I bet this has been addressed before,, but since I have a fairly new hitachi EC-12 compressor,, Is there something I can add to the tanks to prolong their life? I should have bought a Rol-Air,, but couldn’t find one when I needed it. I learned after the fact about problems on breaktime,, but it seems to be a good unit,, as long as you keep it close to the outlet.
Anyway,, anyone add oil or? to the tanks? Of course I’d want to be sure it wasn’t going to gum up my new fleet of milwaukee guns!
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Replies
I wonder if the compressor manufacturer could answer that question.
I think you're asking about ester oil, like they use in propane tanks and in car A/C units.
Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR Construction
Vancouver, Canada
collarandhames,
I have used Fluid Film in compressor tanks with no apparent effects on the tools. The condensate will come out of the compressor smelling like Fluid Film for a year afterwards. I believe that spray has prolonged the life of a couple of compressors by years.
Ron
Thanks! I'll look up fluid film. Kind of grosses me out that my new compressor shoots red water already!
d
In my experience compressors invariably shoot a fair amount of blow-by oil into the tank, so I wonder if you need worry about adding more. Every time I empty out the condensate it seems to be about 95% water and 5% oil. Is this enough to prevent tank corrosion? I don't know...
Scott.
Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.â€
I put oil in and around the inside of the valve on the bottom. I don't know if it helps but I did it anyway. The first several times you drain it the water has oil in it.
Collar,
You can NOT add anything and simply drain it DAILY as is most likely suggested by the manufacturer. If you follow that instruction religiously, it will last a lifetime or more.
gk
If you do add anything then be sure to add a water and oil separator/filter to the air line right at the compressor. A lot of my guns are "oil less" and the excess oil in the lines will cause damage.