Champion CDS Series Replacement Desiccant Charge – Silica Gel Kit (CDS5–CDS30)
| Specifications (As Configured) | |
|---|---|
 Vendor |
Champion
|
 SKU |
CDS5D
|
| Dimensions | |
 Weight |
2.0 lb
|
Genuine Champion replacement silica gel desiccant for the CDS Series single tower desiccant air dryer. A CDS does not regenerate itself, so the bed is a consumable: when the change-out indicator says the silica gel is spent, you dump it and pour in a fresh charge. This is that charge.
Each kit is supplied as pre-weighed sealed bags sized to the dryer, and every kit contains enough desiccant for two full charges of its model. Buy one kit and you have covered two service events. Select your dryer model from the dropdown above.
Kit Selection Chart
| Kit Part Number | Fits Dryer | Contents | Charges per Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDS5D | CDS5, CDS5F | 2 bags, 1 lb each | 2 |
| CDS10D | CDS10, CDS10F | 2 bags, 2 lb each | 2 |
| CDS20D | CDS20, CDS20F | 4 bags, 2 lb each | 2 |
| CDS30D | CDS30, CDS30F | 6 bags, 2 lb each | 2 |
Contents and charge counts are as published by Champion. Weights shown on this listing are the net desiccant weight in the kit, not the packed shipping weight.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Media Type | Silica gel adsorbent |
| Application | Champion CDS Series single tower desiccant air dryers |
| Packaging | Pre-weighed sealed bags, two complete charges per kit |
| Resulting Dew Point | -40°F when charged in a correctly filtered CDS dryer |
| Genuine Part | Champion Pneumatic OEM, a Gardner Denver brand |
| Shipping Point | F.O.B. Ocala, FL 34474 |
When to Recharge
There is no universal calendar interval, because desiccant life is driven by how much water and oil reaches the bed. A well-filtered drop fed from a properly drained receiver will run far longer between charges than one fed straight off wet shop air. Every CDS carries a desiccant change-out indicator for exactly this reason: watch the indicator, not the calendar.
Signs it is time: the change-out indicator has turned, downstream dew point is drifting up, or you are seeing moisture at a tool or instrument that used to run dry.
How to Recharge a CDS
- Isolate the dryer and bleed it down to zero pressure. Confirm it with a gauge before you touch anything.
- Remove the bowl from the head assembly.
- Empty the spent silica gel. It is not hazardous, but dispose of it according to your site's practice.
- Wipe the bowl clean and check the sealing O-ring and the 15 micron outlet filter element.
- Pour in one complete charge from the kit, using the bag count listed above for your model.
- Reassemble, pressurize slowly, and check for leaks.
Store the second charge sealed and dry. Silica gel will happily adsorb moisture straight out of the air in your parts room if the bag is open.
Keeping the Next Charge Alive Longer
Oil, not water, is what really kills a desiccant bed. Water comes off the gel on the next change; oil coats it and never leaves. If your CDS is fed from an oil-lubricated compressor, run a Grade E coalescing pre-filter ahead of it. The F-configuration CDS dryers ship with one fitted; on a dryer-only unit it is the single best investment you can make in desiccant life. Change that element annually and keep its drain working.
The pre-filter element for CDS5F through CDS20F is a CF20EE, and CDS30F takes a CF35EE. Both are stocked in our Champion CFL Grade E element listing.
Why Buy from Air Compressor Store
Air Compressor Store is an authorized Champion Pneumatic distributor. These are genuine Champion kits, not repackaged bulk desiccant of unknown grade, and they ship with the correct bag count and fill weight for your dryer. Our compressed-air engineers are available if you are not sure which model you have or why the bed is going down faster than it should.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many charges are in a kit?
Two. Each kit holds enough silica gel to fill its dryer twice, so one purchase covers two service events.
Can I use generic silica gel instead?
You can pour anything into the bowl, but bead size, grade and fill weight all affect contact time and therefore dew point, and desiccant fines from the wrong grade will load the outlet filter. The kits are matched to the dryer.
Which kit fits my dryer?
Match the number: CDS5 and CDS5F take CDS5D, CDS10 and CDS10F take CDS10D, and so on. The F configuration does not change the desiccant requirement, only the filtration ahead of it.
Does the kit include the outlet filter element?
No. The kit is desiccant only. The 15 micron outlet element and, on F models, the Grade E pre-filter element are ordered separately.
Is spent silica gel hazardous?
Silica gel itself is not classified as hazardous waste. That said, a bed that has been adsorbing carryover from an oil-lubricated compressor may hold lubricant, so follow your site's disposal practice and your safety data sheet.
NOTE: Actual product may be different from pictured!
Financing Options
Financing Options
We offer Financing Through Many Different Avenues:
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