Does it hurt to leave the compressed air in a small compressor for any length of time?
Talking 120 lbs in a 5 hp 20 gal tank, no tools attached?
Sorry moderators.
It sits in the living room (along with 2 engines now) so better safe then sorry.

 

the tank is made to store air ...wont hurt a thing...just be sure it is out of the way...where it cant be knocke over or into...

 

My compressor has had air in it for nearly 20 years now. The only time it's been unpressurized that I can recall is when I had to replace a check valve and pressure switch.

In a somewhat related story, consider the comparison between the old Douglas DC-3 and the not-quite-as-old Lockheed Constellation. The DC-3 was a lower altitude, non-pressurized cabin. The "Connie" was a slightly larger, pressurized cabin. There are literally hundreds of DC-3s still in service around the world, even though they are approaching 70 years in age (1936 launch). There are probably no Constellations flying, if many are even left. Every time the Lockheed took off, the cabin would pressurize, make altitude, then depressurize on descent. That constant fatigue on the cabin caused them to fail mechanically and become unsafe. The DeHavilland Comet experienced this so badly that some broke up in flight from the fatigue. Obviously, the passengers didn't appreciate this. The DC-3s just keep flying as long as the engines can be rebuilt.

The moral? Cycling the pressure up and down is probably worse than just leaving it pressurized.

 

that is totally understandable on a rivetted/bolted airframe, but on welded air tanks I don't think it's the same thing. not to question lord vaders judgment (please don't use the force on me!), I don't think that is comparing apples to apples. after all, look at a submarine, welded seams,pressurized and de-pressurized and they're still going strong and I think they have been around since at least the time of the before mentioned planes.

by the way, you can call me Luke Skywalker LOL

 

Thanks... I feel better