Hey all, I have a decent sized Husky compressor from Home depot, my question is, when Im finished using it, I unscrew the bottom to let the water/air out...

Now, am I supposed to leave that vent open when Im not using the compressor?

whats better for keeping moisture out?

 

Closed Up

 

I leave it open, have always been taught that. Never had any problems in the 5yrs I owned mine.

 

I always leave mine open as well when storing.

OT, but the funniest thing I ever saw was when I started working construction with a new company. I noticed when I started the air compressor air was already in the tanks and asked the guy I was working with if he usually drains the tanks everyday when cleaning up. He said he never drains them. Opened the petcocks and at least a half gallon of rust water came out

 

Haha, that's hilarious... Hope they are not using that tank for painting.

So still conflicting opinions, open or closed... up for more thoughts

 

I usually just drain mine whenever I'm building the air up, or when I'm done, then close it back up.

 

actually, any metal volume should be "open" or vented somehow, especially in an enviorment with changing temps and humidity.

 

I say closed.

Drain it first obviously then close it so no more moisture can get in and rust the insides. Where I live it's like sub-tropical. It is always humid here or raining for a week at a time. I know the volume of ambient pressure inside the tank will be subject to air pressure changes with temperature and changes in barometric pressure. However, if a tank can hold 200psi what's 2 or 3 when it heats up? I just want my stuff closed because of the friggin rain we get around here, and all my compressors are outside becuase they are so big.

 

interesting - maybe it is more climate dependant -

we have rapid shifts in temps and humidity, kind of like when you take a cold one out of the fridge on a hot day - and vice versa.

maybe the volume being truly sealed is part of the equation too - it seems like some units make water like moonshine while others really dont generate that much moisture.