Air Compressor Simple Upgrade - CHEAP & EASY - Increase Tank Capacity!

[GFlCh]

Great video. I'd recommend adding a shutoff valve (one-quarter turn ball valve), between the new tee on the auxiliary storage tank, and the (orange) lead line. Then you can close the new valve when you detatch the lead line from the compressor to hold the air in the auxiliary storage tank (actually holds the air in both tank systems) allowing you to retain its functionality as a pressurized portable tank. Plus this eliminates "wasting" the stored air pressure and reduces the time the compressor needs to run to pressurize the system thenext time you attach the auxiliary storage tank (if htere is pressure remaining there).

Or, alternately, install a coupler on the new tee on the auxiliary storage tank, and another plug on the end of the (orange) lead line. This means the (orange) lead line will have a plug at each end. Then to disconnect the auxiliary storage tank from the compressor, first back off the regulator valve to 0 PSI, then disconnect the (orange) lead line from the new coupler on the auxiliary storage tank. Again, you'll now be able to use the auxiliary storage tank as a pressurized portable tank.

Finally, for safety sake, I'd consider finding a way to reinstall the pressure relief valve on the auxiliary storage tank. Either add a second tee to add another port/fitting for the relief valve, or use a 4-port ("x" or "cross") fitting instead of the tee, to start with. This would add a margin of safety in case the auxiliary storage tank was exposed to (extreme) heat, which might cause the pressure to rise above the tank rating.

[chatorosales]

Dude, you need to be on TV!! You’re not like other people with the “and, uh”. You got the narrating down cold.

[TheJaredC]

To correct one thing you said in the video: "The equalized tank pressure between both tanks of the Husky, as well as that auxiliary tank, have an equalized pressure of 125 PSI."

That's incorrect. The tanks attached to the Husky are at 125 PSI, however the auxiliary tank, since it's on the OUTPUT side of the compressor, is limited to the pressure set by the output regulator. In this case, the auxiliary tank will be at about 90 PSI. Because of that, the auxiliary tank works more as a buffer tank than it does as a storage tank - it can give bursts of air for tools that use a lot (impact gun is a perfect example), but because the auxiliary tank is regulated by the output (and at the same PSI level as the tool you're using), the tanks on the Husky will drain every bit as quickly as they did before the mod in order to refill the auxiliary tank. In order for the auxiliary tank to help the other two tanks, it does need to be on the unregulated side sitting at 125 PSI.

There's two easy ways to fix this:
1. Set the output regulator to maximum, and add a secondary regulator on the auxiliary tank with an output gauge.
2. Remove the drain plug from the Husky tank, thread in a fitting, and add the auxiliary tank connection straight to the Husky tanks.

Option number 1 is a bit more expensive, but doesn't have the water issues that option number 2 has (the water from the Husky will be pushed into the auxiliary tank and need to be drained).

[sandym]

Sorry if this has already been commented on but it is pretty important. You have to install a one way valve between the quick connector and the extra tank. There is a high hazard scenario where a quick connector could be inadvertantly disconnected allowing the total volume of the extra tank to rapidly vent through the unckecked male connector.
Alternately, a double action quick connector could replace the standard quick connector. Ideally the quick connector should be changed out for a thread connection system such as NPT or BSP.
Hope this helps

[Lasurge]

Wow you made this so easy to follow along with. Straight and to the point . Probably the best video on YouTube for this application. Every other video that I seen the person babbles on about useless irrelevant information other than what I am trying to accomplish and don’t make it easy to follow along. Thank you for not babbling.

[Leeroy]

this guy's got the best tool reviews on YouTube. hands down. he explains everything to a T. if I'm looking for a new tool I make sure and watch his review. he is like the Hickok45 of the tool world

[eawhit]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for making this video. I used your technique to double my system capacity from 10 to 20 pounds for blowing out the sprinklers. Worked fantastic!

I’ve probably watched all your videos over the years and learned a lot. Thanks!!!

