Need help building/understanding a proper filtration system

[Lynx]

I will preface this by saying that my needs are a bit different as I am an airsoft user that transitioned to an HPA platform; the amount of mostly educated knowledge on here convinced me it's the best place to ask (especially a user by the name of "Humdinger")

My plan of action:

1. Buy a Tuxing compressor, specifically the TXET062.

2. Purchase a Tuxing Golden Filter.

3. Properly assemble the filter with the best medium.

I will need the above mentioned set-up to fill 0.8l, 3000 PSI bottles so, with these in mind details, here are my questions:

1. On the compressor's page it says it works without oil, so why should I bother with filtering mediums targeting that as well? Isn't water from compression the singular issue?

2. From my understanding, mediums such as activated charcoal are "gimmicky" in the sense that you don't care about odor or similar aspects, just moisture, meaning you'd only need molecular sieves, as they are more efficient than silica gel beads, especially at high pressures, right?

3. The user I've mentioned says you need a good "water separating tower" before this filter, but what even is that? Just another filter full of cotton, so that the bulk of the moisture is stopped before the second filter?

 

[SpreadLead]

The thing I didn't think about when I added a larger tuxing gold molecular filter to my small compressor, which is pretty much the same compressor as you mentioned, was the increase in air volume seriously increased the fill time. So don't go crazy big, granted I just got a large compressor so the filter is perfect for it with a cotton pre filter. A lot of the extra filtration is more for scba and scuba. In which you absolutely want the cleanest air. I ran my small compressor many times with just the included cotton filter and never saw any water inside my guns cylinder. Never let it get hot and always purge.

 

[Lynx]

The thing I didn't think about when I added a larger tuxing gold molecular filter to my small compressor, which is pretty much the same compressor as you mentioned, was the increase in air volume seriously increased the fill time. So don't go crazy big, granted I just got a large compressor so the filter is perfect for it with a cotton pre filter. A lot of the extra filtration is more for scba and scuba. Which you absolutely want the cleanest air. I ran my small compressor many times with just the included cotton filter and never saw any water inside my guns cylinder. Never let it get hot and always purge.

View attachment 519099

When you say purge what exactly do you mean? Just disconnecting the filter to let it drain?

 

[SpreadLead]

Just bleeding off the air, place your filter higher than your bleed valve if possible and any excess water will drain down.

 

[Lynx]

Just bleeding off the air, place your filter higher than your bleed valve if possible and any excess water will drain down.

But what did he mean by "water separating tower"?

 

[WorriedMan]

Copper-colored water-coalescing "filter" located against back wall is "water separating tower," I believe.

 

[WorriedMan]

"Catch-22" using water-coalescing filter ($125 eBay) and M50 molecular sieve ($60 eBay) system, as pictured, with waterless, oil-less, multi-power, high speed fan only cooled HPA compressor. Heat is main enemy of compressors and only high-speed fan for cooling limits lifespan to 20-25 hours. Yong Heng (pictured) or CS-GX series compressors use multiple cooling techniques for longer lives. As Goodfast08 said, filling up filters seriously increases fill time, counting against the expected 20–25-hour lifetime. WM

 

[Lynx]

"Catch-22" using water-coalescing filter ($125 eBay) and M50 molecular sieve ($60 eBay) system, as pictured, with waterless, oil-less, multi-power, high speed fan only cooled HPA compressor. Heat is main enemy of compressors and only high-speed fan for cooling limits lifespan to 20-25 hours. Yong Heng (pictured) or CS-GX series compressors use multiple cooling techniques for longer lives. As Goodfast08 said, filling up filters seriously increases fill time, counting against the expected 20–25-hour lifetime. WM

Hold on, but the pictured compressor isn't waterless, as you're literally showing the water bucket for the water pump, right? Moving past that, are you sure he didn't mean just a filter filled with cotton instead of... that? Just seems a bit overkill haha, guess I never expected the whole process ran so complicated. Also, is it true you're supposed to spray silicone oil through a hole leading to the piston before use...?

 

[Lynx]

"Catch-22" using water-coalescing filter ($125 eBay) and M50 molecular sieve ($60 eBay) system, as pictured, with waterless, oil-less, multi-power, high speed fan only cooled HPA compressor. Heat is main enemy of compressors and only high-speed fan for cooling limits lifespan to 20-25 hours. Yong Heng (pictured) or CS-GX series compressors use multiple cooling techniques for longer lives. As Goodfast08 said, filling up filters seriously increases fill time, counting against the expected 20–25-hour lifetime. WM

Also, is what I've said about the filter medium true? That you don't really need silica nor charcoal?

 

[MrP]

Hold on, but the pictured compressor isn't waterless, as you're literally showing the water bucket for the water pump, right? Moving past that, are you sure he didn't mean just a filter filled with cotton instead of... that? Just seems a bit overkill haha, guess I never expected the whole process ran so complicated. Also, is it true you're supposed to spray silicone oil through a hole leading to the piston before use...?

I'm not sure that it has to be so complicated. I filled guns for a couple of years in Oregon which is as humid as it gets without any high-tech filtration and never had moisture issues. The water separator on the compressors did a fine job somehow, maybe because I was only filling air guns directly and not larger tanks. I do have one larger in-line filter with desiccant beads and all of that but don't use it because it didn't make any difference and it greatly increased the time needed to fill my guns. the entire filter has to be pressurized from zero each fill and its volume is comparable to that of the cylinder on my air pistols for example.

