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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Series or parallel air tank connection ?

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Zane(WA)

08-23-2004 10:40:34




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I have three 30 gal air tanks and would like to connect them together for a larger storage capacity (i.e. less compressor cycle time) for regulated use with either air tools or for sandblasting. Which configuration would be more beneficial, connecting them in series or parallel? Or would it make any difference? All three are from dealer stock in which the compressor units were removed, so there isn't a question of safety, condition or serviceabilty.

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Rick Kr

08-26-2004 07:05:24




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to Zane(WA), 08-23-2004 10:40:34  
Zane,
I am running 3 30 gallon tanks and a 6hp with 30 gallon compressor. I have all my tanks in a row mounted a rack at ceiling height (more floor space of course). I have hard lined the entire garage in 3/4". I have 3/4 ball valve to shut off the main feed from the 3 tanks at the ceiling. I have two three foot drip legs before going in to the dryer. If just doing little stuff I run the compressor. If painting I open the valve and charge up the other 3 tanks. I have had these tanks hooked in different ways overt the last couple years, and the two biggest things I found to worry about as mentioned below was
1. Water. You cannot believe the amount coming out of the drip legs. Check them often. 2. Flow. The best thing I found for flow was to get rid of the 1/4" connectors and go to the 3/8" automotive fittings. I found them at Home Depot pretty cheap. And you can see the performance difference on the tools that are air hogs. HVLP sprayer, big grinder, impact.

Just my two cents, but this setup has worked good for me for the last 3 years.
Rick

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Fred OH

08-24-2004 08:26:21




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to Zane(WA), 08-23-2004 10:40:34  
Hook them up any way you want but use quick couplings and shutoff valves on at least one of them ...so you can pull it out of line and have a portable air supply already charged up. The rest of the posts sound okay but no one suggested this so I will...for what it"s worth. Fred OH



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Kendall

08-24-2004 09:26:22




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to Fred OH, 08-24-2004 08:26:21  
Thats what makes these discussion forums so great,- everybody pitches in with ideas!



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MarkB

08-23-2004 17:54:16




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to Zane(WA), 08-23-2004 10:40:34  
If your air line has a long run, consider putting a tank at the far end of the run. This will help reduce the pressure drop in the line.



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george md

08-23-2004 13:14:46




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to Zane(WA), 08-23-2004 10:40:34  
Zane, Parallel is fine for volume , series will give you just as much flow if the ports and connecting lines are large enough diameter . Series will give the added benefit of acting like a progressive drier , each tank will remove a little more water .

george



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good answer

08-23-2004 19:17:55




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to george md, 08-23-2004 13:14:46  
It's pretty amazing how much water you can get from each tank if run in series.



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Zane( WA)

08-23-2004 19:46:10




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to good answer , 08-23-2004 19:17:55  
Makes sense it does! I hadn't considered that aspect, I've always used a water separator at the tank outlet and a smaller drier/oiler at or nearer the tool.



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Kendall

08-23-2004 13:04:22




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to Zane(WA), 08-23-2004 10:40:34  
There is no "positive" or "negative" on an air tank so you really cant hook them up that way. What you"re getting here is air volume capacity. Hook "em up like JHesler suggest and I like Ron"s idea of a cutoff valve in case you have to shuffel your shop around.



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JHesler

08-23-2004 11:11:24




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to Zane(WA), 08-23-2004 10:40:34  
I don't see how you can series connect air tanks unless you have an inlet and outlet on each tank. And if you did, the only thing it would accomplish is flow restriction. Either way the pressure will be the same. The only way to increase pressure would be to have a series connection of tanks and compressors. Use one large pipe as a manifold and tee off to each tank with it.



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TheRealRon

08-23-2004 11:00:36




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to Zane(WA), 08-23-2004 10:40:34  
Neither.

"T" them off the air line with a valve between each tank and line. That way, if you ever have to remove a tank, you simply close the valve and pull the tank. Your use of shop air is not affected nor do you have to break any pipe connections.



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Ben in KY

08-23-2004 11:57:36




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to TheRealRon, 08-23-2004 11:00:36  
Teeing the lines together is a functional parallel.



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Jet9N

08-23-2004 11:23:01




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to TheRealRon, 08-23-2004 11:00:36  
I always parallel them. Put a valve at each tank
and one on the common air line. Now you have a
choice, Using one tank if you need only a little
occasionly, or all the tanks when you need a lot
of air.

HTH

Jet



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Big Jim

08-23-2004 19:55:48




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 Re: Series or parallel air tank connection ? in reply to Jet9N, 08-23-2004 11:23:01  
I recently added a second tank in series on my system and I was astounded at how much less moisture I get in my airline now. After sanding for a while on a hot summer afternoon, I used to get a spray out of the DA. Now, not a hint. My second tank has fittings on both ends so I just come in from the compressors tank outlet to one end and tap my lines off the other end. That is a series connection, there is no requirement for a positive or negative to make a series or parallel connection. That only is important in ELECTRICAL connections. I have a shutoff valve in the inlet side of #2 so I can just close the valve and unplug the flex line from the Quick Coupler in the compressor tank to take it out of the system if I want to.

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