Desiccant Air Dryer

[harryball]

I need a Desiccant Air Dryer and I've come to find they range from about $150 to around $800,498,394,982.99 for the Government endorsed model.

I exaggerate... but I don't want to save a dime to spite a dollar buying a POS.

I'd like something where I can recharge the beads and is in the $200 to less than $400 range. I've found several but no real reviews. What's the most confusing is I find the exact "same" thing for $220 to $600. They look the same, say the same...

Wisdom, reviews?

/RB

[larry_r]

Why not a refrigerated dryer?

Larry

[harryball]

$$ and size.


/RB

[Gary Campbell]

Rob...
I have owned one of the lesser expensive brands. Similar to the Arrow 8121. It worked fine. However, over the long run, (1.5 yrs) replacement parts (filters, etc) were not readily available. The salty air in the Keys contributed to a "science project" of crystaline corrosion in every reservoir. The corrosion restricted flow, and was naot visible as it started inside the bronze filters.

I would pay double the "$221 to $361 at 36 stores" to get a better one with bronze filters readily available.

[bleeth]

Harbor Freight sells a refrigerated air dryer that is rated for 5HP for under $500.00. I have been using it on my 10HP IR for near two years. I placed a small "auxilliary" 12" fan blowing on it to help keep it cool. Once in a while when we have been running DA's constantly for quite some time it will overheat and kick out. Let it cool, hit reset, and away we go!!

http://www.harborfreight.com/compressed-air-dryer-40211.html

[jerry_stanek]

how big is your compressor? Take a look at the Harbor Freight dryer they have a good return policy if it doesn't work.

[harryball]

I have a 2HP belt drive upright, 30 gallon about 5-6 cfm. It keeps up with everything we do fine. I have a filter with a separator but when spraying we eventually get moisture in the line. The small inline desiccant filters give us about 1 days painting.

I see the refridgerator for $400... I don't have any more shop floor real estate. We're trading places with equipment now just to walk around.

Interesting find a Harbor Freight
http://www.harborfreight.com/desiccant-air-dryer-97686.html

For $40 if that did the job until I can get into a larger shop it couldn't hurt. I think I could make something like that.

More things to ponder...
Thanks for the input.




/RB

[bleeth]

Don't know the details of your shop layout but I put the dryer above the compressor on a shelf so as not to take up more floor space.

[gene]

I also have been running a harbor freight refrig air dryer for a few years with no problems. It has been on for at least a year 24/7/365 . I run 2 7.5 80 gal compressors that are connected so that there is a 160 gal cap air storage . This makes them cycle lesser . So far so good :)

[gene]

I forgot , When and if you buy one from harbor freight first buy a poplar science or poplar mechanics mag, In the back there will be a 20% off any single item coupon . That should help some:rolleyes:

[Gary Campbell]

That makes it less than I paid for the dessicant dryer, a couple gallons of dessicant and shipping.

[harryball]

I bought one of these dryers from Harbor Freight. For those that have one... HOW do you drain the water from the unit?

The bulb in mine fills up and I have to dissasemble the thing to empty it. Surely something is wrong.

(no "and don't call me Shirley" jokes :) )

/RB