Adding larger tank to small air compressor

[Raise]

I have a small Dewalt model D55140 air compressor, which has no volume whatsoever. I get maybe a few seconds of air before the compressor restarting to top off the tank. I found this Devilbiss receiver tank at a garage sale for $10 and I would like to incorporate it into the system so I can have more tool time and less waiting. I believe it could be a 25 gallon tank, maybe 30. I included a picture of the data plate. The Dewalt tank is 135 max psi and the Devilbiss tank is 150 max psi, so I figure I have to route the plumbing through the relief valve of the Dewalt to make sure the combined air never tried to go above 135 psi. The DB tank has two connection ports, and Im not sure if one is an inlet and one is an outlet or what. Can you guys help me figure out how to plumb this together for one complete system?? Pics are below

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Put 2 female air couplers in your 20 gallon tank. Custom make a short hose with 2 male ends. Connect the 2 tanks. I wouldn't worry about cutoff pressure, the dewalt is lower.
While you will get several extra minutes of working time without the dewalt kicking on, the little compressor will be working much, much longer to fill the bigger tank back up. Buy a better compressor once you've tried out your idea.
The dewalt has a scfm of .75.... A 20 gallon tank will take about 30 minutes to fill to 135psi.

 

[Raise]

Put 2 female air couplers in your 20 gallon tank. Custom make a short hose with 2 male ends. Connect the 2 tanks. I wouldn't worry about cutoff pressure, the dewalt is lower.
While you will get several extra minutes of working time without the dewalt kicking on, the little compressor will be working much, much longer to fill the bigger tank back up. Buy a better compressor once you've tried out your idea.
The dewalt has a scfm of .75.... A 20 gallon tank will take about 30 minutes to fill to 135psi.

Thanks for the help, but there is no connection on the small dewalt tank to accept a hose

 

[Burt Shaver]

That’s my thought, may be easier to sell this compressor and purchase one with a bigger volume and the ability to fill it

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Thanks for the help, but there is no connection on the small dewalt tank to accept a hose

Tell me what that red rubber cylindrical object coming out of the top of the dewalt compressor is... The one plugged into a female air coupler.

 

[PCustoms]

I have a small Dewalt model D55140 air compressor, which has no volume whatsoever. I get maybe a few seconds of air before the compressor restarting to top off the tank.

What are you using the compressor for when this happens?

 

[The Cobbler]

run the dewalt to the auxiliary tank, run your tools off that . there's already hoses on the tank ,providing they have the same coupler you're already set up

 

[KnurledNut]

A couple things to keep in mind about your DeWalt:

The motor has an automatic reset thermal overload protector. If the motor overheats for any reason, the overload protector will shut off the motor. The motor must be allowed to cool down before restarting. The compressor will automatically restart after the motor cools.

Duty Cycle: This air compressor pump is capable of running continuously. However, to prolong the life of your air compressor, it is recommended that a 50%-75% average duty cycle be maintained; that is, the air compressor pump should not run more than 30- 45 minutes in any given hour.

 

[Raise]

Tell me what that red rubber cylindrical object coming out of the top of the dewalt compressor is... The one plugged into a female air coupler.

That is the working hose, that comes off the regulator outlet

 

[Raise]

What are you using the compressor for when this happens?

Blowing the bench off, winterizing the RV, etc

 

[Raise]

run the deal to the auxiliary tank, run your tools off that . there's already hoses on the tank ,providing they have the same coupler you're already set up

Im not understanding. Run the “deal?” What is the deal?

 

[Cruzan80]

Disconnect the "working hose", and plug the black hose quick connect end onto the DeWalt. The red hose end goes into the brass connector on the spare tank.

You do realize the brass sleeve moves to allow you disconnect the hoses, correct?

 

[Raise]

Disconnect the "working hose", and plug the black hose quick connect end onto the DeWalt. The red hose end goes into the brass connector on the spare tank.

You do realize the brass sleeve moves to allow you disconnect the hoses, correct?

Yeah of course i know that. So you are telling me to use the spare tank for the regulated air instead of the intial stored air? The dewalt tank is the initial receiver tank, so that air is before the regulator. Am i understanding what you are suggesting??

 

[Leon bee]

It's just plumbing, buy some fittings- Ts and stuff like that. Just run air over to the other tank.

 

[The Cobbler]

Im not understanding. Run the “deal?” What is the deal?

should have read run the DeWalt

 

[MOS3522]

As posted above, upsizing to a bigger compressor is the way to go. You will run that little dewalt motor into the ground.

 

[GeoBruin]

Yeah of course i know that. So you are telling me to use the spare tank for the regulated air instead of the intial stored air? The dewalt tank is the initial receiver tank, so that air is before the regulator. Am i understanding what you are suggesting??

I'm sorry everyone is either treating you like an idiot, or just being straight up mean. That said, you seem to understand that your compressor has limited options in terms of connecting the tanks directly. Its not as simple as there being a spare bung to just plumb the tanks together. If you want both tanks to function as your receiver (before the regulator) you're likely going to have to plumb the compressor pump outlet directly to the larger tank. What does that look like? We can't see what kind of hose/fitting goes into the smaller tank. It's all shrouded. Do you have access to it?

