Filter valve when not in use

[kwaping]

I have a bleed valve on my compressor and two more on my GX filter. Is it better to store all these things with the bleed valves opened, closed, or it doesn't matter? I'm thinking in terms of what keeps the insides more dry. I live in California where the regular air is not too humid.

 

[WorriedMan]

I always start compressor with both bleed valves, along with one on water-coalescing filter, open. Prior to shut-down re-open all three and run compressor a few seconds to expel moisture. All three remain open when compressor not in use. WM

 

[Trucker3573]

Interesting question. First thought was it doesn’t matter but it can’t hurt to keep ambient air out of your filter cartridge. I would say keep them closed. Can’t hurt

 

[AlanMcD]

Interesting question. First thought was it doesn’t matter but it can’t hurt to keep ambient air out of your filter cartridge. I would say keep them closed. Can’t hurt

I agree that ideally you would want to isolate the desiccant from ambient air, as it will pull moisture out of it and reduce its life that way. Also, there may be water droplets in the compressor (post compression) and in the hose to the desiccant filter, and those will get adsorbed by the filter too. The ideal for the filter would probably be to separate the line from the compressor and then cap the input to it with some kind of dead head to seal it off (I never saw a female dead head anywhere, so I made my own out of a female foster fitting and a hex grab screw as a plug and it works), and cap the outlet too, easiest done with a dead head to the female foster fitting that connects to the tank.. Obviously I'd close the bleed valve on the filter too.

But I think I'd leave the bleed open on compressor, at least slightly to reduce compression on the face of the seat, and then leave the line out uncapped for it to breath and let any remaining liquid water evaporate too.

Just my guess on what would be best . . . .

 

[BSJ]

Everything downstream of my GX style filter stays open.
There is a check valve on the filter inlet. Filter outlet gets a dead head. Top filter bleed gets closed. Bottom filter bleed gets left open until dry.
I installed a female QC so the hose between the compressor and filter gets removed and left open.

I purge after every fill.

 

[BriarpatchMtn]

My setup is a bit different because I deal with good bit of humidity so I went a bit over kill. Because mine takes alot of air I leave some level of pressure in it. And because of all the o-rings involved I consider it like an air gun which kept under some pressure.
I always bleed moisture out of (1st inlet) center condolence filter during and after use. It has a one-way my foster fitting so can disconnect from compressor. Blue filter has color changing silica, Gold has moleculer seave, which I change periodically but don't want exposed to ambient air. Compressor bleeder I always leave open after use to dry.
It's simply what works best for my circumstances, plus made it portable so I can take to my range for direct filling a big bore.