I am under the impression that filling tanks as opposed to guns is more likely to result in moisture problems because of greater heat generated during the process - wider temperature swings for everything involved and more condensation issues as a result (maybe?).

 

[Lynx]

I'm not sure that it has to be so complicated. I filled guns for a couple of years in Oregon which is as humid as it gets without any high-tech filtration and never had moisture issues. The water separator on the compressors did a fine job somehow, maybe because I was only filling air guns directly and not larger tanks. I do have one larger in-line filter with desiccant beads and all of that but don't use it because it didn't make any difference and it greatly increased the time needed to fill my guns. the entire filter has to be pressurized from zero each fill and its volume is comparable to that of the cylinder on my air pistols for example.

I am under the impression that filling tanks as opposed to guns is more likely to result in moisture problems because of greater heat generated during the process - wider temperature swings for everything involved and more condensation issues as a result (maybe?).

Well unfortunately tanks will be what I have to fill, so, end of the day, I think it's better to err on the side of caution... if you don't mind me asking, how much greater is the fill time with the big filter on?

 

[WorriedMan]

Hold on, but the pictured compressor isn't waterless, as you're literally showing the water bucket for the water pump, right? Moving past that, are you sure he didn't mean just a filter filled with cotton instead of... that? Just seems a bit overkill haha, guess I never expected the whole process ran so complicated. Also, is it true you're supposed to spray silicone oil through a hole leading to the piston before use...?

Caution was the use of this post-compressor filtration system on the Tuxing compressor you indicated you would purchase. Cotton insert filters will help but counting on them to solve the moisture problem is wishful thinking. Tuxing owners will have to chime in on spraying silicone oil, Yong Heng does not require this. WM

 

[WorriedMan]

Also, is what I've said about the filter medium true? That you don't really need silica nor charcoal?

Here's photo of M50 molecular sieve plastic cartridge with activated charcoal. Correct, activated charcoal is for taste and odor, something a PCP doesn't care about. Two cartridges were provided, initial lasted 18 months, when second cartridge needs replacing, I'll reuse initial one, however, re-filled with desiccant beads only. WM

 

[Lynx]

Caution was the use of this post-compressor filtration system on the Tuxing compressor you indicated you would purchase. Cotton insert filters will help but counting on them to solve the moisture problem is wishful thinking. Tuxing owners will have to chime in on spraying silicone oil, Yong Heng does not require this. WM

100 % correct that cotton isn't sufficient, that's why I've mentioned the golden filter.
The guys at Tuxing said the increase in time won't be a problem as the fan is powerful enough for 3000 PSI... not sure if it's PR babble but even then, I'd rather have it take 20 minutes longer or more, to avoid overheating, than have water in my tank and then into the engine.

As for the silicone oil, they said once every 5 uses (or 1.5 hours, whichever comes first) you have to spray a bit (or drop a bit) into a hole connecting it to the piston, much better and cleaner than dealing with water buckets and such.

 

[WorriedMan]

100 % correct that cotton isn't sufficient, that's why I've mentioned the golden filter.
The guys at Tuxing said the increase in time won't be a problem as the fan is powerful enough for 3000 PSI... not sure if it's PR babble but even then, I'd rather have it take 20 minutes longer or more, to avoid overheating, than have water in my tank and then into the engine.

As for the silicone oil, they said once every 5 uses (or 1.5 hours, whichever comes first) you have to spray a bit (or drop a bit) into a hole connecting it to the piston, much better and cleaner than dealing with water buckets and such.

Each has to determine best path forward, kudos to you for seeking advice, wishing you nothing but the best of luck. WM

 

[Lynx]

Each has to determine best path forward, kudos to you for seeking advice, wishing you nothing but the best of luck. WM

I always will man, and I hope that whenever I come across issues I can confidently post here because I know it's a space filled with knowledgeable people. I'm sure we'll stay in touch haha, the problems with my AEG were never ending, and I think HPA will be no different; not with the gun itself, but with the systems necessary in order to keep it running...

 

[WorriedMan]

I always will man, and I hope that whenever I come across issues I can confidently post here because I know it's a space filled with knowledgeable people. I'm sure we'll stay in touch haha, the problems with my AEG were never ending, and I think HPA will be no different; not with the gun itself, but with the systems necessary in order to keep it running...

Forum rules require 10-day wait and ten quality posts before PM privileges are granted, please don't hesitate to PM, if so inclined, always glad to help. WM

 

[Lynx]

Forum rules require 10-day wait and ten quality posts before PM privileges are granted, please don't hesitate to PM, if so inclined, always glad to help. WM

Much appreciated buddy! I doubt I'll make 10 posts as my engagement with air rifles is 0, but since it's super likely I'll need help in the future with the compressor set-up (hopefully not though haha) would you mind sending me a private message with your discord, if you have one? Or an e-mail? Or anything I could use to contact you in the future, if need be? o7

 

[SpreadLead]

Sounds like you just haven't found the fun of airguns yet and need to go down the rabbit hole All kidding aside, the community here is why I joined. Unlike most places you won't just find opinions and fluff.

 

[Lynx]

Sounds like you just haven't found the fun of airguns yet and need to go down the rabbit hole All kidding aside, the community here is why I joined. Unlike most places you won't just find opinions and fluff.

Haha, for sure sir, the knowledge within this forum is gigantic, although to be honest my use for air guns is kind of limited: I use buckshot/slugs for the occasional hunting with my pops and as much as I'd like to take an air gun to an airsoft event, I'm afraid the others won't like it... at least they won't be able to lie anymore about not being hit... Hahaha