Thread: How long can you leave air in compressor tank???

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If I filled a compressor with air in the daytime.
Can it be left until the evening?
overnight?
How long before you are supposed to draiin it?
I know your not supposed to leave it pressurized.

Sure you can leave it pressurised overnight, or even a day or two.

Leaving tanks pressurised is not recommended for a couple of reasons, firstly it reduces seal life and secondly its a safety hazard, So its best to make sure that you isolate and clearly identify it as pressurised.

I would make sure that you turn the compressor off though, few people realise how expensive compressed air is as a power source until they develop a leak and find that their compressor pump has been running for a few days trying to maintain tank pressure.

To give you a little perspective, In an industrial setting compressors are pressurised 24/7 and only get depressurised for maintenance

Just to add to what phenoix uk said. Its equally important to drain the tank perodically. there should be a drain valve on the bottom of the tank twist open the valve and let all the air out you may see some water along with the air. This is why your draining the tank to get the water out so it will not rust the inside..

Not to argue any points , But I have a 80 gallon tank compressor, 220 volts ,and I have it filled all the time @ 120 psi. I do try to drain it at least once a month but not always do it. I have had this compressor for 20 years, and not a problem So I really don't know that there is a problem with storing air for any period of time.

It is considered to be a safety hazard a pressurized 80 Gallon tank will contain a hell of a lot of invisible stored energy which could be the cause of an accident.

If It is a real compressor and not some pos that has been piece mealed togethr it is not a problem. In the states all pressure vessels have to meet a standard that states the maximum pressure that it can contain. These standards are usually 125% over the operating pressure of the compressor output.

Originally Posted by bfjou812

If It is a real compressor and not some pos that has been piece mealed togethr it is not a problem. In the states all pressure vessels have to meet a standard that states the maximum pressure that it can contain. These standards are usually 125% over the operating pressure of the compressor output.

That is only the tank, you are not considering the risks posed by valves and fittings, you are not considering the historical data of accidents which involved people working on or near compressed air vessels without realising that they are pressurized, nor are you considering the risks to the emergency fire crews that may have to enter a building that contains a pressurised vessel.

All the PROPER valves and fittings are and should be rated accordingly. I am talking about PROPER valves and fittings, not door closers, water valves ,etc. I do agree that there is a potential of something happening. But the odds of that happening are very slim. I personally have never heard of the scenerio you have stated, not that it couldn't happen....but the odds are very unrealistic. I work in an industrial enviornment and we run 3 150 hp compressors 24/7 without a problem.

Originally Posted by bfjou812

All the PROPER valves and fittings are and should be rated accordingly. I am talking about PROPER valves and fittings, not door closers, water valves ,etc. I do agree that there is a potential of something happening. But the odds of that happening are very slim. I personally have never heard of the scenerio you have stated, not that it couldn't happen....but the odds are very unrealistic. I work in an industrial enviornment and we run 3 150 hp compressors 24/7 without a problem.

Many accidents are the result of unrealistic odds.

All scenarios I have described are documented in numerous safety bulletins, and I've personally seen several examples, I guess the differences is that I work in dozens of factories that each use dozens of compressors and accumulators.

Anyway, I'm trying to explain the reasons behind the advice, if you don't approve of the advice and or reasons then thats your issue, it doesnt change the advice or reasons behind it.

I would like to see the reports that you are referring to , it could help me to do a better job. I am by no way trying to discredit you or your points. I have worked with pressures up to 5,000PSI. I do realize that there is a possibility of something happening ,but again I am stressing that all the components that are in a compressed air system are designed for compressed air and not some home made cylinder ,valve,etc.