 

[Raise]

It's just plumbing, buy some fittings- Ts and stuff like that. Just run air over to the other tank.

So in other words, unplug my air gun from the red hose, plug the red hose instead into the spare tank, then what? There is only one connection point. For some reason, the spare tank has 2 ports, and there is a hose running from one to the other, but with a T fitting to allow an outlet hose to be connected. Looking at the picture, would i just install another T fitting where the brass connector connects the black hose to the outlet T fitting?? Or do i just remove the black hose altogether and plug the other port? That way i could connect the red hose to brass connector and run a new hose out from the existing T outlet. I am wondering if the brass fitting between the brass connector and the large T fitting on the tank is a check valve

 

[Raise]

I'm sorry everyone is either treating you like an idiot, or just being straight up mean. That said, you seem to understand that your compressor has limited options in terms of connecting the tanks directly. Its not as simple as there being a spare bung to just plumb the tanks together. If you want both tanks to function as your receiver (before the regulator) you're likely going to have to plumb the compressor pump outlet directly to the larger tank. What does that look like? We can't see what kind of hose/fitting goes into the smaller tank. It's all shrouded. Do you have access to it?

Thanks buddy. Here is a pic of the plumbing on the compressor itself

 

[Raise]

If i am going to use the spare tank for a dual receiver setup, then my thought after looking at the plumbing are….i will have to remove the relief valve, install a T fitting. One branch of the T will accept the relief valve, and the other branch will accept a hose to connect to the spare tank. Does this sound correct?

 

[Cruzan80]

Yeah of course i know that. So you are telling me to use the spare tank for the regulated air instead of the intial stored air? The dewalt tank is the initial receiver tank, so that air is before the regulator. Am i understanding what you are suggesting??

Not sure what the benefit of running it before the regulator would be, as the DeWalt cutout pressure is less than the spare. "Regulated air" at this point would be meaningless, as you just crank the DeWalt pressure gauge to full.

Not trying to treat you as an idiot, just was making sure all the vocab was there.

If you want something other than full pressure while using the spare tank, you need to add another regulator onto the output of the black tank.

Trying to add plumbing from the DeWalt tank to the spare tank, simply to use the DeWalt regulator as the choke point for the double-tank setup would be needlessly complicated, pain for plumbing, and also would not let you remove the black tank easily if needed.

 

[PCustoms]

So in other words, unplug my air gun from the red hose, plug the red hose instead into the spare tank, then what?

Unplug the black hose/male fitting from the coupling on the black tank.

Plug male fitting/black hose into the DeWalt compressor.

Take your hose from the DeWalt and plug it into either coupling on the black tank.

 

[Raise]

Unplug the black hose/male fitting from the coupling on the black tank.

Plug male fitting/black hose into the DeWalt compressor.

Take your hose from the DeWalt and plug it into either coupling on the black tank.

Ok thanks. Does this look like a check valve?

 

[PCustoms]

Ok thanks. Does this look like a check valve?

Not sure.

Why do you need a check valve?

 

[Raise]

Not sure.

Why do you need a check valve?

I dont, just didnt know if it was one or not. If it is, that would determine which port i could use for inlet and outlet

 

[KnurledNut]

I'm sorry everyone is either treating you like an idiot, or just being straight up mean.

Did I miss some posts? Who was doing that? The original question was very basic, elementary even, and the replies just reflect that.

What is missing here is safety advice. That tank is old, modified, and who knows what condition. For use an an air tank, it really needs a pressure relief valve. And while it should have a moisture drain valve, what state is it in?
I think the OP would benefit from looking at pictures of manufactured air tank piping to get an idea of what would be beneficial.

In all honesty, that compressor is just too small for this arrangement to work efficiently. But that keeps getting glossed over. I guess that's a mean reply too?

 

[GeoBruin]

Did I miss some posts? Who was doing that? The original question was very basic, elementary even, and the replies just reflect that.

What is missing here is safety advice. That tank is old, modified, and who knows what condition. For use an an air tank, it really needs a pressure relief valve. And while it should have a moisture drain valve, what state is it in?
I think the OP would benefit from looking at pictures of manufactured air tank piping to get an idea of what would be beneficial.

In all honesty, that compressor is just too small for this arrangement to work efficiently. But that keeps getting glossed over. I guess that's a mean reply too?

You're telling me these posts are constructive and helpful?

Tell me what that red rubber cylindrical object coming out of the top of the dewalt compressor is... The one plugged into a female air coupler.

You do realize the brass sleeve moves to allow you disconnect the hoses, correct?

It's just plumbing, buy some fittings- Ts and stuff like that. Just run air over to the other tank.

Yes, OP's question was simple, and probably could have provided more info, but that should have been the response. Instead we get sarcasm and dismissive responses.

You're allowed to feel that the responses were appropriate. And I'm allowed to feel that they were misguided and apologize for them.

 

[Cruzan80]

Thanks for the help, but there is no connection on the small dewalt tank to accept a hose

You do realize the brass sleeve moves to allow you disconnect the hoses, correct?

