Air Compressor Repair – How to Replace Unloader Line on Air Compressor

So I did it! And it turned out not to be the problem...

Things to note:

• You may need a rubber mallet to remove the old gas control valve.
  • I had to bang on the T junction pipe to the left of the valve to get it unscrewed

• Here is the joint compound that I used

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• I also used teflon tape.

• Start by wrapping the teflon tape into the threads of the compression fittings 2 or three times
• "Frost" the threads of the male ends of the fittings liberally; a little too much joint compund (pipe dope) won't hurt
  • Try not to get it inside the pipe however, so stay away from the very very end of the connector

And of course, be sure to turn off your gas when working with it, drain your water heater if it is an older style model (like mine) and be careful putting everything back together.

My problem: My problem ended up being the thermocouple. The replacement pilot light assembly I had installed just 8 weeks ago ended up having a faulty thermocouple. Obviously I should have taken more time to test the thermocouple rather than spending all the time and money on a new valve. Ah well! I'll be putting in a new anode shortly and hopefully I will get another 3-5 years out of this water heater. Enough time to take care of the freon line when the budget allows...

Also worth mentioning, I found an identical gas control valve from a vendor on Amazon. Ever since I got the new pilot light assembly in place it has been working just fine.

It's relatively easy to find UV resistant compressor hose from many manufacturers. It's also important to note the "resistant" aspect of the description. Solar UV is quite destructive and I doubt any manufacturer would consider the product to be UV proof.

Encasing your UV resistant hose in a UV opaque tube, conduit, enclosure would substantially reduce the destructive effect of the sun's UV rays. Most compressor hoses are quite durable in all temperatures and you should note that the manufacturer's specifications will include recommended temperatures. Rarely are those figures outside of human habitable levels.

I cannot comment on how to determine if an enclosure selection would be UV opaque, although black colours are usually a better choice than white and other lighter colors. I have personally observed white insulated wiring deteriorate in sunlight over a period of months, while the black insulated equivalent lasted years.

If flexibility is a requirement, one could purchase a (likely expensive) larger diameter UV resistant hose and slide the smaller working compressor hose within.

Even a selection of plumbing grade PVC will provide protection. According to this link of somewhat limited content, a coat of latex paint will increase the UV resistance and lifespan of ordinary PVC pipe.

Additional research shows that one can purchase specifically-UV-resistant PVC, saving the need for a coat of paint!

One more tidbit. Black polyethylene pipe can be flexible enough if needed and is available in many sizes and is quite UV resistant. Using grey PVC risks the pipe being mistaken for electrical conduit (in the USA) and is contra-indicated, despite its UV resistance.

Black PE pipe would never be mistaken for electrical and is also going to be reasonably priced, unless it is a rarity in your country.