Compressor tank expansion

[Bradley fish]

Hi,
I currently own a Wolf Sioux 24L, 2.5hp, 9.5cfm air compressor which I use mainly with a blow gun and ratchet. The ratchet drains the tank within a matter of seconds, bringing the pressure below 90psi which is what I need to maintain to use the ratchet. Any way bottom line is can I add another air tank to maintain the pressure so that I do not have to stop and wait for the main tank to refill/re-pressurise every 2 minuets.

Will appreciate any advice or help

Thanks

 

[madkayaker]

Yes you can add extra capacity. Propane cylinders are commonly used. However it will take longer to fill so don't go daft with extra capacity or you can over jest the pump.

 

[chevy2]

This has been discussed several times,
I have added a 200litre tank to my 25 litre compressor,
Have a read here and through the compressor section should help.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/extra-tank-plumbing-help.44376/

Oh, and welcome!

 

[Bradley fish]

This has been discussed several times,
I have added a 200litre tank to my 25 litre compressor,
Have a read here and through the compressor section should help.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/extra-tank-plumbing-help.44376/

Oh, and welcome!

Thanks for the link

 

[rikrobson]

The main problem you have is the compressor is not bigenough to drive your tools. if you get a bigger tank the time to fill will be greater too 8 times if you get a 200l tank!!! your tools will still drain the tank. I'd start looking for a second small comressor and link them or get a bigger compressor.

 

[Mr shiney]

You also need to remember those little compressors only have a small duty cycle so adding extra storage is only going to exceed the duty cycle and you will end up with a blown motor.

 

[500e]

As it gets hot it will also produce more moisture (water).
When we were young we used 4 large Propane cylinders & an old butchers cold room compressor pump worked ok but the propane smell was still there for years, hung the tanks valve down a manifold into a small tank with drain on bottom & demand pipe at top of tank, worked well enough to learn to spray cars.

 

[pedrobedro]

I used a lorry brake tank to build my first compressor. Various sizes are available from scrapyards so you don't have to go too large.

 

[chevy2]

A small compressor filling a larger slave tank works fine which i've done a couple of times,

It works fairly well in home workshops as it can extend the running time of an air tool from a couple of minutes to maybe 10 before dropping below the pressure needed to run the tool,

as said you need to aware of the longer running time to refill the tank which can possibly overheat the compressor motor, observe that rule and its a good upgrade.

 

[Bradley fish]

Thanks for the advice, I am going to get a small nitrogen bottle and hook it straight to the main tank. My only worry is when I drill it to add a drain will the sworf screw up my tools if I don't get it all out. What could I do to prevent this ? Better safe than sorry.

 

[zx9]

................ My only worry is when I drill it to add a drain will the sworf screw up my tools if I don't get it all out. What could I do to prevent this ? Better safe than sorry.

You should have a filter before the air tools, that would catch the swarf as well as any moisture.

 

[ASL3312]

That's the same compressor as I've got. I have fitted a new pressure switch with an adjustable differential pressure, along with a 10bar blow off valve. The switch cuts out at around 9bar and cuts back in at around 7bar.

 

[Bradley fish]

Ahhhh will have to go and find a filter then as I have not got one fitted :S oops

I have fitted a new pressure switch with an adjustable differential pressure.

What is differential as I can not quite get my head around what it changes.

 

[chevy2]

Ahhhh will have to go and find a filter then as I have not got one fitted :S oops

What is differential as I can not quite get my head around what it changes.

I'd imagine you can adjust the on/off pressure in the starter switch like a compessor i had once,

Whereas it shuts off around 120psi and cuts in around 90psi this can be changed up or down with still a 30psi window between on/off, for example it can be adjusted to cut in at 110psi and shuts off at 140psi,

remember that the pressures that are dialled in at the factory are for a reason=safety.

 

[Robotstar5]

remember that the pressures that are dialled in at the factory are for a reason=safety.

Unless you get an Aldi one, mine popped the safety valve before it hit the cut-off pressure! I had to adjust the pressure switch down myself

 

[chevy2]

Unless you get an Aldi one, mine popped the safety valve before it hit the cut-off pressure! I had to adjust the pressure switch down myself

You cant beat good old chinese build quality and quality control

 

[brightspark]

Unless you get an Aldi one, mine popped the safety valve before it hit the cut-off pressure! I had to adjust the pressure switch down myself

but how do u know if the pressure gauge was acurate

 

[Robotstar5]

but how do u know if the pressure gauge was acurate

Didn't take much notice of the gauge, just wound it down 'til it cut-off before the safety valve blew.

 

[ASL3312]

What is differential as I can not quite get my head around what it changes.

Its the difference in pressure between when the compressor cuts out, ie when the tank is at full pressure, and the pressure at which the pump kicks back in.

Before I changed the standard pressure switch, the compressor would cut out at 8bar / 116psi. In use, the pressure would have to drop to around 5bar / 72psi before the motor started back up again.

With the new switch the gap can be adjusted so it can cut in sooner or the pressure can drop further before the motor starts. Now it cuts out at 9bar (I have replaced the blow off valve with a 10bar one) and kicks back in at 7bar.

remember that the pressures that are dialled in at the factory are for a reason=safety.

The original blow off valve is rated 8.8bar . The tank working pressure is 8bar, tested pressure is 12bar ie 50% more than working pressure.

Running at 9bar surely should be safe?

I'd start looking for a second small compressor and link them or get a bigger compressor.

Where would you link the 2, at the tank so effectively having 2 motors filling up 1 tank, or at the outputs so having 2 separate tanks and motors but 1 outlet?

 

[Bradley fish]

Pretty simple then.
Thanks for the advice and help guys