Adding a second compressor tank.

[jaymz1967]

I've had a 60 gallon Craftsman compressor tank sitting around for a while so I figured I'd plumb it in to my compressor. I have a 5hp single stage 60 gallon compressor. Anything special I should do to connect the 2?

 

[EOC_Jason]

Just make sure you plug up all the extra holes... Also make sure the drain valve works as I'm sure it will collect water too.

 

[930dreamer]

Add a pressure relief valve.

 

[larry_g]

Connect a valve between the two so that you can remove the extra tank from the system when you do not need the extra capacity. If you only need to fill a tire or so then you do not want have to pressurize both tanks as it would be a waste of time and energy. That said I am not a fan of to much tank capacity. Once you start pushing the system hard and the compressor head turns on the tank capacity is of little use as you can only use the amount of air the head can produce. At the end of the day you only get the work done that the head can produce.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ndoran]

I did this over ten years ago and it works well. I plumbed the extra tank to the compressor tank so the outlets of both tanks are in parallel. It delivers an extra initial surge of air volume when using an impact.

 

[Packard V8]

Trying to keep two tanks filled will also burn out a small Craftsman pump and motor in short order. They're very light duty rating. Most are less than 50% duty cycle.

jack vines

 

[stonesfan68]

You can't have too much storage in an air system. Just plumb the two tanks together using one pipe. Be sure that the pressure rating of the second tank is equal too or greater than the maximum operating pressure of the primary tank.

 

[larry_g]

You can't have too much storage in an air system. Just plumb the two tanks together using one pipe.

I disagree with this. For the average home user who will use the system occasionally on weekends then large capacity is not needed. Especially if it is used primarily for tires and other small uses. If your running a large shop and trying to bandaid a small compressor then all the storage will not keep ahead of the users if the pump is to small. You have to have a balanced system.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[May Pop]

I have done this also. Added a little more time for sandblasting and painting. It does take longer to refill. I kept mine full and isolated in the winter so I didnt have to start the compressor when it was extra cold.