[chandiaz]

Took your idea and applied it to a Porter Cable 6 gallon pancake tank. The Porter Cable compressor had its days so I’ve removed the compressor and all the valves, gages. Plugged the hole were the gages and regulator was installed with a quick disconnect that was on the gage setup. Now all I need to do is purchase the “T” since I have all other parts you used in this video. Thanks I needed to give my 21 gallon compressor more capacity for air tools I’m using.

[TheMechanicalPhilosopher]

Years ago I made a T like this but with 2 male and one female connectors so that we could connect any two people's compressors together to run the whole job site off of what we independent contractors normally carried. This is also a great reason to collect old compressors, those tanks are valuable. You've got a very nice mic there, no more changing volume/tone.

[johnnyboy]

In addition to storage capacity, I think this also showed another important point: Airflow. While the Huskey compressor has pressure, it doesn't flow the air well due to the fittings, lines or regulator being restrictive. The auxiliary tank with the way it was set up flows a lot more air, which you can see with the impact being much more powerful, and the fact that after using the tool it took a few seconds to refill the auxiliary tank. Nice work!

[damienmikkelsen]

BRO! I was about to return my compressor and spend $300 more to get a compressor to run my palm sander for diy auto paint repair. Genius idea. Thank you!!!!

[chuckkolancz]

I’m so glad I saw this. Was about to go drop a couple hundred bucks on an air compressor id use once every other month to use my impact. Now I can go spend $60 and get by with the impact a lot better and also have air to keep in the bed of my truck in case my tires get low. Thanks!

[robthewaywardwoodworker]

Good simple idea to expand capacity. But did anyone mention how good your video is? Great quality and production. Thanks for taking the time to make a video that is easy to watch and listen to. I'll have to check out more of them!

[johnmcdougald]

I did something like that but I installed a ball valve inline on the auxiliary tank so I could also use it to just fill the tank and use it for smaller projects around the house. You get the benefit of the unrestricted air flow and still have the original portability of the tank.

[dmoore]

I did mine much simpler and it is still very effective. I kept my portable tank as originally configured with the safety valve etc and attached a 3/8 hose with a standard1/4 in quick disconnect adapter on the output port. I then plugged a 3-way standard disconnect manifold into the output port of my compressor. I connected the portable tank to one of the 3-way ports and my tools to the other two ports. Major difference in tool power and reduced compressor motor running time. I run impact guns, ratchets, and grinders etc with no problem now. Maybe the small output hole on the portable tank is reducing my power slightly, but not enough of a problem to notice. I have a total of 15 gallons now and can still easily transport my tank to fill tires etc by simply connecting a valve stem adapter to the quick disconnect. As a note, in its original configuration, air can flow both ways on these tanks, meaning you can fill it and pull air from the same port and hose. So basically many ways to skin a cat and get the same or similar results.

[ThePete]

So, I did this years ago when painting my pickup. I use one of those Porter Cable 6gal pancakes evdry year. One year, I saved the broken one year, and made an auc tank. What I found is yes, you get twice the capacity, but it takes twice as long to fill. Not good when painting a pickup. I ended up firing up my wheel barrow Emglow, with 5hp Honda. With that the tank will fill while I am painting. What you need is a larger pump. The compressor gets super hot running super longrunning so much longer, and using constant for painting, or impact steady.that is what I found anyway

[dandavis]

Simple and too the point. No family history and compressor past failures. Good video.

[stewartadams]

Nice video. This is the first of yours that I have seen. You have a really good voice and delivery for this type of informational and help video. I'll be looking forward to seeing what else you've done.

[roadrageburleson]

I did this project myself but added a quick release on both sides of the t fitting so I can disconnect it and move it to the back yard and hook it up to the small compressor in my shed when working out there and not loose any of the stored air in the process. Thanks for the great Idea.

[wingerrrrrrrrr]

It's good if you have the patience for the longer charge times, but as mentioned at the end, it's not a substitute for a larger compressor, because it doubles the wait time for charging. 5:43 Attaching a 60 gallon tank to it would allow you to do all four wheels at a time, as long as you can have breakfast while charging it up initially.