Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Attention Forum Users: On the 28th of December 2023 at 9:00am Central Time, we will be taking the forums down for maintenance while we prepare the new forums for your use. Please click here for more information.

Discussion Forum

Should I remove the Tank from a Compressor

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Dan

02-27-2003 05:47:57




Report to Moderator

I have got a large workshop compressor 14 CFM, bought from a collective sale consequently it may have been there because it failed its insurance test. Therefore I would like to operate the compressor without the tank. Is this practical considering its 14 cfm output? would i need an extra high capacity safety valve? And most importantly - what happens when a tank fails, does it burst or explode? I only plan to use it occaisonally for paint spraying, sand blasting and perhaps an impact wrench, but i dont want the insurance hassle with pressurised cylinders. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Paul Janke

02-28-2003 06:58:49




Report to Moderator
 Re: Should I remove the Tank from a Compressor in reply to Dan, 02-27-2003 05:47:57  
I have seen air tanks which have exploded, but it was not because of the tank. It was from a worn out compressor being run fast. If the compressor pumps a lot of oil and is being run fast, it gets hot enough to diesel (ignite from the heat of compression). The fire then follows through the piping to the reservoir which is also full of oil fumes. That fire is fast enough that we know of it as an explosion. The pressure is high and the damage can be catastrophic.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dan

02-28-2003 03:09:12




Report to Moderator
 Re: Should I remove the Tank from a Compressor in reply to Dan, 02-27-2003 05:47:57  
Thanks for your help



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Slowpoke

02-27-2003 21:54:44




Report to Moderator
 Re: Should I remove the Tank from a Compressor in reply to Dan, 02-27-2003 05:47:57  
Somewhere I have a phamplet that shows the results of tanks "exploding". One went thru the roof of a two story building. It landed in a field a few hundred feet away. Others have large pieces torn out of the side which wound up severly damaging other equipment.
In one case, I think the guy got killed from shrapnel. It sound like a great idea to hydrostatic test an unknown tank. My friend just bought a nice compressor at auction. It runs great. Only one small problem.... it has a small hole at the bottom due to water rusting away for several years. Tanks need to be drained frequently.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
T_Bone

02-27-2003 16:52:59




Report to Moderator
 Re: Should I remove the Tank from a Compressor in reply to Dan, 02-27-2003 05:47:57  
Hi Dan,

Generally air tanks don't explode when they rupture and air down extreamly fast. I've had refrigerant cylinders blow there rupture disc at 500psi plus and it's just noisey but thats a known pure gas.

Used Air cylinders also contain oil (a fuel source) so it's prossible that one could explode. For an explosion to occur you need three things, Fuel, oxygen and ignition.

I would not run a compressor with out a tank as John already stated.

T_Bone

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
cannonball

02-28-2003 06:24:19




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Should I remove the Tank from a Compressor in reply to T_Bone, 02-27-2003 16:52:59  
T bone finally someone agrees with me about the tanks blowing up..it's the oxygen and oil with compression..have even fixed tanks with holes in them just to repair them about 2 years later with another hole..very important to drain tank for 2 reasons for water and to keep the oil drained also...thanks have nice day may god bless



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
allisguy

02-27-2003 16:40:18




Report to Moderator
 Re: Should I remove the Tank from a Compressor in reply to Dan, 02-27-2003 05:47:57  
Dan, Do not take any chances by using the compressor with an unknown tank condition. My friend's compressor exploded (faulty pressure relief valve)in his garage. Not only was there schrappnel damage eveywhere but the thing became a missile and destoyed his $20,000.00 fishing boat and did major damage to his brand new F-350. Lucky that he was taking a break at the time.
allisguy



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
John A.

02-27-2003 15:46:05




Report to Moderator
 Re: Should I remove the Tank from a Compressor in reply to Dan, 02-27-2003 05:47:57  
Get a GRANGER catalogue, they have replacement tanks . You will be glad you did! Later after you have that compressor up & going corectly, go find an old 250/500 gal. LP tank plum it into your new tank, you will quaddruple the air volume you will have available for painting or sandblasting . Saw this trick from the COOP where I used to farm. They had it for airing up tires on Anhydrous Ammonia trailers . additional volume added cheaply.
Good Luck, John A.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
john

02-27-2003 14:21:26




Report to Moderator
 Re: Should I remove the Tank from a Compressor in reply to Dan, 02-27-2003 05:47:57  
Dan,

that compressor is no good... don't even consider using it... ship it a.s.a.p. to my home address.. I'll take care of disposal for you..
:-)

your helper/friend
john



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Robert

02-27-2003 13:29:46




Report to Moderator
 Re: Should I remove the Tank from a Compressor in reply to Dan, 02-27-2003 05:47:57  
Sometimes, tanks are not recertified because of age. The test is easy enough to do (and safe). All that's required, is to fill the tank completely with water. Put or make an adapter from something like a porta power with an inline gauge (through a t fitting), and screw the adapter into one end. Then start pumping up the pressure with the porta power until you get to 150% of the working pressure of the tank (if 100 psi, go to 150 psi, etc). Gently tap on the tank while under pressure--if nothing happens, tank is fine and safe to use. IF by some odd chance there is a problem with the tank, it will crack, and leak water everywhere---it will NOT explode, which would be the case if you were to use only air. This is called a "hydrostatic" test, and is the way tanks are tested before they leave the factory.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
John

02-27-2003 12:08:29




Report to Moderator
 Re: Should I remove the Tank from a Compressor in reply to Dan, 02-27-2003 05:47:57  
The tank acts as a capacitor or reservoir in your compressed air system and it is needed. If all you had was a pump and an air hose, your pump would be constantly turning on and off every few seconds. The pump would get the air up to a set pressure and turn off. One little squirt from your air hose and your pressure will immediately drop off and the pump will restart. You might not think this is a problem, "ah, just a little extra wear on my pump", but you won't like it. You may also notice pulsations at the air hose or spray gun when the pump is running. The tank absorbs and smooths out the compression stroke on reciprocating pumps. Get a tank which you know is safe to use, you'll be glad you did.
John

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy