Hey everyone

**Livyx** · Oct 3, 2016, 08:47 PM

Hi group. Registered to find some cool stuff and hopefully contribute something worthwhile.
-zach

**Jon** · Oct 4, 2016, 10:58 PM

Hi zach - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

What are your hobbies?

**Livyx** · Oct 5, 2016, 12:24 AM

Hi Jon, a little bit of everything, really. Mostly automotive related things though. I'm always being kept busy with my 65 Lincoln so I'm on here to see what kind of tools and tricks I can pick up. I stumbled upon the site while looking for a DIY solution to get clean, dry air into and out of my compressor. Store bought stuff is always so expensive! I like to see reasonable solutions from regular folks!

**Dwendorf68** · Oct 9, 2016, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by Livyx

I stumbled upon the site while looking for a DIY solution to get clean, dry air into and out of my compressor. Store bought stuff is always so expensive! I like to see reasonable solutions from regular folks!

I've been working on the same issue. From what I've read and been able to figure out on my own, the only effective way to dry the compressed air is to cool it first. That is why they build expensive air cooling machines for this purpose. I also don't want to spend a fortune to do this. My idea is to use a college size refrigerator to build one. I would run the line directly from the compressor head into a coil inside the refrigerator. I would run the coil through a water, tank inside the refrigerator, to take advantage of the liquids ability to remove heat much faster than a gas.

Next the pressure line would run from the coil, outside of the fridge, into a drying canister. I would build the canister myself, because I want it to be much larger than standard sizes are, but one could purchase one. HF sells a divilbiss knockoff that I have used with good success.

Finally the pressure line would run from the canister into my compressor tank. That way, the moisture is gone before it gets to the tank, and the air is cool in the tank, which should give the tank a slightly larger capacity.

The only problem I can think of, is that the refrigerator would have to turned on all the time, to maintain the temperature of the water. It shouldn't raise your electric bill much, but I'm sure it will be noticeable. Right now, this is all theory for me, but when I get a chance, I think I will try it. If anybody can improve on this idea or give me a reason why it wouldn't work, please let me know.

**Jon** · Oct 5, 2016, 09:18 PM

Did you solve the compressor issue? Need a hand with anything?

**Livyx** · Oct 6, 2016, 02:44 AM

No, I haven't come up with a solution yet. I am trying to get something together to get as much moisture out of the air before it goes into the tank. So, basically, an aftercooler. If you know of any good ones, post up some links!

**roadman5312** · Oct 9, 2016, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Livyx

No, I haven't come up with a solution yet. I am trying to get something together to get as much moisture out of the air before it goes into the tank. So, basically, an aftercooler. If you know of any good ones, post up some links!

Check this out.

**bartl** · Oct 9, 2016, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by Livyx

No, I haven't come up with a solution yet. I am trying to get something together to get as much moisture out of the air before it goes into the tank. So, basically, an aftercooler. If you know of any good ones, post up some links!

It's tough to get the moisture out between the pump and tank as you have to provide a place to collect and drain off the moisture, as well as significantly cool the air to condense the water vapor into a liquid, but you really don't want the air to be below the ambient temperature when it's ready for use....

I might start by trying to find a scrapped out portable pancake or submarine compressor, like a contractor would use for a nailer, and grab the 2-gallon tank to use as the collection tank, and the condensor from a car air conditioning system. Mount the condensor so your compressor cooling fan is drawing air through it first, then pipe the air from the pump into the small tank into a stand-pipe protruding about 1/3 of the way into the tank and pulling the air right out the top. Add an automatic drain to the bottom and water separator(s) to the outlet line from the main tank.

All-in-all, I don't know if I'd go to this much trouble unless I lived in the swamps somewhere.... what I'd typically do is mount some loops of baseboard radiation to a sheet of plywood on the garage wall and let gravity go to work with drains from the bottom of each loop at the bottom. Add a water separator and that's usually good for most climates.