Two tanks - one compressor

[bw4sale]

Can I run two 3 gallon tanks and only one compressor? I'm thinking of going this route so that I can put the tanks under the bed instead of in the bed. How would you plumb it? Just run a line between the two tanks to connect them with the compressor connected to one of them or split the line coming from the compressor and send a feed to both tanks?

[N2TRUX]

It depends on how your bungs are arranged. On my 77 we have the inlet going in one end of the 1st tank and the outlet on the same end of the 2nd tank. The tanks are married on the other end.

[bw4sale]

My compressor will probably be mounted somewhere around where yours is, but my tanks will be outside the framerails on each side. I would rather send a feed to both tanks rather than tie them together, but didn't know if this would cause any issues.

[jimmydean]

I would think you would want your feed line as short as possible, so it's best to tie the tanks together. You could still do the tanks outside, just mount the compressor near one of them, then run a line to the other.

[dznucks]

I am running two 3 gal tanks and a single compressor. i ran mine like n2trux describes, but my tanks are on either side of the frame rails, in front of the rear tires. Compressor is in back passenger corner tucked up under the bed.

What type of valve set up do you plan to run? seperate valves or valve block?

If you run a dual feed, your doubling you chances that something could happen to that feed line and take out your whole system. ie, road debris or something. I ran a single 3/8" hard line from the compressor to the first tank. then ran 1/2" hard line from tank to tank and then from the second tank to my accuair valve block. The larger 1/2" line allows more volume of air to be delivered.

One thing to remember about pressure is that the pressure in a system is equal everywhere in the system at all times. So your not gaining anything by using a dual feed, just adding risk.

[bw4sale]

That makes sense about the risk. Hadn't even thought of that.

I'm going with the accuair VU4 block (don't have it yet). Here's what I was thinking. If I run a feed to each tank, then I can run a line from each tank to the block since it has 2 air inputs. I believe the 3 gal. tanks have just two ports plus a small port for a gauge. Do I gain anything by running two feeds to the block? The pressures the same but what about the volume?

[bw4sale]

Anyone else have any thoughts?

[dznucks]

Yes you would gain from using both inlets on the accuair block.
The block used 3/8" ports. I ran a single 1/2" hard line to the block then split it into two 3/8 lines to feed both ports. Its lighting quick when you raise the truck.

in this link you can get the idea for how i ran my lines. i can get a good picture of whats inside the black box. both the valve and ecu are inside. i wanted to keep all of that stuff protected from debris and water.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=399396

[mario1128]

how about on the feedline to each tank have a checkvalve to only let air in in case the main line or other tank goes bad it wont empty both tanks.

[dznucks]

how about on the feedline to each tank have a checkvalve to only let air in in case the main line or other tank goes bad it wont empty both tanks.

very good point....i forgot to mention.

The Viair compressor has a check valve at the end of the pigtail. With the Accuair valve you will want to put a check valve between the second tank and the valve. when the pressure in the tanks drops below the pressure in the bags, the valve will back flow and the whole system will drain, bags and all.

Doing this will seal your air supply system in the event of compressor failure or valve malfunction. I designed my system with preventing failure in mind.

[bw4sale]

With the Accuair valve you will want to put a check valve between the second tank and the valve. when the pressure in the tanks drops below the pressure in the bags, the valve will bag flow and the whole system will drain, bags and all.

Good idea. Hadn't thought about that.