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Air compressor question

jon f mn

jon f mn

Well-known Member
I recently got an air compressor from a friend. It
is a 7.5 hp 2 stage and it works good except the
tank is rusted and leaks. I've seen the pics of
what happens when an air tank blows and want
nothing to do with that. Been looking for a used
one but haven't been able to find one that isn't
already 10+ years old and I don't want to buy one
that may already be near rusted through. Getting a
new one is outside my budget right now. I saw in
Fleet Farm the other day that I can get a new 100
lb. propane tank for a little over $100.00. I
could get 2 of those for less than a new air tank.
Anyone know what kind of pressure they would hold?
I need about 150 lbs. Draining the water would be
a problem so I would make a stand to hold them
upside down and plumb them so they can be drained.
Or if anyone knows of an air tank in Mn. or
western Wi. that would be good too.
 
"Anyone know what kind of pressure they would hold"

Sorry I dont have the PSI rating, I'm sure someone will have HOWEVER I betcha they are MUCH HIGHER then the thin wimpy portable air storage tanks sold at Wally World or TCS or Rural King etc. On my 2 State (with LP Tank) I had the shut off set around 150 PSI.

I have used LP tanks for years never a problem.

Be sure to plumb in a relief dump valve so the compressor doesn't have to start up looking at high pressure, and proper disconnect means, starter, and thermal overload protection etc.

John T
 
100 pound LP tanks work perfectly as pressure tanks. I have two mounted upside down as you describe for additional air storage. My compressor shuts off at 160#.

Glenn F.
 
The minimum allowable proof pressure (hydro test pressure) for a propane cylinder is 960 psi. And the standard propane tank safety relief valve is set for 375 psi. So will be fine to use a propane tank for 150 psi air.

Just be sure to include a relief valve set for 175 to 200 psi to protect the rest of the system!
 


Isn't the test pressure and working pressure stamped into the tank?

Propane pressure can hit 200+ PSI on a hot day, so the WP of the tanks must be higher than that???
 
Ive seen some Amish shops with a bank of 1000 gal tanks for storage. Must take forever to get up to pressure with that little windmill...
 
I have one you can have just come and get it. 100 LP tank. I have several and wouldn't mind parting with one. Around Ettrick WI.
 
Get that truck headed east, and when you're almost to Loren's, stop in and I'll give you an 80 gal. air tank. I was given a used two stage compressor and the pump blew up.
 
I had a home built compressor I bought from a friend for sandblasting that was a 100# propane tank. I worked fine but there was no way to drain condensation. Eventually rusted to where it leaked.
 
(quoted from post at 19:29:31 08/20/14) I had a home built compressor I bought from a friend for sandblasting that was a 100# propane tank. I worked fine but there was no way to drain condensation. Eventually rusted to where it leaked.
Click to expand...

As posted above mount them upside down. Have a drain valve in the line below them.
 
My shop built compressor tank started out as a 100lb tank also. Been in use for nearly forty years. It lays on it's side - has legs and attachment points welded on it. Drain is easily made by welding a pipe coupling to the tank and drilling thru the center of it. I tested mine to 175 PSI, then used a 125 PSI pop off. I'm not advocating the use of such home made explosive machinery - just telling you what I've gotten away with. So far.
 
This is from 20 or more years ago, but it seems like propane tanks are rated 250 pounds at 650 degrees and 650 pounds at 250 degrees.
 
The design pressure is quite high but there is no corrosion allowance in the wall thickness!!! Propane tanks don't rust internally very much like an air tank.
 
Found an OLD pic of my compressor. Main tank is a propane bottle. Little tank is a piece of 5" pipe with plates welded on the ends. I don't leave the compressor on all the time. It takes 30 seconds to fill the little tank for airing a tire or other small job. If I'm needing more air volume, I valve open the big tank.

I'm in no way recommending that anyone build their own pressure tank. I've been using this thing for nearly 40 years, but that doesn't mean that it's safe. . .
a167123.jpg
 
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