oxyhacker
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Exessive moisture is ALWAYS a problem with compressors since they concentrate the moisture in the air until the air is super-saturated. In the stone age they figured the mechanical separators could take care of the moisture. and had just a tiny media stack with a little carbon in it, but mechanical separators are never 100% efficient so some moisture would always get through, along with some oil. Nowadays it has been realized that carbon alone just isn't enough and a filtration systems will always use a chemical dessicent, usually 13X, in the last stage of filtration to remove any water - and oil and other bad stuff! - that makes it past the mechanical separator. Without this the air cannot be considered safe to breathe, no matter how dry your garage may be.
Adding proper media stack can be gut-wrenching expensive, as many divers gloating over a terrific deal on an older compressor have learned to their dismay - often more than the compressor cost in the first place. Some DIYers have made cheap stacks from $30 surplus hydraulic accumulators or other HP vessels but thats not a job for beginners. You might be able to find a used media stack - the smaller 1 lb. stacks are pretty much generic these days. Another good choice, if you could find one used, would be a 3-in-1 filter like the Bauer PO used in on most newer small Bauers.
As a temporary measure, some of the old carbon-only refillable filters are large enough that you can hand pack them with both carbon and dessicent but you will get very short filter life - maybe 10 tankfills per charge.
Adding proper media stack can be gut-wrenching expensive, as many divers gloating over a terrific deal on an older compressor have learned to their dismay - often more than the compressor cost in the first place. Some DIYers have made cheap stacks from $30 surplus hydraulic accumulators or other HP vessels but thats not a job for beginners. You might be able to find a used media stack - the smaller 1 lb. stacks are pretty much generic these days. Another good choice, if you could find one used, would be a 3-in-1 filter like the Bauer PO used in on most newer small Bauers.
As a temporary measure, some of the old carbon-only refillable filters are large enough that you can hand pack them with both carbon and dessicent but you will get very short filter life - maybe 10 tankfills per charge.
