If your single-tank air compressor can’t offer enough flow to fulfil the higher demand for air tools, you can fix the problem by connecting another air tank. But dual air compressor tank setup requires some tools and procedures in terms of success and safety. So, learning how to connect two air compressor tanks can lead you through a successful operation.
Connecting two air compressor tanks can improve the function of a smaller compressor. Besides, it provides larger storage of compressed air to ensure longer run time. But adding a second compressor tank brings some challenges of its own.
Therefore, today we will explain a step-by-step process of connecting two air compressors successfully without creating any issues. The guide also includes some safety considerations and the advantages of upgrading the existing air compressor.
Guides to connect two air compressor tanks
This method will save you extra money that may be spent on buying a larger capacity air tank. We have explained in easily understandable steps so you can get a clear idea. Fortunately, this process doesn’t require any welding.
Tools are required:
- Visit your local hardware shop and collect these tools:
- 3/8′′ to 1/4′′ female brass coupler
- 1/4′′ NPT brass tee
- RTV silicone adhesive
- Portable air receiver tank with higher capacity than the existing one
- 1/2′′ to 3/8′′ female NPT brass coupler
- Air compressor hose
Drain the compressor
Before starting any dissembling process, let’s drain the entire air and moisture from the previous tank. It is important as the damp build up in the tank can cause corrosion. This rust can pit the tanks inside walls and reduce its durability, which can lead to an explosion.
Remove the Safety Valve and attach the Tee
Use an adjustable wrench to take out the safety valve. Once finding the safety valve, gently remove it so its threads don’t get damaged. Make ready the brass tee by using RTV silicone adhesive around the thread’s male side.
Now fix the Tee using the wrench exactly where you have removed the safety valve. To ensure proper craft, clean the safety valve’ threaded end and get ready it using RTV silicone adhesive. Then fix the safety valve into the brass tee’s female end. But don’t over-tighten the brass tee’s end. At this stage, connect the air compressor’s hose to the brass tee’s female end.
Prepare the new air tank
This step is about tweaking the new air compressor. Firstly, remove all the attached tools from the tank top and attach the coupler to the assembly removed point. Use the RTV adhesive to prepare the male thread of the 1/2′′ to 3/8′′ coupler. Then attach the coupler to the tank top using an impact driver and wrench. The next thing is to use adhesive to the 3/8′′ to 1/4′′ screw and reducer into the recently installed coupler. At last, connect the new air compressor hose to the new tank reducer.
Fill the new tank with air
Set the dial nearest the closed point to prevent air from going into the hose and allow it to go into the new tank through the brass tee. Now switch on the machine and notice if all the functions are working normally or not. Set the PSI to the new tank capacity and let the tank fill. Once the tank is full, set the dial at the open point. Finally, you have to turn your little weak unit into a powerful and more storage tool.
Factors while connecting two air compressor tanks
Duty circle: Firstly, carefully deal with the duty circle. It will be a huge disappointment if your air compressor takes so much time to fill up two tanks even after working hard. It can happen if you don’t give the air compressor enough time to cool off. Ensure that the machine is running and maintaining its duty cycle limits. You can reduce the ratio of idle time to working time by attaching an extra tank to the compressor. It will reduce the duty circle even if the pump runs for an extended time.
Despite the manufacturer of the air compressor for nail gun setting the duty cycle limits between the compressor idling time and running time. So, without following the recommendation, the compressor could cause serious damage to the system, pump, and motor.
Project requirements: Attaching the second tank won’t be an ideal decision for a project where you need to use applications continuously. Adding an extra tank will require stopping the compressor often to refill the tank, which will hurt the project. This configuration will be more suitable for intermittent use where the tank will get a chance to fill up without hurting the project.
Filling time: You have to be careful as the compressor will cause the extra time to fill up the double tank if the pressure falls under the cut in. It can happen because of the increased volume of the attached tanks.
Benefits of connecting two air compressors
The key advantage that the two-tank air compressor offers over the air compressor is the larger storage of air. It ensures a longer run time of a motor between cut-out pressure. Therefore, the user can operate the pneumatic tool for a longer time. Allowing the compressor pump to fill two tanks brings a larger amount of CFM.
Increased CFM
Connecting two air compressor tanks is a superb solution for increasing the CFM of the compressed air system. In this way, you can enhance the CFM of the air compressor. Not only that, connecting the extra tank offers a greater cooling time to the air compressor, which prevents the compressor system from drawing more CFM than the pump can produce.
This higher cooling time is essential as the larger volume of air will keep the air tool running for a long time. Remember, connecting an extra air tank to the compressor will only increase the compressed air system’s CFM rather than the air compressor pump’s CFM. The original CFM of the air tank is different from the compressor’s pump CFM. Learn in detail: How to increase CFM on air compressor
Lower the pressure
Adding a second tank is an incredible way to lower the pressure on the compressor. For instance, if the air compressor has a 50% duty cycle, then it can run for 0 minutes and have to take a rest for 4 minutes so it doesn’t get overstressed. Despite connecting, a larger set of air receiver tanks can offer you 20 CFM from a 10 CFM rated air compressor. But this 20CFM won’t be available for long as the air compressor pump can’t maintain this demand for a long time.
FAQs on How to connect Two Air Compressor Tanks
Is it possible to add an extra tank to the air compressor?
Of course, connecting two compressor tanks will increase the storage capacity. It will let you run the air tool for a long between refills. Besides, adding two compressor tanks is an easier process which we have discussed step by step above.
How to make an air compressor quicker?
There are plenty of effective ways to increase the air compressor’s speed. Some of the hacking tips are keeping the intake air cool, cleaning the air before using it, and using a smaller size air compressor. Besides, you should prevent pressure drops, use smaller air hoses, and use an auxiliary tank to enjoy faster operation. Apart from these, regular lubrication also helps make the air compressor faster.
How to enhance the CFM of the air compressor?
Creating less stress in the air tank helps boost the CFM of an air compressor. dial down the regulator so the air can run into the tank gradually and create a lower pressure inside the tank. This lower pressure will finally increase the CFM of the air compressor.
Connect Two Air Compressor Tanks Safely
If the project demands larger runtime and you don’t have sufficient money to go for a new compressor with a larger tank, you can apply these tricks. Once you have learned how to connect two air compressor tanks, it won’t be a difficult task for you.
Just follow those safety instructions and step-by-step process and you will enjoy the advantages of it. Finally, maintain the air compressor properly and wear safety gear to enjoy a safer and quality compressed air task.
