Detailed writeup on how to correctly use the Alpha Dryer/Filter

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sharroff

sharroff

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Nov 19, 2015
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Canton, Ohio, United States
A gentleman on the forum sent me a PM asking for a detailed write up on how to use the Alpha correctly (his message below):
  • Another member of AirGun Nation contacted me and asked me how to use the Alpha – the blind leading the blind!!! If you have the time would you go through the procedure on how you use the Alpha Air Filter with your compressor? My friend (another Viet Vet)and I both own the Omega Super Air Compressor. If you could be as detailed as possible it would be very much appreciated.

First, Thank You For Your Service! And second, of course I will!!

Here is the air pressure left in my tank at the end of this weeks use (I fill up for the weekend). Take note of your remaining air pressure in your tank before you start.




Close the valve on your tank and bleed off the pressure in the line using the tanks bleed valve. Then disconnect the tank from your regulator/gun or whatever it was filling.



Connect the tank to the top of the Alpha - but leave the tank valve closed. That brass piece you see on top the Alpha with a vent hole is a one way valve. If you have no pressure in the Alpha and you open the main tank valve now you will put a lot of stress on it and can damage it. Yes, I learned this the hard way...thank you Joe B for the repair. You will know it is damaged if air leaks slowly out the vent hole on the one way valve.



Connect the hose that is attached to the bottom on the alpha to your compressor.




Stand your tank and the Alpha upright to ensure the moisture flows down with gravity



The tank gauge (valve still closed on the tank) and the Alpha's gauge should both be at 0. Start your compressor. From now until many steps later when you open the main tank valve, DO NOT leave the area to do 'something else quick' especially if your compressor does not have a very reliable auto shut off. 



When the gauge on the Alpha gets to about here, 


the one way valve on top the Alpha starts to open. You will notice the gauge on the main tank start to rise (a bit faster than when actually pumping into the tank).



At about 2000 psi on the gauge on the Alpha, the Alphas one way valve should be fully open and the main tanks gauges should match as the Alpha is now freely flowing air.




Your main tanks valve should still be closed at this point and you should see the pressure on the Alphas gauge and the tanks gauge continue to climb together.

Keep the main tanks valve closed until the main tanks gauge reads 100 to 200 psi past where the main tanks remaining pressure was at when you started 



Now than the Alpha has more pressure than your tank, open the valve on the main tank. You will see the main tanks gauge drop back to it's initial pressure.



Let your tank continue to fill until it reaches the desired pressure level. When there, turn off your compressor. Then close the main tanks valve fully. Open the vent valve on the main tank to release the pressure between the main tank and the top of the Alpha. Tank gauge should drop all the way down to zero. There may be a small amount of air that continues to leak from the top of the Alpha down the line to your main tanks vent. That is fine, and you will probably see 1800 or so PSI left on the Alpha's gauge. That is the one way valve (brass piece with the small vent hole) working as designed.

At the bottom of the Alpha there is a small knurled knob and a small vent hole. Depending on where you are, you might want to have a towel or something in font of the vent hole to catch the moisture and lubricants from your compressor that made it into the Alpha during pumping. If you want to try and catch these in a glass to see what's getting caught, open the knurled knob at the bottom of the Alpha slowly. You will probably get a teaspoon or so. If you'd rather just blast that stuff out of the Alpha, open the knurled knob quickly. Be ready for a loud whoosh.




And there is your detailed write up! If there is anything that is unclear, let me know and I'll update it.

I'll take a +1 on the accuracy tab if this met your needs.
















 
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Thank you for your service. Ed!

I originally had a Shoebox Max but quickly decided to upgrade to the Freedom 8 for the extra capacity and electronic shutoff (it is a lot quieter). It's a great unit if you don't mind letting it run for an hour plus to recharge a tank. If you are looking for something between the price of the Max and new Freedom 10, send me a PM and we might you a good deal on a lightly used 8.

