When to replace air compressor tank.....

[phaxtris]

Buddy in that video welded the drain plug shut...and also said he used the heck out of it...that thing probabaly had 10l of water in it...rusting away

 

[johnnielsen]

I have had numerous compressors over the last 50 years. The worst failure I had was pinholes in one tank.

 

[Dabbler]

I found a 1940s compressor with a piston head for a friend of mine, provided he checked the tank. It was internally coated with what looks kile epoxy paint. There was a teaspoon of rust in the bottom and visueally the tank looked brand new.

I bought a 170s Atlas Copco compressor, and the tank is more than 180 thou thick - even so I'll be running it at 90 PSI instead of the 175PSI it was originally intended for (the test says 250 PSI for operating pressure, I think) As why the reduction in pressure? Because of the greatly lowered stored energy. Faster refils, less dangerous if something bad happens.

 

[YotaBota]

Okay, so you have got me thinking about my compressor. It's a CH 26gal 5hp twin cylinder that is 24/25 years old. It doesn't run every day and it's in a heated shop. It's been a bit (5 or 6 years) since I drained the water out off it and I can't remember if I've ever changed the oil.
This morning I drained a few ounces of clear water and the oil is still nice and clear. At this rate it should last longer than me (hoping that's still going to be a while).

 

[Johnwa]

I‘m not personally aware of any compressor tank explosive failures, but do know of a few historical tank explosions at generating stations. Most of them if not all could be traced to failed or improperly set safety valves. Now a days there’s rigorous maintenance and testing done.
I don’t like the pressure control on my compressor. Raising the ”turn on“ pressure also raises the “turn off” pressure. I’d rather that you could set them separately.