Been thinking. What size or how could I set up a system that will use my 7 gallon portable air tank and a compressor also? Have it set up that the compressor will pump to the tank, when the tank get's full, regulator kicks in and shuts off the pump. If I need it in the garage, attach a quick connect to it, if I need the tank, I disconnect the quick connect on the regulator side and then remove the tank. What are the best or good type of compressor? Would a 7 gallon tank be big enough so that someday if I decide to go air compressor tools, would that give me enough volume? What cfm should I look at? There are just tons of these things for sale and I really would hate to buy one with a tank when I have a perfectly good tank already, plus it's 7 gallons, a lot bigger than the 100 to 200 dollar price range for what you get. Anyone??
air compressor set up
- Thread starter Schmoe
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I have a craftsman with a 30 gallon tank. It puts out 8.6/6.4 cfm at 40/90 psi. The cfm numbers are really what you need to compare. Ignore any horsepower ratings, they're meaningless. My suggestion would be to check out some of the air tools you might want to use and get a compressor to satisfy those cfm requirements. Most common tools, like air ratchets, impact guns, etc. don't require much. Painting requires a whole bunch, though.
For my setup, I have the compressor connected to a copper pipe that runs from the garage to the basement. I've heard that PVC will also work, but I'm partial to copper. In the garage, at the end of the pipe is a 1/4" NPT adapter with a 3' rubber hose connected directly to the compressor (no quick connect for better flow, but then again, I don't see moving the compressor very often, it's rather big). I then have a tee in the line with another 1/4" NPT adapter with an air valve and quick connect that goes to a 50' hose reel. In the basement, I have a tee with the same valve/quick connect setup for anything I might want to use in my work room (blow gun, die grinder, etc).
I would suggest something similar for you. You could use a copper pipe as a manifold. Connect the compressor to one end, then include several 1/4" NPT adapters with valves (the valves are an optional but nice feature IMO) and quick disconnects. You can plug the tank into one of the disconnects, fire up the compressor and viola! You'd then plug your air tool into another disconnect and go to work.
For my setup, I have the compressor connected to a copper pipe that runs from the garage to the basement. I've heard that PVC will also work, but I'm partial to copper. In the garage, at the end of the pipe is a 1/4" NPT adapter with a 3' rubber hose connected directly to the compressor (no quick connect for better flow, but then again, I don't see moving the compressor very often, it's rather big). I then have a tee in the line with another 1/4" NPT adapter with an air valve and quick connect that goes to a 50' hose reel. In the basement, I have a tee with the same valve/quick connect setup for anything I might want to use in my work room (blow gun, die grinder, etc).
I would suggest something similar for you. You could use a copper pipe as a manifold. Connect the compressor to one end, then include several 1/4" NPT adapters with valves (the valves are an optional but nice feature IMO) and quick disconnects. You can plug the tank into one of the disconnects, fire up the compressor and viola! You'd then plug your air tool into another disconnect and go to work.
are you talking about having a regular compressor with a tank then adding your 7 gallon tank to the system? that would be as simple as a couple of fittings and a hose.
No, I just want the compressor and then tie that into my existing tank. I'm trying to use my existing tank, plus the ones you get now are only 2 to 5 gallon tanks, I figure if there is a way I could use my 7 gallon tank, I'd be better off and it would be cheaper than buying a whole system.
There is no such thing as too much air compressor tank capacity. Shoot for over 20 gallons of tank capacity, well over if you can.
A lot of air tools will take more air than an inexpensive air compressor can provide, but a good sized tank will even things out if your duty cycle is low.
I had a portable (on wheels) system with an 11 gallon tank that couldn't keep up with some tools, so got a cheap 2nd compressorfrom HF with an 8 gallon tank. I run both together when I need a lot of air. That beat replacing my old too small system with a big expensive new one for the 2% of the time I need more air.
I just thought I'd revive this thread with a picture or two. This first one shows the overall hookup of the compressor to my home made manifold.
Here's a closeup of the manifold. On the vertical side, there is simply a 1/2" cu to 1/8" NPT adapter with the compressor feed hose screwed directly in. The horizontal branch has a 1/2" cu to 1/8" NPT adapter, connected to an air valve, connected to a quick disconnect. The feeder to my hose reel is then connected to the disconnect.
All in all, I'm really happy with this setup. All it took was some soldering and a few parts. Like I mentioned earlier, the other end goes to my basement workshop. On that end, I have the exact same setup that is on the horizontal branch in the second photo. It works well. The only thing I would add is a valve to shut off the line to the basement. Right now, any time I open the regulator, it pressurizes the whole line, which is not always necessary.
Here's a closeup of the manifold. On the vertical side, there is simply a 1/2" cu to 1/8" NPT adapter with the compressor feed hose screwed directly in. The horizontal branch has a 1/2" cu to 1/8" NPT adapter, connected to an air valve, connected to a quick disconnect. The feeder to my hose reel is then connected to the disconnect.
All in all, I'm really happy with this setup. All it took was some soldering and a few parts. Like I mentioned earlier, the other end goes to my basement workshop. On that end, I have the exact same setup that is on the horizontal branch in the second photo. It works well. The only thing I would add is a valve to shut off the line to the basement. Right now, any time I open the regulator, it pressurizes the whole line, which is not always necessary.
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