How to phase two comp into one.

[4me2nou]

Hey guys,
I have two of the 5hp 20gal portable compressors. My garage is just about finished (32x40), I also have a 125 gal storage tank with no comp on it. I was planning on plumbing the whole garage for air to a cental location. My idea is to stack or phase the two compressors into the tank to upgrade my CFM potential. I was planning on Tee'ing the two into the tank and putting one way check valves inline so that they are not fighting each other. If I set the regulator on one lower than the other it would only run when demand exceeded the output of the first one. Wondering if anyone else has tried this or any thoughts as to my idea and how to accomplish it.

 

[Dragster Racer]

Usually I would poo poo and idea like this, but I think this has merrit. I'm not even sure that you would need the check valves. The compressors probably have something like that to prevent air in the tank from back feeding the compressor anyhow. Check valves can be restrictive too. Like you mentioned, stagger the pressure regulation. I think it is worth a try. Make sure you have the juice to cover both of them at once.

 

[W-Cummins]

You don't need the check valves. And they should have both regulators set to the same pressure. You want to set the pressure switch's so that one is set to start before the other one... Say have one set at 125 and the other set to turn off at 110 the settings will be a problem with the lower pressure delta your going to have to work with, if you had 2 two stage machines you can set this up nicely as you have more range to play with before your at your regulated pressure of the system... Anyway Ideally you want to have only one machine run unless you need the additional flow...

William....

 

[Lloydthumper]

You don't have to put check valves I have a quincy compresser with two 5hp pumps on it from the factory and there is no check valves. the tank is big enough that the two pumps won't interfere with the others operation. That is exactly how mine is set up where if demad get to great the second pump kicks in.

 

[79firebird]

At work we have a 5hp and a 10 hp compressor both hooked onto the air like we have the small compressor to kick on if the psi drops to 100 and the 10hp kicks on if it drops below 90. works good the big compressor kicks in about 10-20 times a day but is 3x's louder then the smaller compressor

 

[Vicegrip]

You plan is sound, I have done it in the past and it works fine. as said no need for back checks. dirty little trick. you can take a second compressor and just plug it into a tool connection in a existing system if you like for a boost when more air cap is needed. I hooked up my 120 V portable to the main system for more cap when needed back when I had a a smaller main compressor.

 

[PAToyota]

Search for OldCarGuy's shop thread - he has two compressors (with tanks) set up that way. The second compressor only comes on when the first one won't keep up with demand. Makes sense if you have a sandblast cabinet or something that you only use occasionally but requires high volume when you do use it.

 

[pgreen]

I have been doing this for a while. Have a Craftsman 6hp and a CH 5hp. Put a tee on the output of both so I could have two hoses on either. When I need a lot of air (die grinder or a lot of sandblasting), I take one of the hoses from my main compressor (the CH) and run it to the Craftsman. I coupled two of the tool-end quick couplers together to connect the female hose end to the female end on the compressor.

The pressure settings are a bit different, so if I don't use a lot of air, only one comes on. When it gets low and running, the second kicks on.

Only issue with this is actually plugging or unplugging the hose. Just have to connect/disconnect the two quick couples at the same time or you have a loud air leak until you pop the second one.

As far as the check valves, most (if not all) compressors have one at the point where the pressure line comes into the tank from the pump. This way, it can unload the pump pressure to make starting easier.

 

[e-tek]

Cool idea - I could have used it last year...too bad (!) my new 7HP 80 gal keeps up with everything I do now!!