Hello, is it imperitive to have a moisture trap while using an air compressor? I have a badger 360 and compressor, I do not have the moisture trap though. Will I run into many problems without one?
Steve
I live in a land of moss, ferns and fungi. Rain is a constant companion, especially in the winter. For nearly 4 decades I have sprayed without a moisture trap. I finally broke down and bought one a couple of years ago. I have never had anything drain out when I open it. I don’t know…did I really need it? Probably not.
However, we don’t really see the high humidity here like one might find in the SE states or the midwest during the summer. So I guess it depends on where you live.
I live in NC and we can have some pretty rough humidity here at times. But like the previous post, I purchased a moisture trap for my compressor. I have maybe a few drops of moisture collect just every so often while painting. I have heard that a gravity trap like I have needs to be a good distance away from the compressor so that the moisture has time to settle at the bottom of piping and be pushed into the trap.
That depends on many variables: Humidity, air pressure, length of time compressor runs, even the kind of compressor. The gravity style traps are cheap, I bought mine for less then $10. You only have to experience a ruined paint job once to appreciate the value the trap provides. It’s kind of like driving around without a spare tire. You might go for years, decades even, without a flat, but you only need to be caught once without it to wish you had one!
I live in Southeast Asia and it is extremely humid here (average about 87-90%).
So it is imperative and a must to have moisture trap. Mine has two traps.
Heck, even before I turn on my compressor the plastic tube on the compressor gauge already condensate it self, especially now it is raining season.
You may want to check the humidity on where you at and determine from there should you need it or not.
Ben
I lived in Florida for years and the humidity in the summer caused condensation in my spray line, causing several damaged paint jobs. It wouldn’t happen all the time. I solved my problem by converting to CO2. I can paint in 100% humidity on a 100 degree day and I won’t have problems with water in the lines.[;)]