dissicant dryers.Do they work?

[boink117]

Was looking in grainger book at dissicant air dryers and was wondering if anyone is useing one.Are they used by themseles or in conjunction with something else?Seems that some can be dried out and reused and some have to have the drying material replaced at what appears in some cases to cost more than the unit.Which type works the best?Do they work at all?If these things work it looks like a good solution for around a hundred bucks.

[ShelbyCSXT]

quite often the dessicant can be oven dried so that you can re-use it. If the unit's cartridge wont allow for baking, then modify it so that you can remove the dessicant for baking, then replace into the cartridge.

[boink117]

Seems like the type that can be reused would be the way to go.Are you useing one?If so,how do you like it?

[GYLONG]

Our Avionics and Seat Shop used to microwave their dessicant. They'd know it was done because it would change colors when it was dry.
Semper Fi,
GYLONG

[bzer1]

I currently use an air dryer, but have used dessicant in the past and it works really well. You have to keep in mind that you will need to keep it maintained and you shouldn't have any problems. I would reccomend also putting a water seperator inline before the dryer though. Water seperators with a paper filter are cheap buy and replacement filters are cheap as well, and can make the dessicant last quite a bit longer.

[boink117]

Originally Posted by bzer1

I currently use an air dryer, but have used dessicant in the past and it works really well. You have to keep in mind that you will need to keep it maintained and you shouldn't have any problems. I would reccomend also putting a water seperator inline before the dryer though. Water seperators with a paper filter are cheap buy and replacement filters are cheap as well, and can make the dessicant last quite a bit longer.

Sounds like the way to go.thanks

[Livinincolor]

Boink117, Make sure you post the type you get and how well it works for you so that others can bebefit from your experiences!
Mike
Sho Me Coatings

[Livinincolor]

I haven't been able to keep this thread out of my head since I read it as I know first hand how important prep and dry air really are!!!!
I am thinking about buying dessicant in bulk and making a filter out of 2" PVC. Glue on a cap on 1 end and a screw on cap on the other end. Both ends will have air nipples for the hoses.
I may make several, 1 for the air we use for the PC gun and a bigger one for the PA Blaster we are just about finished with.
Of course, we already have the other type of air/water seperator inline which will cut down on moisture that must be absorbed by the dess.
Having a removable end will allow the dess. to be emptied and dried/replaced.
The only concern I have is how much pressure the PVC cannister would hold!
Any thoughts on this before I race off to Home Depot?
I have also read that the plumbing that is between the unit using the air and the compressor has a LOT to do with how much moisture ends up at the end of the line and we are seriously looking at that as well. ( I even talked to Johnny about running the air line through the office which is always air conditioned as we store our powder there.) Houston is very humid and moisture abounds!!!
Mike
Sho Me Coatings

[pickleboy]

Originally Posted by Livinincolor

The only concern I have is how much pressure the PVC cannister would hold!
Any thoughts on this before I race off to Home Depot?
Mike
Sho Me Coatings

i would do more research on the pvc first. typical water line pressure for pvc or cpvc is around 60 psi. if you do not plan to exceed that then it will probably work. for full line pressure do the same idea but out of galvanized or black pipe. alot more money but better still would be schedule 40 304 stainless.

[Livinincolor]

I was thinking out loud there. I couldn't do stainless, unfortunetely, not set up for it. Welding would be involved there. I still may make a small drier with PVC for the PC gun.
If I could find a ready made cylinder that I could adapt to a dess filter, that would be a big help!
Mike
Sho Me Coatings