Technical question about air compressors ...

[TouringBubble]

Okay, I picked up a small "pancake" compressor/tank from a local guy over the weekend. It's a REALLY small tank and compressor ... maybe a 1 gal. The compressor isn't really powerful either, as it's only made to fill that small space.

I also have a 5 gallon tank that rarely gets used as the compressor at the gas station on the corner never works right ... damaged hose/nozzle, low pressure, etc.

Since neither is super useful for filling car tires, I was thinking of taking the compressor off of the small setup and mounting it to the 5 gallon tank to make something useful. I know that the small compressor will take a while to fill the larger tank, but I'm not trying to run air tools or anything off of this ... just use it to fill tires and do boost leak tests on the Evo.

This is what I've considered so far ...

• Will likely need mounts added to the 5 gal tank. I can fab that.
• Small compressor may overheat if I attempt to fill it all at once. Will have to stagger the initial fill and then plan to keep pressure in it.
• No specs on the compressor on the outside, so no clue how strong it actually it. Is it even worth it?
• The fittings seem to be the same. 1/4" maybe. The only connection between the tank and compressor is one fitting. Is this correct?
• Pressure is pressure, right? So if the compressor can push 100psi in to the 1 gal tank, it can eventually get there on the 5 gal, correct?

[chuck schultz]

I have a chuck on my little compressor that locks it on the 5-gal tank while it (eventually) fills it. It gets the whole thing up to the same pressure as it would with just the compressor's tank, given enough time.

On the down side, I've already had one small compressor fail. I don't know if this is related to this setup, or if it just got old and worn out.

[Welacey]

Matt the small compressor will definitely overheat and fail much sooner than a suitable size. You can probably find a decent new one for about $150-$200 that should last many years, versus many replacements and much agravation with the punky one.

[TouringBubble]

Wally, I get what you're saying, but I honestly can't afford a real compressor right now. I just need something to tide me over. If it fails, I'm out $30. If I leave it on the small tank, I can fill one tire at a time ... maybe.

I think I'm going to give it a shot.

[Cholewa]

Why not just use the ole cigarette lighter compressor? Or get one of them new fangled battery jumpers with an air compressor built in (like mine)? It's not instant air like at a gas station, but it will add 10lbs in 2 minutes.

[TouringBubble]

I've had 2 of those fail on me way too soon. Just trying a different route.

[bamajason]

i would say try it. like you said if it fails then no big deal. and if it last this season then next season you can get a new one thats bigger. and also between now and then you might run across one at a gret deal.

[TouringBubble]

Messed with this today a little. Stripped everything off of the 5 gallon and started to do the same on the 1 gallon.

The compressor requires 2 connections to the tank. Makes sense ... one to pump to and one to push to the hose if you want to use it while the compressor is running. So, I'll need to add one other bung to the large tank. I will also need to move the mounting brackets for the compressor to the new tank. The fittings on the 2 tanks are different sizes too, but that's irrelevant really.

I did test the pump to see how good it is. I got the 1 gallon tank up to 100 psi in 5 min. A rough estimation on that would mean it would put 20 psi (average) in the 5 gallon tank in the same 5 min. Not too bad really.

[chuck schultz]

I'm not sure I'd be modifying a tank that will be pressurized. . .

[TouringBubble]

I'm sure it will be fine. I plan to overlay the welds for strength.

[bmwe21]

why don't you go to Lowe's , get 2 female quick disconnects--2 male connectors and a pipe coupling that the males will screw into , put one female on the new compressors outlet hose, put one on your old air tank hose, then get two male connectors screw them into each end of the pipe coupling, this way you can fill both tanks at the same time , and use them sepratly, I'm with Chuck , it's not worth the risk!

[w. leavitt]

I'm sure it'll be fine if he uses duct tape.......

[TouringBubble]

I'm sure it'll be fine if he uses duct tape.......

Lol.

Guys, I understand the concern, but you all do realize that tanks are welded together, right? The ones on my tank are even ground down afterward to make it pretty. It will not be difficult to make a seam stronger than that. And, to be honest, 100psi isn't a lot of pressure unless you're using really thin metal.

I will take precautions for safety and make sure the welds will hold as well as use quality materials. I don't want a bung exploding out of it and hitting me or a car in the garage. But, I'm very confident that won't happen.

[e30Racer]

In the famous words of Jeremy Clarkson....

"How hard can it be?".......

[TouringBubble]

I have a friend that does fabricating for a living and it quite good with a TIG torch. No worries.