Air Compressor Release Valve

[rumblecloud]

My DeWalt compressor is great except for one thing:
This:

The release valve is located at the bottom of the tank - which is where it should be. However, There's barely enough room to get pliers to it after I get down low enough to even attempt that. I'm old, things hurt when I try to do stuff like that.
I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one with this issue. So... how have you solved this? I'm guessing some sort of extension - rubber or metal tubing?
Thanks

 

[Curious Hound]

That is what is commonly called the drain valve, where you can allow condensate to drain out. The overpressure relief valve should be somewhere up high.

I removed the drain valve on my compressor and installed an elbow, short piece of pipe and a ball valve that is easy to operate. That extends it out where it is easy to use. I also have a hose that I attach. So that when I drain the tank, the hose extends out in the yard and I don't have to catch the condensate in a pan.

However, if you move the compressor around frequently, that could be a bad idea, since it would be easy to bump and break ot off. Under pressure, that would be dangerous. Another idea, if your compressor is to remain stationary, is to mount it on wooden blocks to raise it up higher. That would make it easier to reach and give you more room to get your hands on it to operate it. Make sure it is screwed to the blocks so it can't vibrate off and fall over.

 

[rumblecloud]

Thanks C!
It does have a pressure relief on top. Thanks for the correction. It's usually stationary, so maybe just raising it would be the easiest route for now.

 

[rumblecloud]

Here's where I am atm. Going to son's tomorrow and he will help me with making a couple short connector lines to finish it up.

 

[Curious Hound]

Looks good to me.

 

[rumblecloud]

Looks good to me.

It's bolted down in the front. If I have to move it, I lift it up forward with the handles and kick the back block out. Then "gently" lean it down on the wheels and roll. Thank you again. R