In-line moisture removal. Question for the group.

I am considering getting back into PCP air rifles and would like recommendations for an in-line moisture removal system for a hand pump. There are no dive shops in my area so I will be relegated to pumping. I had several RAW TM 1000 rifles in the past and did not mind pumping. My concern continues to be sufficient moisture removal. Thank you in advance.
 
I always used this:

Ideally you would use a desiccant filled filter, but the only ones available are the larger ones for the compressors and their volume becomes counterproductive with a handpump because they will require more overall pumps and thus a pump that becomes hot/o-ring failures and so on. Stick to something like the above and dry it out often by unscrewing it and sticking it upside down in a dry place. Clean your pump every month/30 uses as well. People land on two extremes with handpumps, but the trick IMO is to use it in moderation (No 400 pumps in a single go). Try doing 75 pumps, take a 15 min break, do another 75, and then bleed. Start again after another 15 minutes and so on. The larger the filter=more overall pumps and more moisture in the pump at the end of the day. A well maintained pump and a small filter like the above can work fine, but you got to be proactive. Good luck!
-Atlas
 
KW,
Welcome to the forum, glad you've rejoined the hobby. Can't improve much on what Atlas said, he covered everything well. I'd add, don't fall for the pre-pump desiccant filter, on some hand pumps, they're just a gimmick. Also, I almost ruined my first PCP with hand pumping and a 4-inch cotton filled metal filter, tried everything, moisture still got in. I use a HPA compressor now with a coalescing water separator and 3 filters, I might not be, but it feels like I'm being a more conscientious air gun owner. WM
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deleted 45061
KW,
Welcome to the forum, glad you've rejoined the hobby. Can't improve much on what Atlas said, he covered everything well. I'd add, don't fall for the pre-pump desiccant filter, on some hand pumps, they're just a gimmick. Also, I almost ruined my first PCP with hand pumping and a 4-inch cotton filled metal filter, tried everything, moisture still got in. I use a HPA compressor now with a coalescing water separator and 3 filters, I might not be, but it feels like I'm being a more conscientious air gun owner. WM
Yeah the prepump (intake) filters are completely rubbish. I like Hill Pumps a great deal but that filter doesn't work...it is only the output side of things that matter. Thanks for the assist @WorriedMan !
 
  • Like
Reactions: WorriedMan
This is the one I use with my compressor and also can be used with a hand pump as well

3B11434B-E1A6-43CF-88FE-DE5AE9A6308A.png
 
This is the one I use with my compressor and also can be used with a hand pump as well

View attachment 283426
small filters require more maintenance maybe daily dry outs , they usually come with replacment 's so you could change out filter media after use let dry and reuse inserts , Thats what i did .
 
Used one of the small cotton filters that @AtlasAirguns mentions. At first it would get quite wet, but I started bleeding the pump every ~50-75 pumps & much, much less moisture made it to the filter.
Moisture condenses & collects at the bottom of the pump right where the bleed screw is, but the volume available to it is very small- if overwhelmed, it has no place to go but through the fill whip.
Frequent bleeding of the pump seemed to keep the vast majority of water from ever reaching the filter, let alone the gun.
For what it's worth, was inside a couple of guns I hand pumped for a long time, & saw no signs of moisture or moisture related damage in the air cylinders or valve systems.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rcarlisle