Corrosion, damage, and decreased quality of the finished product are all potential consequences of condensation build-up in a compressed air system.
System efficiency and capacity are hindered by a lack of proper drainage. Installing an automatic Electronic Drain Valve (EDV) - or multiple drains - as part of your compressed air system is a step in the right direction.
Installation of an Electronic Drain Valve on an Air Compressor
Before we dive into the installation process itself, we will discuss the potential location of your EDV and why those locations will help with system efficiency.
To increase both operational flow and efficiency, drains should be placed in the following locations for a compressed air system in your workshop:
- on the compressed air receiver tank,
- anywhere a drip leg is located within the system,
- on all filters and dryers
Installing an EDV directly on the tank allows liquid to drain. Liquid in the tank could cause internal corrosion and less air storage space. Without a drain, the increased water levels in the air reservoir can interfere with the total volume of compressed air a tank can hold.
Meanwhile, the installation of an electronic drain valve on drip legs removes collected moisture, protects the air stream, and eases the work of air filters downstream.
SPOTLIGHT: Looking for more insight into the use of an EDV? Check out Tsunami’s Moisture Minder Electronic Valve Video below:
Automatic Electronic Drain Valves | What to Know
Depending on your application, you can choose to install an EDV without the optional mounting kit.
It's important to note that installing a Tsunami EDV with their mounting accessory allows for easier maintenance. The kit, with the included mounting bracket, elevates the drain off the floor to provide easier servicing access.
Pro Tip: Have an adjustable wrench on hand for the installation process.
If you do opt for a mounting kit, it provides two mounting options:
- Standard drain bracket can mount directly to a wall. mounting kit, fittings, and line tubing.
- Utilizing the u-bolt assembly, you can mount directly on nearby air piping.
NOTE: Standard mounting bracket comes complete with push connect fittings & tubing to allow for easy installation.
Electronic Drains and How to Efficiently Set the On and Off Time
First, let’s define the ON and OFF times. The ON dial refers to how long the drain valve will stay open (0.5 to 10 seconds), discharging water. The OFF dial refers to the time between drain valve actuation for discharging (0.5 to 45 minutes).
To efficiently set your EDV requires a little patience and observation. It is always recommended to set the ON time between 1-3 seconds and your OFF time to 5 minutes. The observation required is to determine if the OFF interval is too short. If the OFF interval is too short, then the drain will discharge more air than water. This means you must increase the interval time accordingly.
The two settings need to be adjusted to the size of the compressed air system in such a way that all condensate is discharged with a minimum loss of air.
Tsunami's Expert Advice: When not using a Tsunami EDV with integrated strainer, be sure to install a Y strainer in front of your electronic drain to prevent debris from fouling the valve.
Indications You Need a New Electronic Drain Valve Installed
Be aware of potential problems that can occur with your compressed air system, which indicates a new EDV would be a smart investment. These include:
- repeated occurrences of the air compressor turning on and off.
- air leaks around the drain valve
- the compressor runs for a long time without stopping.
This indicates the valve is NOT draining excess water properly, and it’s possible the compressor could be overheating.
Benefits of Choosing an EDV over Other Drain Options
While there are other types of drains available for commercial compressed air systems, it’s important to keep the benefits of having an EDV in mind.
Installing an EDV not only provides control based on timing, but it also eliminates the need to remember to drain the compressor regularly.
EDVs can be beneficial for certain applications that would require the drain to be located off the floor. Workshops, where drains at floor level are exposed to higher levels of debris, or a work area where regulations require drains to be located a specific distance from the floor, are two scenarios that come to mind.
EDV Installation | Consult the Experts
Navigating the right locations for drains on your Tsunami Compressed Air System can be a mix of personal preference and optimal placement. The installation of an EDV will provide some peace of mind in regard to system operation. It is also a good idea to set and follow a preventative maintenance schedule for your compressed air system as a whole.
For any lingering concerns you have about an EDV, reach out to our Tsunami experts.