my 25 gallons Sears comp. took a dump. so i went and bought a 7hp 60 gallon compressor yesterday. i'm curious can i connect a line from 60 gal. to my 25 gal. tank turning it into a 85 gal tank. will the motor be strong enough? will the water build up be more in one tank due transferring of air in between? how do you set this up? or should i just leave it alone and be happy? Thanks
The motor should be strong enough. The important thing is that your new compressor has a duty cycle. It's only intended to run up to a certain percentage of time. For instance, my 80 gallon has an 75% duty cycle. It should idealy never run more than that. I could slave it onto any number of tanks as long as it doesn't run more than that. Make sure and drain both tanks as needed.
Just hook a large enough line (3/4-1 in ID or bigger) between the 2 tanks so you can use the extra reserve air without restricting the flow from 1 tank to the other. overspray
I have a little extra tank I was thinking about piggybacking the same way. But I haven't logic-ed out the benefits. Does this make it so the pump doesn't run as often? What's the actual circuit I need to plumb? I can't picture it.
As long as this is a compressor thread.... I just bought an 85 gallon compressor and tank because i have a LOT of sandblasting to do. Unfortunately it has a 3 phase motor. Anyone have a used 7.5 hp electric motor for sale, or know where I can get a good price on one? Thanks guys! Glenn
The way it was explained to me was that adding another tank would increase the volume of air you have to draw from. Of course it would take longer to fill up a larger volume but initially you would be able to draw more from stored air which was cooler which equals less moisture. I was wondering if it might help to run a line up a short distance then back down into the second tank to allow the air to cool down a bit. Then when it dumps back into the second tank, the moisture is able to fall out to the bottom where it can be drained. I think about ths stuff cause those air dryers are real expensive.
I run a 15 horsepower compressor with a huge old outdoor propane tank as my auxillary---probably double the size of the compressors tank. As mentioned, the initial fill takes longer but after that the compressor kicks in much less often---saves electricity and wear and tear. I run the air out of the side of the horizontal compressor tank (normal output) using normal heavy duty hose into the bottom of the propane tank (which already had a built in stand) and out of the top of the propane tank (hose to indoor copper tubing)to feed the shop. This way all moisture drans back down to the original tank which I drain nightly. Knock on wood, 10 years of heavy use and no problems yet keeping a constant 150 psi. Marcy
Speaking of draining water from compressor tanks, here's a good tech tip: replace the cheap-ass drain valve with some pipe & a ball valve. http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/compressor/drain/ball_valve.htm
I have this done with a 60 gal into another 60 gal. Metal tubing joins them, over a length of approx 25'. Vertical from the main compressor, then across my garage door header and then down to the extra tank under a work bench. I have added a shut off to prevent the main tank from filling the added tank if I am just using the air tools to keep the compressor from running too long. When I need clean air for painting or priming I use both tanks BUT you must run your lines to take advantage of the cooling effect of the second tank. The air must run from the first tank INTO the second and then on into your pipeing system from a SEPARATE outlet in the second tank. That way the warm air is cooled by the extra tank AND all water vapor has to pass thru the second tank before it reaches your distribution lines. (You can't just TEE off the main line and run it like an accumulator if you expect it to remove moisture.) I have a water separator at that second tank outlet and also have another that I can plug into any outlet along my wall. I get NO water when both tanks are used. (Run metal distribution lines properly as well) Both tanks get drained...BTW. My comp is inside my shop and before painting I can allow the compressor to fill both tanks till it shuts down automaticly and then I shut off the main power switch for the compressor. I can coat a car completely and then let the exhaust fan clear the shop before I turn the compressor back on! The result is that my compressor gets NO overspray buildup in the pump or motor AND I have no fear of causing a vapor explosion if it were to kick in during painting. By the time it fills back up I have my next coat ready to go on and the car has flashed off. Turn off the switch again and go for the next coat. Works great!!! I'd bet your extra 25 gal tank could be hard lined in and run all the time without causing much extra strain on your comp at all. You still need a separator and proper distribution line placement to help control moisture, but the additional tank is a great help to the system in that respect.
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