I own a small carbon repair and custom paint shop. I currently run a 60 gallon compressor that does great for what I currently need. I want to add a blast cabinet to my shop and need to up my CFM's from about 13 to 20. I have access to another compressor that is currently damaged that is the same size as my working compressor. My thought was to fix the motor on this broken one and have two compressors on my system. My question is this. Do I need to run them next to each other, with one feeding air into the other to get the increased CFM, or can I just plum the new one into my system in a separate room (not as noisy then) and still get the same benefits? The blast cabinet would be used for removing paint from bicycle frames, so probably not run very long. Putting the two compressors together should up my CFM to 26 if I do it correctly, so that should be enough with room to spare for the blast cabinet. I imagine no matter what I will need some check valves to keep air from running backwards in the system but in my head I don't think I need to run them one feeding into the other right next to each other? Thank you.
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Adding additional compressor to my system question.
- Thread starter TW Carbon
- Start date
Put the second one wherever you like. As long as it's plumbed into the same distribution system, it doesn't matter where in the system it is. Compressed air is cool like that. It will equalize for the most part.
As for check valves, the only reason for one would be if you had (for example) one compressor making more pressure than one tank was rated for and you wanted to prevent overfilling that tank. But if your compressors are similar that shouldn't be a problem.
If they're going to be on the same circuit, it could be helpful to set the cut-in pressures slightly different on each compressor so there's less of a chance they both kick on at the same time.
As for check valves, the only reason for one would be if you had (for example) one compressor making more pressure than one tank was rated for and you wanted to prevent overfilling that tank. But if your compressors are similar that shouldn't be a problem.
If they're going to be on the same circuit, it could be helpful to set the cut-in pressures slightly different on each compressor so there's less of a chance they both kick on at the same time.
Shoreline_
Well-known member
We have two compressors at our shop and there's no checkvalves between them. Two different brands. One comes on if the pressure goes too low. So for us it works out they are two different pressure settings. But they are both rated for the same maximum pressure.
Thank you for the reply! And thank you for the check valve comment. All of the stuff I looked into talked about them so I figured it was important. I will need to put in a new circuit for this compressor as my other one already runs the compressor, an exhaust fan, and an air dryer, as it was designed to do. So I don't think it could handle another compressor, and the new compressor will be in another room closer to the breaker anyways.Put the second one wherever you like. As long as it's plumbed into the same distribution system, it doesn't matter where in the system it is. Compressed air is cool like that. It will equalize for the most part.
As for check valves, the only reason for one would be if you had (for example) one compressor making more pressure than one tank was rated for and you wanted to prevent overfilling that tank. But if your compressors are similar that shouldn't be a problem.
If they're going to be on the same circuit, it could be helpful to set the cut-in pressures slightly different on each compressor so there's less of a chance they both kick on at the same time.
rancherbill
Well-known member
I'd put the second one where it is convenient.
I'd put an electrical switch and only turn on the second on when necessary. I would definitely change the On/Off point on the regulators so they don't get into some dueling compressor battle as. When you get to the "turn on pressure" I could see them getting really confused.
I'd put an electrical switch and only turn on the second on when necessary. I would definitely change the On/Off point on the regulators so they don't get into some dueling compressor battle as. When you get to the "turn on pressure" I could see them getting really confused.