Got a great deal on a new Arrow Desiccant Dryer

Chris_Hamilton

Trying to be the best me, I can be
Needed a new desiccant dryer as my old one of the same make (Arrow) was corroded and leaking. I'd already "JB Welded" it one time so I figured get a new one. Looked around for the same model I had and Zoro Tools had the best deal by far, $122.66 + tax for a total of $129.16. Free Shipping. This is like a hundred dollars cheaper than I could find it anywhere else and includes the desiccant. This is the 2 quart model (D12-04XL ) Rated flow is around 30 CFM and it is a high quality piece and made in the USA. Best thing is the desiccant is reusable, so you don't have to buy the expensive filter packets like with some of the Devilbiss ones and others. It will save lots of money in the long run. Combine this with a first stage water coalescer, and second stage oil coalescer, and you've got a nice system for significantly less money than say the Devilbiss DAD-500 three stage system (which is around a $1000). Only drawback is that it is shipped from the factory and takes a few days longer to arrive. Mine took nine days from when I ordered it to when it arrived today.
If you need one now would be the time cause who knows how long it'll be priced that cheap.

Link to the dryer: https://www.zoro.com/arrow-pneumati...scfm-2-qt-12-d12-04xl/i/G7821005/#description

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I use the reusable blue desiccant in my system canister, well worth it. It is amazing to watch it go from pink to blue in the oven.
I get it from McMaster-Carr: 2181K97 - 10lb. They have 1lb and 5lb quantities also. I've had in the oven about 3-4 times and its not breaking down yet.
 
The arrow is a JR. Techincal brand perhaps the best quality
Great buy, they use to make a lot of things for a motor guard but dont know if still do or not.
 
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Chris, how long does your desiccant last? Do you just use your dryer for painting? Just curious. We replaced a couple of air systems where I work a couple of years ago and I was able to build a dryer that holds about 25lbs. Got the coalescer and the particulate filter to go with it. I have been using it for all the air in my home shop over a year and haven't changed it out yet and have been surprised that I still have dry air.
 
Chris, how long does your desiccant last? Do you just use your dryer for painting? Just curious. We replaced a couple of air systems where I work a couple of years ago and I was able to build a dryer that holds about 25lbs. Got the coalescer and the particulate filter to go with it. I have been using it for all the air in my home shop over a year and haven't changed it out yet and have been surprised that I still have dry air.

Have any pics of your DIY build? That sounds like a great option.
 
I just changed my desiccant today. It holds a five gallon bucket full. The small filter at the bottom is a water separator. Air enters it and the bottom of the dryer. Air leaves the top of the dryer and goes through the filter at the top which is a particulate filter to pick up any dust from the desiccant. It’s been in service over a year, might be two years, with all my shop air through it. I have done a lot of sand blasting, running air tools and priming since March on a full restoration and I felt like I was oust my luck so I changed it out today.
 
I thought I posted a picture so apparently I don’t know what I am doing. I went to attach files and uploaded the picture. How do I add the picture.
 
I thought I posted a picture so apparently I don’t know what I am doing. I went to attach files and uploaded the picture. How do I add the picture.

After you upload the pic you have to choose to insert either a thumbnail or full size image. Try again??
 
I just replaced my 15 Year old Devilbis desiccant dryer with the big Arrow unit last year. My old unit had a bolt running up from the bottom to hold it all together, and bolt was almost rusted away. I like that the Arrow unit goes together with a top threaded ring just like my Hankinson filter. It makes it easier to get apart, and seals up much better. My only complaint is the size of the sight glass. It is hard to see into the unit to check on the color change. While I was replacing it, I re-plumbed my air system, so the desiccant only serves the spray connections. My general shop air gets dry enough with just the refrigerated dryer, and I will not have to regenerate my media near as much!:)

Regards, John McGraw
 
Think this is necessary if a refrigerated dryer is already in place? Any other practical way to reuse the desiccant without using the full-size oven in the kitchen? lol
 
Ok I didn’t think so. I was contemplating buying the HF dryer. Cheap I know, but I’ve actually heard some decent things about them. I’m just a small shop. My current setup is a devilbiss desiccant can, and it’s seen better days. And buying the bag full off desiccant gets old after a while. So was a toss up between HF dryer or this arrow desiccant. Wasn’t keen on using the kitchen oven to rejuvenate them though lol. Any other smaller appliance that I could have at the shop that would work?
 
I use an old roaster oven like this one to dry my desiccant. I don't remember them being this expensive though, I think I picked mine up 5 or 6 years ago during a black friday sale for 30 bucks. Turn it up to 250 and let it bake for about an hour, pink to blue easy peasy without making my wife mad!
 
I use an old roaster oven like this one to dry my desiccant. I don't remember them being this expensive though, I think I picked mine up 5 or 6 years ago during a black friday sale for 30 bucks. Turn it up to 250 and let it bake for about an hour, pink to blue easy peasy without making my wife mad!
To save a buck, try the thrift stores and garage sales! Those things show up all the time.
 
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