Journal Artical - BAD IDEA!

[JIMRPT@aol.com]

In a message dated 22/03/04 11:48:14 PM, cmpiano@comcast.net writes:

<<  but my caution is that each clamp along the wall

or ceiling will create a loop allowing moisture to collect. >>

This is in regard to 'air hose' runs..............In theory this is correct 
but as usual theory and reality don't needfully always conincide. :-) A well 
designed air system has at least two moisture traps....one placed close to the 
compessor and one placed at the working end termination. These traps will 
sufficiently  remove any moisture which is trapped in the supply line. As with any 
material used for air line 'air hose' should be installed such that a drain 
direction is well established...taking any "loops" into account of course.


<< The rigid

copper tubing should be installed with about 1/4 inch per foot drop.  Each

low spot can be fitted with a drain.  Moisture then will be expelled.  A

compressor running continuously will heat the air and hot air will carry

moisture through the traps.  >>

 Unfortunately copper tubing creates its own moisture/condensation droplets 
as the air entrained/moving heats up and cools down and thus a copper system 
requires more in the way of moisture traps than any other piping system that I 
am aware of. Copper is a terrific conducter of heat/cold and thus is always 
either heating or cooling the air as it passes through the line. Of course you 
could insulate the lines but that just raises the cost higher. A well designed 
copper system is great ..........but the cost of such is the highest of any of 
the options.


In my opinion the best air system has black pipe for the runs....second best, 
plain galvanized pipe......third best, copper well insulated.......last 
choice would be air hose.
That being said my air system is constructed of air hose. :-) I have two runs 
of aprox 30 feet each with a rise from the compessor of aprox three feet to a 
system of two regulators and moisture trap....I have a regulator and a 
moisture trap at the working end that is used for spraying. This sytem has worked f
aithfully, and without moisture problems, for many years.

 With any system attention paid to draining air tanks and moisture traps on a 
regular basis is a must.

 PVC......... With PVC there is a possibility, as has been mentioned, of 
"catastrophic failure" and this is true but.........failure of PVC can be 
addressed at its most common cause....that being sunlight caused brittleness. PVC 
installed should be painted ,completely, to stop this UV caused deterioration.  
PVC has another very undesirable cahracteristic and that would be the creation 
of 'static electricity' caused by air movement within the lines. This can be 
very dangerous. This can be ameliorated by a good grounding system completely 
sepearate from any electrical circuit grounding system.
 That being said the PVC air supply system would be my very 'last' choice and 
only used as a matter of short term neccessity. I know that there are 
advocates of the PVC sytems but due to the brittling and static problems I choose not 
to use the stuff..............
My thoughts.
 JIm Bryant (FL)