Air Compressor
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Air Compressor
I have one of the typical 15 gal hobbyist air compressors from Lowes/HD/Walmart I forget. I also have another one that the on/off switch went south on. Probly easily fixable but I was wondering about using the broken compressor for an additional air tank making the setup a 30 gallon storage. I know it will take a while to fill both tanks but wouldnt it also take longer for the compressor to hafta kick in during use? I though about maybe trying to connect the two tanks so both compressors would run but that would take a pretty big electrical circuit to keep from throwing the breaker.
Waddayall think? Connect for more volume or dont bother?
Waddayall think? Connect for more volume or dont bother?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
It'll just take longer to fill up. Shouldn't be any electrical issue with breakers. You could also put a valave on one tank so you're only filling it up when you need to.
go to Lowes or Home Depot and tell them what you're wanting to do and they should be able to show you exactly what you need. I shop at Lowes but I believe you may have better luck at Home Depot. They have more people who are subject matter experts.
The thing is though you would probably have to take the motor off and connect it to piping that went to both tanks.
May be more trouble than it's worth.
go to Lowes or Home Depot and tell them what you're wanting to do and they should be able to show you exactly what you need. I shop at Lowes but I believe you may have better luck at Home Depot. They have more people who are subject matter experts.
The thing is though you would probably have to take the motor off and connect it to piping that went to both tanks.
May be more trouble than it's worth.
Last edited by RetiredSFC 97; Aug 30, 2010 at 08:58 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
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From: Database Error Indiana
I did that, years ago only with 30 gal tanks. Remove the old pump for sure. Screw a air hose coupling into the extra tank in a Tee with gage and hooked them together with a long hose. Noisy compressor is outside and the tank is inside.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
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From: Chewelah Wa
I run a 5 horse 60 gal single stage 220v and a 3 horse 20 gal 110 v, they are hooked together with a "T" fitting. They are on separate electrical circuits. With both of them running, it fills the tanks pretty fast. Plus I now have 80 gallons of storage. It works great. My experience is that you cannot have too much air.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Raleigh NC
How do you keep the compressor motor dry outside? I would love to do that with mine since it makes me crazy when it's running.
Race Director
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From: Database Error Indiana
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
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The more air storage capacity (within reason) the better. I run a 10hp Eaton Compressor with a 120 gallon horizontal tank. Lots of times, I can open the air tank valve and do a quick job and the compressor never turns on.
8Valve
8Valve
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
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From: Jacksonville FL
And thanks to everyone responding, its made up my mind to go ahead and bring the old compressor to FL with meI am in the process of moving and was wondering if I should even bother bringing the broken compressor to a new home. I moved so much for a while I adopted a rule to not keep carrying broken or unused items from one place to another. Also if it aint worth $20, I chuck it. Amazing how much stuff can be eliminated
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I run a 5 horse 60 gal single stage 220v and a 3 horse 20 gal 110 v, they are hooked together with a "T" fitting. They are on separate electrical circuits. With both of them running, it fills the tanks pretty fast. Plus I now have 80 gallons of storage. It works great. My experience is that you cannot have too much air.
i agree, I see that here daily
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Hey now thats a great idea Jack! And thanks to everyone responding, its made up my mind to go ahead and bring the old compressor to FL with me
I am in the process of moving and was wondering if I should even bother bringing the broken compressor to a new home. I moved so much for a while I adopted a rule to not keep carrying broken or unused items from one place to another. Also if it aint worth $20, I chuck it. Amazing how much stuff can be eliminated
And thanks to everyone responding, its made up my mind to go ahead and bring the old compressor to FL with meI am in the process of moving and was wondering if I should even bother bringing the broken compressor to a new home. I moved so much for a while I adopted a rule to not keep carrying broken or unused items from one place to another. Also if it aint worth $20, I chuck it. Amazing how much stuff can be eliminated
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
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From: Database Error Indiana
I have a small house and garage. I sort of have a rule, if its not been used in the last 2 years it can go in the trash or on ebay.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Jacksonville FL
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
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From: Database Error Indiana
I'd buy bigger than you think you need because I keep finding cool new air tools that I have to have. I went to Sears and bought the biggest 120 volt compressor they had because I didnt have 240 volts in the garage at the time. It will do anything I need. Now I have 240 V and the next compressor will be a little bigger.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 504
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From: Rockville MD
I'd buy bigger than you think you need because I keep finding cool new air tools that I have to have. I went to Sears and bought the biggest 120 volt compressor they had because I didnt have 240 volts in the garage at the time. It will do anything I need. Now I have 240 V and the next compressor will be a little bigger.
what do you guys think about this one. Its probably the biggest i can handle size wise.
how is the price?
Speedway Series 4.5 HP 25 Gallon Vertical Upright Air Compressor
Sale Price: $211.99
