Regarding water in the Bricklin door system - water condensate forms when
compressed air is expanded to a lower pressure which reduces the gas
temperature and results in condensate. In the Bricklin air door the air is
transferred from the pressure tank to the pneumatic cylinder at very nearly
the same pressure. Consequently the condensation problem is essentially
non-existant at most conditions. Some condensate may form when the relative
humidity approaches 100%. When the gas is exhausted from the cylinder to
ambient (atmospheric) pressure you should expect to see condensate forming
at the outlet port of the exhaust valve. However, this should not be a
problem.
Andrew
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From: bricklin-owner
To: bricklin
Subject: Air Compressors
Date: Friday, December 12, 1997 3:16PM
Gentlemen,
By the way, there are two additional things you need to consider for the
compressor system whether its vacuum powered or electric.
You probably need some sort of an air dryer for the compressor. This is
necessary if you expect to avoid corrosion in the air door system. The
types of dryers you find on large stationary compressor systems aren't
appropriate as they are usually just water traps that depend on the
water vapor condensing along a pipe run and collecting at a deliberately
established low point in the system. Whenever you compress air it gets
hot and any water vapor in the air won't condense out until the air
cools.
The short tubing runs inside a car probably won't allow the compressed
air to cool sufficiently to release the water vapor before it reaches
the air storage cylinder and possibly the valves and and door pistons.
The only thing that probably protects the valves and pistons is any
grease that has been applied and this will eventually succumb to any
water that collects leading to corrosion inside the system where it
isn't visible.
One type of dryer that would be more appropriate is the dessicant type
that removes water vapor from the incomming air stream with an absorbant
material. These sometimes have the exhaust air for the pistons routed
back out through them to "recharge" the dessicant , but may require
periodic replacement or heating to make sure they are absorbing the
water vapor.
Does the system Terry Tanner sells have a dryer? Does anyone have a
compressor that has one? Does anyone know if there is a water trap or
drain anywhere in the system?
The second desirable feature for the compressor is an oiler that
introduces an oil mist into the air stream. Shop compressors sometimes
don't use oilers because they contaminate the air for painting, but
compressor systems that are used to run air tools and machinery like
pistons usually have an oiler. Obviously, the oil must be topped up
occasionally. A good oiler might compensate for lack of a dryer, but if
water collects in the system, there will eventually be corrosion.
Any thoughts or experience with these things? How many people have
found corrosion inside their air door system?
George Schiro
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