Extra Compressor Air Tank

[8man]

I have a 60 gallon air tank on my compressor. The compressor puts out about 14 CFM. I added an 80 gallon air tank between the compressor tank and my work.

Is an external add on air tank a good idea?

Will it help remove water from the working air since it goes from the original tank, through a line and into the second tank before going out to the work lines? I would think so since the air has that much more area to cool down in, but don't know.

It seems the compressor runs a really long time once it kicks on. It won't keep up with die grinders, etc., so it kicks on frequently. I know I need more CFM's, but would it help cut down run time if I removed the extra tank?

I will admit I can do more sand blasting now with this set up before the compressor kicks on, but I don't know if I'm doing a disservice to my compressor.

Yes, a larger 24+ CFM compressor is in my future and I want to know before I set it up in the new home shop to be built.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I'm no expert, but I have followed this topic for years. You ARE helping, but not as much as one would think. You are increasing the overall volume of air, but that is only marginally useful, as it all must be produced by your compressor, which requires it to run. Judicious tool cycling accomplishes just as much--run, then take a break. There is simply no substitute for CFM--and that takes a big compressor, and muchos pesos.

So far I'm just using corded electric grinders and such, as I only have 9.4 CFM available with my current compressor.

 

[larry_g]

Once your tool (sandblaster) uses enough air to kick on the compressor no amount of storage is going to mask the fact that the compressor is not big enough to run the tool. At the end of the day you will have accomplished the same amount of work.
lg
no neat sig line

 

[sberry]

I will agree with some additional input. I do this, I have 3 tanks, 2 comps, a 3 and a 5 and I don't even have breaker on to the 5, I would if I was blasting or employing additional body men but,,, also use heavy air tools on 12 cfm.

How to,,,, get a watch a clock and a pressure ga and if you are the operator I get myself adjusted and start work and run till I am out of good air, make any adjustments, flip work around etc, fit or change consumables and just before the comp kicks off I resume work with the tanks almost full and the comp running vs having just kicked in, set the regulator right and learn to work a little thrifty,,, the goal isn't to dump as much air as you can but get the work out in a hurry.
After a while a guy can estimate or leave a gage where you can see, with big tanks it will take a minute to go from 160 to 175, start sanding at over 160 and probably go till your arms are tired,,, I feel and schedule the work to make the comp run constant. I do all other chores while the air recovers. I had a body guy could run 8 inch DA from my system even before I doubled the tank. Run it as much as he needed to,,, slightly different than as much as you can.

 

[sberry]

I have a tank between the units, It collects very little water in the second tank, 95% in the primary and the receiver.

This is an early pic but there is a drop tube of sorts in the out port that keeps the air velocity from forcing condensate in the outgoing line.
I didn't bury the building to building line below frost, I barely escaped frozen line and forgot to clear it once in a while which does work. It left me thinking I should add 1 more drip leg sort of quazi franz style before it hits my distribution manifold.
I might make it next winter project or peck away as I find a few pieces.

 

[strutaeng]

The second tank helps UNTIL the compressor turns on again, then you are actually behind the game because it has to fill more volume in the 2 receivers, plus supply air for the tool, not to mention it is likely exceeding its duty cycle.

Basically, go with larry_g' advice.

Have you thought about supplementing with another 10CFM compressor? Those CH/Husky variants supply just that and are only about $450-500. There has been discussions here about connecting the two together and have one only come only when the CFM demand is high. Industrial duplex compressors do just that, except they alternate between cycles and both come on when the demand is high.

If you are painting cars, here is a reference, the 2minute test, recommended by Sharpe: http://www.sharpe1.com/sharpe/sharpe.nsf/Page/Compressed+Air+Test


I have a 22CFM beast, but never turn it on to fill tires or use a brad nailer. I have a vintage 1.6 CFM compressor for that

Good luck

 

[DenisG]

If you exceed the duty cycle for your air compressor, you'll shorten it's life.

 

[zkling]

What compressor do you have? As DenisG said, you have to watch the duty cycle on some of the pumps. Adding a 80gal tank to a ~60gal system is asking quite a bit. Depending on the pump you have.

 

[volleyball]

I have used extra tanks when you have a job that you can do intermittently. Stop and go kind of stuff. When you are not using air and can let the tanks fill.

 

[8man]

I don't use air when it kicks on. In fact, I often leave the shop because it is small and the compressor is right where I work and the noise isn't good. I let it fill both tanks and cut of before I begin again. That way I know it has the opportunity to cool down some before I kick it back on again.

So I have learned to watch my air usage and try to time other jobs while the compressor is running. Since I'm a hobbyist, I can easily do something else while the compressor runs, I just didn't want to overtax it with the 2nd tank. It doesn't sound like I'll be doing it harm the way I'm using it.

I'm going to put the new compressor (24 CFM minimum) in a closet with Acoustiblok in the walls for sound deadening. I read on this site about making sure I have enough air around the compressor, so I may even add a vent fan to **** air through the closet when the compressor kicks on. I'm still trying to decide whether to put it inside the shop in a closet or outside in it's own storage room. I'm leaning toward outside to help with noise.

Thanks for the thoughts and the links. Very helpful!

 

[sberry]

In the long run there is no easier way than getting a unit that meets or exceeds demand. 24 cfm unit will support 2 workers and even sandblast pretty fair. A single unit saves space and simplifies equipment.

 

[elsensei]

I'm selling a huge compressor that can run nonstop. i'll post it once i hit my 100 posts.