 
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I thought I would post this info in hopes to help, The top post is great on the Alpha and I bookmarked this as it is very helpful.
This is in addition to that post in case someone is not clear about it,sorry no pictures, but with these 2 post this should clear up any problems you may come across. I edited this post as it was worded like I typed all these instructions and that is not the case, They were emailed to me from the manufacturer of the air filter


1) Parts of the Filter and their Function:
a. The Alpha Filter is a 3 stage Filter SYSTEM, with condensate drain section at the bottom (input) Filtration Cartridge (center), and Pressure Check Valve above (top, at the output). 
b. The condensate section is necessary, to prevent ruining the filter media. Bottom line: Filter media is designed to trap the remaining water VAPOR after the condensate has been drained. Without the condensate drained, either the media would absorb the condensate hygroscopically or via direct contact. If this happened, the media would immediately become saturated and useless.
c. The Stainless Steel Condensate Drain valve at the bottom can be opened to allow the trapped water (condensate) out of the filter after filling a tank.
d. The Alpha Filter has a 0-5000 PSI gauge mounted on the Condensate Drain, to monitor input pressure from the compressor.
e. The Alpha Filter has an easily replaceable breathing quality filter element that removes water, oil, particulates, etc. from the air as it passes through the filter.
f. For a filter to work properly, the air must not rush through it, and also have proper pressure while filtering. The Alpha filter has special valving on the output that is designed to allow pressure to build prior to air flowing out of the media. One will see the pressure build up to approximately to 1800-2200 PSI before the air starts to pass through the filter media. This is critical and also gives the media the chance to scrub the air. Without this, the filter would be significantly less effective.

2) Operation of the Filter
a. The Alpha Filter (like all quality high pressure fitters) must be mounted vertically to operate.
b. Connect compressor to input of filter (bottom end). Shoebox version has a hose, while Alpha/Omega/Mrod version has a Foster male quick disconnect to connect to hose of compressor.
c. Connect 4500 PSI tank to output of filter (top end). Typical output is male Foster male quick disconnect to connect to hose from air tank. Filter can also be supplied with hose and bleeder to connect directly to airgun, or tanks without a bleeder.
d. Ensure condensate drain on filter (bleeder) is closed to prevent air from escaping while filling tank
e. Turn on compressor and allow pressure to build up in filter. 
f. SLOWLY open valve from tank that is to be filled.
g. Input gauge will reach 1800-2200 PSI allowing media to more thoroughly scrub air before allowing air to pass out of filter media.
h. ALWAYS PURGE CONDENSATE AFTER EACH USE.

3) Maintenance Replacing the Filter Element Cartridge
a. ENSURE FILTER IS DEPRESSURIZED by opening Condensate drain at bottom of filter. 
b. Unscrew TOP cap (end with Gold-colored valve). After initial quarter turn to loosen it, filter cap should not be unusually tight and come off fairly easily. If cap continues to feel resistance to turning, confirm filter is not under pressure. If cap is very tight, call at 714-907-0067 to confirm you are doing it right. We ALWAYS answer our phone after the first ring or two, so be safe and spend a few minutes making sure all is well.
c. Remove Filter Element Cartridge removed from the top. The replacement Filter Element is inserted o-ring last. Screw on top cap completely.
4) Re-heating the beads and putting them back in the cartridge does work a bit, but this only brings back the capacity to 80%. A brand new element is cheap insurance.
5) SAFTERY TIP: NEVER put lose beads in the Alpha Filter (or any filter). Beads emit acid when they absorb moisture. Beads in direct contact with the pressure vessel will eventually weaken it, which could be catastrophic. That’s why beads are ALWAYS contained in either a plastic or stainless steel tube to prevent contact with the pressure vessel. One could put NEW beads in a used, clean filter element (but storing the beads and ensuring the don’t absorb moisture once the package is open must be ensured, or the media will be ruined.
6) Should you have any questions on the operation of your filter, feel free to call at 714-907-0067 from 8AM-8PM Pacific. Take care, and happy filtering!!!!
Phone number provided if you need more info on the Alpha Filter should you run into problems.. Take it Lite! Pete (AB)

 
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FredSG said:
Hello,

If you plan to add air DIRECTLY to a gun through the Alpha filter from your compressor, you will need a second bleeder near the top . . . can a second bleeder be added? I think you would need the second bleeder to release air from the line once your gun is filled. How would you do this? Anyone have the directions?

FredSG
Click to expand...
Yes. I just got an alpha filter from Joe Brancoto. Will take a photo tomorrow but my Alpha filter has a bleed screw on top and on bottom allowing me to fill tank (Bottom Bleeder) or fill an airgun directly (Top Bleeder Screw. I saw nobody answered you so i just last week recieved my Alpha Filter. Its massive and it is designed to really work. ANDREW who works for Joe is the guy i talked to about this so i highly recommend Andrew if you need to discuss anything regarding the filter. In my opinion that Alpha filter is a must have on most of the shoebox compressors. They are not cheap at about 400 dollars and prob thats more than the cost of many shoebox compressors. Hope that info helps ya!
 
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