YouTube - Compressor Blows Up

[MasterSolenoid]

Any way this could have been prevented?
Maybe reduce the tank pressure as it ages. 90 lbs. instead of 120 lbs.
Fortunately, my small compressor (two gallon) has an aluminum tank.

I always thought oxygen tanks are pressure tested (with water), and the test date is stamped on the tanks.
Some go back quite a few years.

 

[jhellwig]

Drain the water. Don't even have to watch the video to see that.

 

[Wylie6G72]

I have a small Husky 3-gal that's at least 11 years old. Always stored indoors, but I I don't always take the necessary measures to make sure all the moisture gets out when the air is drained. The valve is positioned where you have to tilt it forward on its feet and rock it side to side to get the water to roll toward the valve as the air passes through. When I do it, the water is red. I keep wondering if I should just drop it in the dumpster and get something new before it takes my head off one day.

 

[spasm3]

Looks like a weld around the drain bung. I'd say it leaked previously, and or rusted from water sitting in it. Welding weakened the metal around it.

 

[TnT_M]

Looks like a weld around the drain bung. I'd say it leaked previously, and or rusted from water sitting in it. Welding weakened the metal around it.

You should not weld on a pressure vessel. It can be very dangerous like this video.

Just my $0.02

 

[CDX825]

Keep the water drained out is the most important thing. I have bought two new compressors in the last 15 years. First one was a 60 gallon and the one I currently have is an 80 gallon. Both of them when they were new I sprayed fluid film inside of the tank as best I could. Ive never had any rusty water drain out of either of them so it has to be helping. Tanks can also be hydro tested if they are old and questionable. You use pressurized water instead of air that way if it does leak or rupture it doesn't go off like a bomb.

 

[TheLastWord]

ASME tank? Required in CA. How about elsewhere?

Wouldn't mean much with that amount of rust. Sheer negligence.

 

[spasm3]

Keep the water drained out is the most important thing. I have bought two new compressors in the last 15 years. First one was a 60 gallon and the one I currently have is an 80 gallon. Both of them when they were new I sprayed fluid film inside of the tank as best I could. Ive never had any rusty water drain out of either of them so it has to be helping. Tanks can also be hydro tested if they are old and questionable. You use pressurized water instead of air that way if it does leak or rupture it doesn't go off like a bomb.

Can you use a HVLP gun or paint with that compressor, after spraying oil in it ?

 

[CDX825]

Can you use a HVLP gun or paint with that compressor, after spraying oil in it ?

Have never used it for painting. If I was going to paint I would have a motor guard air filter in line. I already have a refrigerated air dryer that takes care of the moisture.

 

[Number_35]

I was going to say 'Don't they have a safety valve?' but then realized the tank likely blew at less than rated pressure.

So yes, likely internal rust.

 

[clinebarger]

I was going to say 'Don't they have a safety valve?' but then realized the tank likely blew at less than rated pressure.

So yes, likely internal rust.

I'd be curious if the pressure relief valve was present & working.

 

[97K15004WD]

Follow up by the video OP:

 

[demarpaint]

Can you use a HVLP gun or paint with that compressor, after spraying oil in it ?

I wouldn't want to air up tires with it, or come to think of it, power my air tools either.

 

[wpod]

Any way this could have been prevented?
Maybe reduce the tank pressure as it ages. 90 lbs. instead of 120 lbs.
Fortunately, my small compressor (two gallon) has an aluminum tank.

I always thought oxygen tanks are pressure tested (with water), and the test date is stamped on the tanks.
Some go back quite a few years.

It is not an oxygen tank it, is a made in China compressor

 

[CDX825]

I wouldn't want to air up tires with it, or come to think of it, power my air tools either.

Why? You assume the fluid film migrates with the air and gets into everything? Because it doesn't. My compressed air setup provides cleaner dryer air than what most professional shops have.

 

[demarpaint]

Why? You assume the fluid film migrates with the air and gets into everything? Because it doesn't. My compressed air setup provides cleaner dryer air than what most professional shops have.

If you say so, I'm going to pass on the idea for now and do more homework. I know a lot of people who paint with them for a living and they wouldn't do it. I'll revisit the topic with them.

I have two compressors, one is IIRC a 12 gallon Craftsman compressor I have since the early 80's. Not one drop of rusty water comes out of that tank when I drain it. The same goes for the 7 or 8 year old 60 gallon tank compressor I have.

 

[atikovi]

On my 15 year old 60 gallon vertical compressor, I drain it every year or two whether it needs it or not. And I keep the pressure around 140 psi. If it does rust, I assume it will form pinhole rust spots on the bottom causing a slow air leak, not an explosion.

 

[spasm3]

On my 15 year old 60 gallon vertical compressor, I drain it every year or two whether it needs it or not. And I keep the pressure around 140 psi. If it does rust, I assume it will form pinhole rust spots on the bottom causing a slow air leak, not an explosion.

Someone welded the bottom of the tank at the drain. Metal weakened from the heat and penetration of welding.

 

[theGripofBigMoney]

He said it was like a hand grenade. I bet it was closer to 10 hand grenades. 26 gallons of a gas at 120 PSI is an enormous amount of energy.

 

[meep]

I returned a brand new HF compressor which I really liked after realizing it had no ASME placard on it. Ended up with something from TSC that does. The water does come about a little brown. There’s always a little in it, just by using it. It’s humid where i live. I can see retiring in after 10-15 years just based on knowing these things do rust out, though I agree, the one above looks to have had some welding done on it.