New Compressor, need advice on plumbing

[ReformedPistonhead]

Morning all,

I just got myself a nice compressor, three phase screw Kaeser Airtower, second hand but only 200 hours on it.



I want to plumb it all in to my barn (which is around 20m x 60m), putting a mixture of simple take off points and some reels around the walls.

It comes with a 3/4” fitting.

I could of course pay for a professional to do it properly but fancy giving it a go.

Any advice on what fittings to buy and where from? I think the push on’s are only OK up to 10 bar and the compressor does 13bar.

[Zulu 10]

I've plumbed my barn with Prevost fittings from Pipestock https://www.pipestock.com/prevost

They're rated to 16 bar.

You'll need a rubber tail from the compressor to the static system, then a water trap and a quarter turn tap. After that you can add to your heart's content.

Don't forget to add support brackets and a locking spanner to the shopping list.

[ReformedPistonhead]

Great thanks very helpful

[Belle427]

Maybe a combined air lube/filter/regulator at the start too.

[GAjon]

I’d do it in standard BSP galv pipe and fittings, a hand threader will easy do 3/4” and 1/2”.

But whatever you use make sure you run drain offs and take all your feeds off the top of the header.

I don’t run a ring, only a small garage but we did make a drier loop to dry air for spraying.

[biggiles]

As said, blue (water) pipe is spec'd to 16 bar and is often used for air. If you use 25mm/32mm pipe (or bigger) then it adds up to a fair volume of stored air, which can be good for running machines.

Make sure the pipes can be drained. Perhaps avoid any horizontal pipes.

Edited by biggiles on Saturday 7th March 16:53

[kambites]

I wired our garage up with normal copper water pipe with soldered joints and it's been fine for the 10ish years it's been in. I mounted water traps on the wall at each outlet (since they are the lowest points) with the air fittings screwed straight onto the water traps.

[JoshSm]

There is a strong argument for copper pipe - it's easy to get, easy to get fittings for, easy to work with (forming/jointing), corrosion resistant, smooth & seamless, antimicrobial, and will take more than enough pressure.

Lots of other options exist for pipes for air but it is an obvious one.

[ReformedPistonhead]

Thanks to all.

I am no expert in pipe flaring nor flux so was hoping to go plastic and add drains.

But maybe this is a good excuse to learn!

[Belle427]

Ed China did a fast fit style product on his you tube workshop diaries channel but I cant seem to find it.

[MDT]

I did my garage with 15mm copper pipe, with compression fittings was nice any easy and zero leaks or any issues in 11 years. If I was to do it again I would do the same thing. Big one to remember is to ensure you use a large diameter flexy rubber line from the compressor to the hard pipe, as this then ensures there is no vibration from the compressor transferred to the hard pipe.