Add an additional tank to the system

Coupling two air tanks together.

by Scott Rich

I have a portable compressor and have received a larger tank from a old compressor.

Can I couple the two with a hose between them and increase my volume so I can run die grinders and sanders more efficiently?

What do I have to consider?

Could I burn up my portable from it running more often?
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Hi Scott:

Yes, you can couple two tanks together to make a bigger reservoir.

When the compressor runs, air flows from the piston (assuming it’s a reciprocating compressor) through a tube into the tank. As the air travels downs the tube, it passes through a check valve.

This check valve keeps the air in the tank when the compressor stops, and the unloader valve operates.

So, if you are coupling two tanks together, you have to make sure that both of them are downstream from the check valve. In this way, air goes into both tanks from the compressor, and can’t flow back up the line to the unloader valve exhaust port.

Wander to the site map on this site, and check out “duty cycle” to give you some ideas so that you don’t burn out your compressor.

Thanks for writing in.

Add an additional compressed air tank to the system?

by Ed
(Orlando, FL)

I purchased a portable tank, but intend to add it to the system when plumbing my home garage/workshop.
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Hi Ed:

You can add the tank anywhere it’s convenient in your garage / workshop.

Air from the compressor needs to be plumbed into that tank, and then you need to have a discharge from that tank to your workshop.

If (and you should) you have a filter / regulator from the existing compressor, you’ll want the air from both tanks to go through this unit before you plumb to your tools.

Don’t forget to drain the secondary tank too!

Visit this page: about-air-compressors.com/plumbing.html, to learn more about Plumbing compressed air.

Can i hook a second tank to my air compressor

by bill
(lewisburg oh USA)

I am wanting to hook my new 60 gallon air compressor to my old 60 gallon tank that I took compressor and motor off for extra storage .I was told this was unsafe to do this, can this be done

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Hi Bill. If the “old” tank is sound, I do not understand why someone would say that it is unsafe to do so, unless they are talking about the motor?

Whether your compressor has one tank of 60 gallons, one tank of 120 gallons, or two tanks totaling 120 gallons, is immaterial to the air compressor, as long as filling the two tanks does not overload the motor.

See the link from the sitemap regarding duty cycle.

Also see the link “add an air tank” from the sitemap.

Two Tanks, Two Different Burst Ratings…

by Andrew
(Costa Mesa, CA)

Hey Bill, you freakin’ ROCK by the way. Okay so, I have a 16g 200 psi compressor and I also just purchased a 15 gallon tank that’s rated to 150psi. Is it possible to add the 15 gallon tank as a slave tank for the compressor? The slave tank says not to exceed 150psi and I’m assuming that is its burst pressure. The compressors pressure switch doesn’t auto-off until a solid 205psi. How would I plumb the two together? Is it possible to add a small regulator in between the connection lines? Or is this not possible due to bursting the spare tank at its psi limit?
Thanks!

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Andrew, if this were my set up, I would not put a tank rated for 150 PSI in series with an air source at 250 PSI, regardless of putting a regulator in line.

My opinion is, you either turn down the pressure output of the compressor to 150 PSI and run that pressure for both tanks, or you get a tank rated for the 250 PSI of the original compressor.

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