Plumbing in air dryer questions

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I just picked up an old Johnson Controls refrigerated air dryer that works.  I have a few questions about plumbing it in.  It is an A-4210-1.What is the best way to hook it up.  Come out of the tank into the cooler, out of the pump into the cooler into the tank, ????  The papers that came with it show it being hooked up to the tank, but I have seen some guys run out of the pump through a bunch of line, and then back to the tank to cool the air.  Would this be needed with a dryer?The unit has an oil filter and an auto drain condensate canister.  I plan to run through a good TP style filter as well after the cooler.For reference, my use is with a plasma table and small blasting cabinet.Any input or suggestions is appreciated!
Reply:Here's a link to a thread that has some of the details of my setup:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=47000I have my dryer between the compressor and an 80 gallon storage tank. I got the tank for free from a dude who's compressor that threw a rod.
Reply:I'd recommend putting it downstream of the storage tank.I come off my receiver (tank) to an Ingersol Rand PACE regulator, where my line pressure is reduced to 120 PSI.  The feed then leads up to the 3/4" pipe distribution line.  About 10' downstream, I plumned in the chiller (series of ball valves so it can be in line or not).  I use a drop line at each feed point which have their own regulators.  (The drop line is just an extension so any moisture left in the system can condense and drop to the lowest point.Especially if you're running a two stage compressor (175 PSI+), I wouldn't recommend putting the chiller between the compressor and the receiver.  Not too many chillers are rated for that kind of pressure.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:SundownIII, I'm not running the dryer between the compressor and the receiver... the air would be way too hot. I have 120 gallon receiver tank on the compressor and an 80 gallon tank after the air dryer.  If you look at the thread I have a couple pictures. It works well. I check the drain on the storage tank and it's always bone dry. I do drain a fair amount off the first drain on the copper line headed to the dryer but the drop at the dryer is dry. I image if I reversed the dryer and the storage tank it would give the air more chance to cool and the dryer could pull a lower dew point. I think the cooler air is before the dryer the better. What do you think?
Reply:Thanks guys!  forhire, thanks for the link.  Good info.I probably should have said, my compressor is an old Speedair 2 cylinder single stage with 80 gallon upright tank.  I think it is 7 cfm @ 90.  Not huge, but it hasn't had any trouble keeping up with my plasma.  So, it sounds like I am fine with it right next to the compressor and tank?  The way it is now, there is a 6' line from the tank to the dryer.  I do plan to add an auto drain on the tank.  I'll have to keep an eye out for another tank to add after the dryer.  That is a good idea.So, one other question I came up with.  The dryer just has a plug.  I am assuming that it is made to just plug in and let it run as long as I am using air and unplug it when I'm done?  I tried calling Johnson Controls, but all the guy would tell me is that it is an obsolete unit and that nobody could tell me anything about it
Reply:Originally Posted by JustmeThanks guys!  forhire, thanks for the link.  Good info.I probably should have said, my compressor is an old Speedair 2 cylinder single stage with 80 gallon upright tank.  I think it is 7 cfm @ 90.  Not huge, but it hasn't had any trouble keeping up with my plasma.  So, it sounds like I am fine with it right next to the compressor and tank?  The way it is now, there is a 6' line from the tank to the dryer.  I do plan to add an auto drain on the tank.  I'll have to keep an eye out for another tank to add after the dryer.  That is a good idea.So, one other question I came up with.  The dryer just has a plug.  I am assuming that it is made to just plug in and let it run as long as I am using air and unplug it when I'm done?  I tried calling Johnson Controls, but all the guy would tell me is that it is an obsolete unit and that nobody could tell me anything about it
Reply:Well, yeah, I was actually going to put a switch on it.  I guess what I meant more was, it wont hurt to just have it running even if I'm not running a lot of air through it?  I shouldn't need to run over and flip it on and off every time I'm using air, right?Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk
Reply:It shouldn't hurt anything to leave it running because it can only get so cold inside. It does take electricity so there's no sense in having it on if you're going to spend two hours blowing crap out of some old equipment, but if you need dry air every so often during the day for some other project, it makes no sense to constantly turn it off and on either.
Reply:Ok, very good.  Thanks a bunch for the help guys!