Compressor tank x 2?

[lonejacklarry]

My 60 gallon Ingersoll Rand compressor has compressed its last, I found. Anytime one can run the belt, motor, and compressor with one finger it is worn out.

Anyhow, the question: The old compressor is really old but the tank seems to be fine. If I get a new 60 gallon compressor can I plumb the two tanks together and increase my air storage? I use DA sanders and bead blast cabinets a lot and I use a lot of air.

And, yes, I've read enough here to not use PVC for the connection!

 

[ford33]

Tank size will lengthen the initial operating time of the air tool before the pump turns on but eventually you will run of of air at sufficient pressure to keep operating. Then it will take much longer to fill the tanks to the storage pressure. Larger tanks work well when you need high volume with low tool operating time. Think of air jacks not spray gun.

This assumes that the tool uses more air when operating than the pump can provide.

 

[NitroShark]

You wont gain CFM, just longer time before the pump turns on, However, once on the pump will run continuously until it reaches 125PSI (or whatever your shutoff is)

If your DA and other tools exceed your compressor pump's CFM output it will not make any difference between 1 or 2 tanks.

 

[cvairwerks]

Might be worth getting an overhaul kit for the compressor. The one for my T-30 is less than 300$.

 

[BCreekDave]

Once you get past 60 gallons or so of tank capacity it's really diminishing returns on adding capacity. Certain limited exceptions such as multiple users with intermittent use devices like an impact wrench.
Stopping leaks becomes very important. Multiple tanks mean multiple connections and that is multiple leak points. That is lost energy. Once the system leaks down to where the pressure switch kicks on then it takes that much longer to pump up. Remember, nature abhors a vacuum and to your tank the whole world is a vacuum.


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[lonejacklarry]

Might be worth getting an overhaul kit for the compressor. The one for my T-30 is less than 300$.

According to the IR folks, they stopped selling parts for the T21 years ago.

Remember, nature abhors a vacuum and to your tank the whole world is a vacuum.

Thanks for the information. The other point of using the old tank is that I would not have to find a place to go it. The metal recyclers around here will not accept a tank of any sort.

 

[BCreekDave]

According to the IR folks, they stopped selling parts for the T21 years ago.







Thanks for the information. The other point of using the old tank is that I would not have to find a place to go it. The metal recyclers around here will not accept a tank of any sort.

Yeah what's with that? I had to cut up an old well tank to get them to take it.


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[joe_padavano]

The metal recyclers around here will not accept a tank of any sort.

Huh? I guess recyclers are worried about what environmental disaster could be lurking in the tank. Yet another case of too many lawyers and no common sense.

In any case, LOTS of folks are looking for a good tank to replace their rusty one on an otherwise good compressor. Craigslist is your friend.

 

[matt_i]

You seem like you're in a good place. I read probably 10x the number of stories that the tank is rotted/pinholed and the person is shopping for a new tank. I would think there to be a surplus of compressor-pumps then

 

[Lelandwelds]

According to the IR folks, they stopped selling parts for the T21 years ago.



Thanks for the information. The other point of using the old tank is that I would not have to find a place to go it. The metal recyclers around here will not accept a tank of any sort.

Yeah what's with that? I had to cut up an old well tank to get them to take it.

It may be worth looking around a bit. Some suppliers do not manage their inventory like Amazon. There may be New Old Stock that is not inventoried. The new guy may not see it in the computer but the old fart in the corner may know. Parts for some compressors may be discontinued but an available model may use the same valves or rings, etc. There may be non OEM parts available too. I have heard of but not attempted building valves from SS shim stock.

I have been lucky. The old ones I have traded for either came with repair parts or just needed something simple. (Or somebody wanted the bones for a project and the rest went in the "pile".)

It is simpler to ban all tanks than teach employees to check for flammables, etc. Steel is cheap. One risky tank isn't worth the hassle.

 

[pancho400cid]

This has been discussed many times.

The bottom line is doubling the tanks does increase "storage" (so what) but it literally buys you NOTHING in terms of air delivery, and it wastes space and takes effort and cost to accomplish. Why do it?

 

[lonejacklarry]

This has been discussed many times.

I'm sorry to have bothered you. It would have taken less effort for you to skip the question rather than feeling obligated to tell me it had been discussed many times.

Why do it? Well, that was my question, was it not?

 

[SGKent]

I have my tanks paired but there is also a compressor on each one. It was easier to spend $200 on a used compressor / tank and pair them than to buy a larger compressor. I have the ability to de-couple them and switch them on independently if I just want to use one.

 

[FTG-05]

I did it. I added a 120 gallon aux air tank to my compressed air system and I love it.

What no one here has mentioned are the obvious advantages: set up properly, the aux air tank can act as both an air cooler and another water drop line. Another advantage is the huge drop in air velocity, always a good thing if you're trying to get the compressed air to drop water out.

How many people would answer "Yes!" if you asked if you should add an air cooler to your compressed air system? How many people here proudly post pics of their copper or iron pipe cooler manifolds? An aux air tank will do the same thing, maybe even better.

You already own it, it can be installed anywhere it's convenient, and except for the cost of some fittings, a valve and some air line, it's pretty much free. All upsides, pretty much zero downsides.

My Compressor Corner with my franken-pressor on the left and aux air tank to the right of it. I use it as my Franzinator Mk II (and how many people here use those?).

 

[dogdog]

I tandem my craftsman 30 gallon and a broken 16 gallon to get more air capacity to do HVLP spraying... does it work better than no additional tank absolutely.. it would run the sprayer with the additional tank capacity, that it would normally not run without. at least with good results. It doesn't increase CFM of the compressor, but if you wait for it to charge up first, you can supply air at a more constant rate than with no additional tank. (because I have a oil-less compressor, with weak CFMs, I also have to change the cut in from 90 to 120... but YMMV)

Converting it is easy, take everything off at the air compressor inlet end, just add a ball valve inline with a male air hose fitting (maybe some 90s to make it pretty)... when I needed to use it, I just plug the air hose female coupling in and open the ball valve... The outlet and drain remains unchanged.

When I don't want the extra tank, I roll it up and stuff it away.

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

With respect to getting rid of the old tank, if it is beyond hope, or safe use, as an air tank, look into the BBQ guys. Many of those guys buy old air tanks to convert them into grills and/or smokers.



.

 

[lonejacklarry]

Thanks for the intelligent replies! I think I will keep the old tank as it has been drained religiously and appears to be ok. The plumbing does not appear to be tough and it is easier than carting the old hulk out. Thanks, again!

 

[Rag Roc]

"What no one here has mentioned are the obvious advantages: set up properly, the aux air tank can act as both an air cooler and another water drop line. Another advantage is the huge drop in air velocity, always a good thing if you're trying to get the compressed air to drop water out."

That's why I added a second free tank. My line runs from the compressor, up the the ceiling, over and down to the storage tank. My output line is on the other side of the storage tank, which runs to the ceiling to my distribution. Minimal water in the storage tank, and none in the drop leg drains. I'm a happy guy.

 

[fabjunkie]

I just retired two 60 gal compressors. One pump ate itself after 18 years and the other is not big enough for my needs so I stripped them for the tanks. I flipped one and bolted them together by the pump/motor mounts and stood them in the corner of the shop. The new 80gal 10hp compressor fills the whole system in about 8-10 minutes. Like has been said, it all depends on how much your compressor can keep up, but it will let you work longer before it kicks on. It will work it harder though.