@GeoBruin
If you are going to quote me, please provide some context. It wasn't sarcasm, but rather an honest question. If the OP didn't realize the brass connection would allow the red hose to detach, he wouldn't have known there was a connection point there. Otherwise, I didn't know how else to read his response.

If he didn't realize he could move or swap hoses, this would be a constructive piece of advice. Based on his responses before mine, I went with the idea that he wasn't sure how any of this worked. Not "an idiot", they may just have never done anything with air hoses.

Tone on the internet is 99% in the eye of the reader.

 

[GeoBruin]

@GeoBruin
If you are going to quote me, please provide some context. It wasn't sarcasm, but rather an honest question. If the OP didn't realize the brass connection would allow the red hose to detach, he wouldn't have known there was a connection point there. Otherwise, I didn't know how else to read his response.

If he didn't realize he could move or swap hoses, this would be a constructive piece of advice. Based on his responses before mine, I went with the idea that he wasn't sure how any of this worked. Not "an idiot", they may just have never done anything with air hoses.

Tone on the internet is 99% in the eye of the reader.

The context is all above for anyone to read. I was trying to quote multiple posts to make my point and it didn't make sense to quote the entirety of each post, as well as the post being replied to in order to provide context.

I agree with you about tone. Your post all by itself may not have been considered particularly sarcastic, but the way the exchange was shaping up, every post the OP made was being met with some kind skepticism. I'm clearly not the only one who thought so, as evidence by the OP's response to your comment which began "Yeah of course i know that."

Anyway, I'm not the manners police. And I didn't come down on anyone in particular (until I got called out). All I did was apologize to the OP for the general tone of the responses so they wouldn't feel discouraged.

 

[Cruzan80]

Think this is an "Agree to disagree" situation. I didn't read the OP's response to me as upset, just establishing a starting point for background knowledge. Most of the replies were trying to establish background knowledge, I didn't read them as insulting. I personally think you are looking for a problem where none exists.

I now realize what the OP is trying to do. I personally think it is a really bad idea, both for portability, and because the duty cycle on that compressor isn't designed for anywhere near that volume. It will stop working much quicker if you run the motor longer than it is designed to very often.

 

[Raise]

The context is all above for anyone to read. I was trying to quote multiple posts to make my point and it didn't make sense to quote the entirety of each post, as well as the post being replied to in order to provide context.

I agree with you about tone. Your post all by itself may not have been considered particularly sarcastic, but the way the exchange was shaping up, every post the OP made was being met with some kind skepticism. I'm clearly not the only one who thought so, as evidence by the OP's response to your comment which began "Yeah of course i know that."

Anyway, I'm not the manners police. And I didn't come down on anyone in particular (until I got called out). All I did was apologize to the OP for the general tone of the responses so they wouldn't feel discouraged.

Thank bud, and thanks to all for the help. I think im gona spring for a bigger compressor and maybe add this tank to it. That way i dont run the dewalt into the ground

 

[KnurledNut]

Thank bud, and thanks to all for the help. I think im gona spring for a bigger compressor and maybe add this tank to it. That way i dont run the dewalt into the ground

I occasionally run a 12A 1.5hp 6 gallon compressor to fill an 11 gallon air tank to 125psi using a double male hose. It does it, but really strains.
For comparison, your Dewalt is 2.6A .33hp 1 gallon that would be trying to fill a 20? gallon tank.

By the way, on your tank the bung that has the two female connectors was the outlet originally. It would have had a pressure switch there.

 

[danski0224]

Thank bud, and thanks to all for the help. I think im gona spring for a bigger compressor and maybe add this tank to it. That way i dont run the dewalt into the ground

What air tools are you using? Air tools have pressure and flow requirements. These requirements will dictate the compressor specs.

Your wallet, space and power availability will dictate whether or not you can run that compressor. There may be compromises.

That DeWalt compressor is made for supplying air to things like carpentry air tools, for one person. Certainly not a crew of roofers as an example. Filling automotive and light truck tires.

It will not run automotive type air tools, Certainly not for more than a couple of blips on the trigger.

Adding that tank will just prolong the agony. The compressor will run all the time and give you hot air and condensation.

 

[Raise]

I occasionally run a 12A 1.5hp 6 gallon compressor to fill an 11 gallon air tank to 125psi using a double male hose. It does it, but really strains.
For comparison, your Dewalt is 2.6A .33hp 1 gallon that would be trying to fill a 20? gallon tank.

By the way, on your tank the bung that has the two female connectors was the outlet originally. It would have had a pressure switch there.

Thanks for the info man. Does that mean that the brass fitting below the top female connector is probably a check valve?

 

[Raise]

What air tools are you using? Air tools have pressure and flow requirements. These requirements will dictate the compressor specs.

Your wallet, space and power availability will dictate whether or not you can run that compressor. There may be compromises.

That DeWalt compressor is made for supplying air to things like carpentry air tools, for one person. Certainly not a crew of roofers as an example. Filling automotive and light truck tires.

It will not run automotive type air tools, Certainly not for more than a couple of blips on the trigger.

Adding that tank will just prolong the agony. The compressor will run all the time and give you hot air and condensation.

Much appreciated information, thanks alot