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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?
__________________

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.

When two tanks are coupled together, the air pressure will equalize in each.
When two tanks are coupled together, the air pressure will equalize in each.

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.
________________

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: www.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

_____________________
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!

__________________________

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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Hunter Stansberry
Hunter Stansberry
December 24, 2020 11:15 pm

Looking at putting a high valume air compressor on a service truck (1 inch impact drains the tank fast). Is there any value to have lets say 5 10 gallon tanks VS 1 50 gallon or even 2 25 gallon tanks (all tank pressure ranting being the same) and i do know more tanks means more plumbing but i can wiggle multiple tanks in a tighter patern than one big one.

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Matt
Matt
October 2, 2020 3:18 pm

I have very little technical knowledge on the ins and outs of compressors and what they can do other than plugging my nail guns in or filling up my tires. But I’ve got a project in mind that I need to know if the compressor part of the project is even do-able. Let’s see if I can describe it well enough.  You plug in the compressor and fill it up. Once the compressor is filled to say 130psi, Is there a way to run a hose to another tank and have only a specified lower psi transferred to that spare tank… Read more »

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Anthony
Anthony
September 18, 2020 2:30 am

Hi I have a 3 cylinder Air compressor I want to take the tank off and put a double the size larger tank on I will plumb it exactly the way the old one is can I do that

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Alan Grzybowski
Alan Grzybowski
August 9, 2020 1:08 am

We are trying to get a bank of tanks that would get a consistent output of 4500. We have multiple size tanks. 6000,4500,3600, and 3500 tanks. What is correct sequence of tanks for an output of 4500? The compressor runs right into the tanks from there the tanks run to a regulator than fill station.

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Big John
Big John
June 9, 2020 1:54 am

How about new compressor is 175 psi but old compressor was 150 psi new one is 21 gallons and old one 26 gallons craftsman new one is a McGraw the craftsman burned motor after 15 years but tank is still in great shape can I use that tank as extra storage

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