Tandem Air Compressors

[Jeff May]

I currently have a 60 gal single stage air compressor in my shop. I just picked up another 60 gal unit. Not the same make, but similar in cfms. I was wondering if any one has ever hooked air compressors in tandem and what was the results.
I was thinking this could be good for when I use my blast cabinet as the single unit just doesn't quite keep up.
So,
Has any one ever done this?
Is it worth it?
If so, how did you plumb them and wire them?
Thanks,
Jeff in Hagerstown

 

[Hankoh]

I have used two compressors piped together for exactly what you need (more CFM for blasting). I just used a "tee" to connect the output hoses from each of the two compressors, and the third side of the tee to the blaster. Just turn on both compressors and that is it. My two compressors were set similarly (on/off points on the switches controlling the compressors). It worked fine for me. The compressors would turn on and off at slightly different times (the pressure switches are not at exactly the same point - mine are not finely accurate) but that doesn't matter.

John

 

[marineengineer]

In an industrial setting we have lead lag set up with much larger compressors it should work for you also. For example one would be set 150-130 and the other 115-150

 

[gearhead9056]

I think it would be a good deal for blasting, we thought of doing something similar at the farm until my dad got a deal on a bigger compressor. You could adjust the switches and get them to turn on pretty close I would think

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

 

[The Cobbler]

I have had regulators bleed air if they are at different set points, so be sure to get them as close as possible to the same outlet pressures. or on the secondary compressor tie in before the regulator so you send the tank pressure to the tank pressure of the main compressor .

 

[hoffman912]

question, what specs (cfm, psi) do you have now thats not working for blasting, and what should one have? I am looking at getting a compressor down the road, but id rather get one compressor, not two...

 

[holdover]

I have two Husky 60 gal. I have valves on both and they are t-ed into the distribution line can use one or both for blasting etc. No problems plus I don't have all my eggs in the same basket which might leave me without an air supply. Bought the first one on sale 2 yrs ago last year they changed their color from red to black and put the red ones on sale for 100.00 less

 

[sberry]

I leave the breaker off to one unless I need it.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I was in a Sears Auto shop and they had 2 air compressors tied together.

 

[sberry]

I finally realized there was no point in leaving the secondary on 24/7 when I am not using it, we use the tanks and I can turn the breaker on if I head out to demand air.
Other than sandblast I can meet my real max demand with about real 5 hp unit. I have a 3 main and with the extra tank meet it easy. I can time it to squeeze the trigger just before kickoff and sand more than I want to without kicking on number 2.

Some of these pics are old, there have since been revisions. Drains plumbed on etc.