What filter to get for my Shoebox?

[ronmcc4]

I have a Shoebox compressor that I use to fill my 71 cubic foot tank. The Shoebox is a few years old and still runs great but is pretty slow of course. I’ve never bought a moisture filter for the output side and know I need one. The only place I know to look is Joe Brancato’s shop where I got my tanks. His filters are undoubtedly good but they are also expensive at $400. I don’t know what the alternatives are or where to start looking.

What output filters are you using or could recommend?

 

[biohazardman]

I have one of these on my Yong Heng it werqs well and is inexpensive. Filter carts are not overly expensive to replace either. You can choose the media in the filter. I just went with the three media cartridge.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32891898253.html?spm=2114.search0302.3.69.73bf4d65ql6Jva&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_0,searchweb201603_0,ppcSwitch_0&algo_pvid=5c11fb93-95ec-437a-9ed4-7fd441a5ac86&algo_expid=5c11fb93-95ec-437a-9ed4-7fd441a5ac86-10

 

[Skydivingmiami]

I went with one of these. 

 

[airgunfans]

I went with one of these. 

Doesn't look like rated for 4500 psi ......

 

[ronmcc4]

I want something you can drain the moisture out of. The aliexpress one doesn't look like you can do that. So far I haven't found anything that can compare with the airtanksforsale.com one.

 

[BigTinBoat]

I went with one of these. 

Doesn't look like rated for 4500 psi ......

It's not, that one goes on the input. With the SB it is easier to filter the air "prior" to compression.

 

[Skydivingmiami]

I went with one of these. 

Doesn't look like rated for 4500 psi ......

It's not, that one goes on the input. With the SB it is easier to filter the air "prior" to compression.

Correct this goes before the showbox. This one is only rated for 150psi. So I'm filtering the air coming in from my compressor to the sb. 

 

[ronmcc4]

My understanding - which is based completely on YouTube videos by Joe B and not from experience - is the more the air is compressed the more moisture comes out of it. So a filter between the shop compressor and the Shoebox would be some moisture out but the Shoebox compresses the air a lot more which would get out more moisture so you need a filter on the high pressure side.

Does that stand up to the groups experience here?

 

[Skydivingmiami]

Check out the desicant filter on top of this setup. This is from joe b website. Looks simple enough for me. 



I completely understand about the higher pressure creating more moisture in the air. Got to find a filter to remove this moisture to fit your needs. 

 

[BigTinBoat]

My understanding - which is based completely on YouTube videos by Joe B and not from experience - is the more the air is compressed the more moisture comes out of it. So a filter between the shop compressor and the Shoebox would be some moisture out but the Shoebox compresses the air a lot more which would get out more moisture so you need a filter on the high pressure side.

Does that stand up to the groups experience here?

Gotta wonder why (sales) someone would tell you that. The amount of water in the air prior to the compressor, is the same after the compressor. The shoebox is a bit different then a stand alone compressor in that it would be hard to remove the water at the input of same because it is not under pressure. With the shoebox, the first stage compressor pressure against the low pressure filter allows it to remove the water, prior to entering the shoebox. Make sense?

 

[BigTinBoat]

I completely understand about the higher pressure creating more moisture in the air. Got to find a filter to remove this moisture to fit your needs.

If you understand how higher pressure creates more moisture please explain it to me as I can't seem to figure out how it can "create" more moisture

 

[ronmcc4]

The moisture isn't created - bad choice of words on my part. I'm just going on what I've seen in Joe B's videos - I'm certainly no expert and have no first hand knowledge. His videos are on YouTube (Joe Brancato). He is obviously trying to sell his filters of course.

What I think is that there is a certain amount of moisture in the air. The harder you squeeze (pressurize) the more of that moisture you will get out. Like squeezing a damp cloth - if you squeeze it lightly you get some moisture out. If you squeeze it really hard than you get more moisture out. I know there is a drain on the bottom of my shop compressor and when I empty the tank (I don't keep it pressurized) there is a lot of water that drains out.

This could be all wrong. I just don't know and am trying to get info.

 

[bandg]

I think you've got a pretty good handle on the idea. And I'd recommend listening to Joe Brancato.

 

[Skydivingmiami]

I completely understand about the higher pressure creating more moisture in the air. Got to find a filter to remove this moisture to fit your needs.

If you understand how higher pressure creates more moisture please explain it to me as I can't seem to figure out how it can "create" more moisture

Apparently I'm misinformed by reading above 

 

[ronmcc4]

I completely understand about the higher pressure creating more moisture in the air. Got to find a filter to remove this moisture to fit your needs.

If you understand how higher pressure creates more moisture please explain it to me as I can't seem to figure out how it can "create" more moisture

Apparently I'm misinformed by reading above

I’m thinking there is some misinformation somewhere anyhow. Skydivingmiami - where did you get your filter? I’m thinking of going that route.

 

[Eaglebeak]

IMO, those low-pressure filters are virtually useless. More condensed water will collect in the hose than in one of those traps. Water is not created when pressurised. It is already there. It is just squeezed out of suspension because water is not compressable like air. The best place to separate the water is where it is under the most pressure. If you want a separator with a bleed to drain it, you are looking at something that will cost nearly as much as your booster. There are plenty of cheap options on eBay or AliExpress that will satisfy your needs. Just remember that the larger the filter that you use, the more total loss air will result so overkilling with filtration will shorten the life of your booster. 

 

[airgunfans]

I would say the best set up is to have a water seperator that can be bleeded at the output of the shop compressor ( or input of the Shoebox ) to remove the bulk of water. I wont recommend to use dessicant filter here because quite a lot of water is produced at this point so the dessicant will need be replaced frequently. 

After further compression by the Shoebox, some more water will be squeezed out but the amount will be small enough to be absorbed by a dessicant filter at the output of the Shoebox. This design is used on Yong Heng and proven to work very well. 

 

[dreamweaver]

Here's the setup that I use for my shoebox. I have a new shop compressor not shown in the pic that runs at 125 psi into 5 micro filter/water separator. Then I use the big Wilkerson desiccant filter, followed by another 5 micron filter/ regulator.

Most of the water that's in the air is squeezed out in the shop compressor as its pumped to 125 psi. The big Wilkerson desiccant filter does a great job treating what moisture is left. You can typically pic these up on Ebay for around $100. I do regenerate the beads a few times a year. I haven't noticed any signs of water at the output of the shoebox. Also to note that given the shoebox low flow rate, the water separators don't actually catch any water. They're in there primarily for sediment filtration prior to the shoebox. I considered a high pressure filter after the shoebox, but after over a years worth of running, I dont think it's necessary. 

 

[ronmcc4]

For what its worth - I read over my Shoebox documentation tonight. Its from a Shoebox I bought in 2012. The documentation recommends a regular hardware store air compressor filter between the shop compressor and the Shoebox. It even says you can find these at a hardware store.

 

[airgunfans]

For what its worth - I read over my Shoebox documentation tonight. Its from a Shoebox I bought in 2012. The documentation recommends a regular hardware store air compressor filter between the shop compressor and the Shoebox. It even says you can find these at a hardware store.

I am assuming that you have got one installed already ? They are inexpensive and is a standard add-on for shop compressors.