Shop Air compressors

[sg5054]

I have a Campbell Hausfield 5hp 80 gall vertical compressor. I had 80 gal Craftsman that had been given to me that had thrown a rod. The tank is still good. What I am wondering is would it be worthwhile to connect the 2 tanks together thus making a 160 gals worth of storage. I would not fix the craftsman compressor, just use the tank.

Has anyone tried this?

 

[TFucili]

Yes, have done it a couple times. Currently, the compressor at our shop is at the far end of the building, and the pipework is undersized, especially for the distance involved. When the old compressor gave up we saved the tank, and installed it in the corner of the work area. It makes a big difference in "covering up" the piping issue when running impacts or any heavy CFM items.

 

[sg5054]

Thanks for the reply. I had a feeling it would be to the good but it never hurts to ask. You can never have too much air.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Has anyone ever tried using propane tank for extra air capacity? The rating should be stronger than a common air tank and they can be had cheap sometime.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Has anyone ever tried using propane tank for extra air capacity? The rating should be stronger than a common air tank and they can be had cheap sometime.

Yep, my brother has used a 500 gallon LP tank for years. He has an electric 10-hp. two cylinder two stage compressor on it, It's housed in a lean to building behind his shop to keep the noise down in the shop. He never runs out of air when blowing dust and chaff from radiators on his farm machinery. He has installed a condensed water drain valve on the bottom with a pull cable on it just like on trucks with air brakes.



Bill

 

[CKelley1]

my setup is identical to bill's brother's

 

[BDaugherty]

I did something similar. I haven't found a large commercial compressor in my price range yet that isn't 3 phase so I staged 2 smaller compressors. I have a 60 gallon vertical that is parallelled with a 120 gallon horizontal. Neither one has a very large motor or compressor. The 120 gal cuts in around 125 psi and the 60 cuts in around 115. Most of the time only the larger compressor runs, but if I really pull it down with high demand, they both run. Eventually, I will add a larger motor and 2 stage compressor to the large tank and then increase the cut in psi, but I will probably leave the 60 gal the way it is. It really doesn't hurt to have a back up in case one or the other quits of demand is just too much for just one.

 

[sg5054]

I'm going to add the extra tank into the system some where else in the shop as I don't have room in the closet for 2 tanks. Certainly will be nice to have that extra air supply.