Solenoid valve on air compressor?

[Sequoia]

My air compressor periodically cycles and runs even during very long stretches where there are no customers. I noticed this during some recent heavy snowstorms while I was doing some wash maintenance and while there was zero business. (another problem ....)

I found and fixed a number of small leaks, and now the compressor cycles less than it used to. But it still cycles. I presume there is a continuing leak somewhere-- but I can't find it. In the mean time I'm burning electricity and compressor hours.

Does anyone use a solenoid or equivalent that shuts off air pressure right at the compressor outlet unless one or more bays is running? Seems to me if I added this right at the compressor outlet I could tolerate small and (so far) impossible to discover leaks downstream from that.

 

[MEP001]

It sounds like a good idea that would be easy to implement. Something as simple as the load out from each timer to a multiplexer that controls a solenoid would do it.

 

[Randy]

I’ll bet your air leak is coming from the Tank Check, this is very common problem. That’s the check valve that is screwed into the tank that the air pump line goes into. If it leaks by it will drain the tank in no time. Put a ball valve on the tank outlet and see how long it takes for the pressure in the tank to drop, you might be surprised at how fast it will drop.

 

[sparkey]

I would think this would cause a lot of lost time that customers won't like when they are selecting functions that use air pumps. When I am working on an airline and turn the air back on afterwards, I am surprised by how long it takes for the air pressure to charge all the lines back up again. The air pumps might not operate correctly for 5-10 seconds or more.

 

[pitzerwm]

Another option if you have the room, find another tank and plumb it in, so when it runs it runs less and longer.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I would think this would cause a lot of lost time that customers won't like when they are selecting functions that use air pumps. When I am working on an airline and turn the air back on afterwards, I am surprised by how long it takes for the air pressure to charge all the lines back up again. The air pumps might not operate correctly for 5-10 seconds or more.

If you don't have a leak, the lines from the main solenoid to the pump should hold presssure. Aren't the pumps dead headed to the solution solenoids bank for each bay?

 

[Rudy]

Ditto what Randy said. They get crud in them after a while and need a cleaning....

 

[Sequoia]

Leak

I finally, finally found the source of the elusive leak.

The first thing on the output of the air compressor was a device I added about 5 years ago to trap and drain moisture. Although it was still fitted tight and the connections were not leaking, the plastic bowl / sight glass which allows you to see if there is moisture present had developed a hairline crack. I only found it because the crack must have increased as I could hear a slight hiss when the equipment room was quiet.

This plastic part does not move, so my best guess is the years of pressure increase and decrease finally fatigued the plastic.