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Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut




So I admit my google-fu has been very weak on this. But I got a Tc-20 tankless air compressor for my birthday 2 months ago and I'm looking to add a tank to it. I see that you can buy them with a tank included so I know it's possible to add one but I don't wanna buy a whole new setup.

So my question is does anyone have any resources where I can find out what kind of tank I can add to my compressor? Or has done it themselves and can talk me through it?
   
Made in us
Drakhun





Eaton Rapids, MI

I'd check with Harbor Freight, or TCP global, look at the repair parts sections and see if you can find a tank.

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Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut




Sweet thanks I'll check them out.
   
Made in us
Privateer





The paint dungeon, Arizona

I'm going to say you're most likely out of luck. The cost of adding a tank will likely be more than just getting a whole new TC-20-T will be.

Its not just a tank that you need, but the pressure switch as well. And as I have built my own air compressor, finding a pressure switch for less than 15$ is rather difficult.

If you are wanting a tank to get the pulsation out of the line, theres a few other options, the easiest being to add a longer hose( like 25-50 feet) which in essence act a bit like an air tank but also provides a buffer for the pulsation problem a tankless compressor can give.

If you're handy with tools- you could also get some pipe and make a small 'in line' tank with 3 or 4 inch pipe and some air fittings threaded into a cap. With the low pressure the tc20's make you could even make it out of PVC pipe and be totally safe. (Safety note: only use PVC pipe with the little airbrush compressors and low pressures under 60 psi. Some claim its safe for higher pressures-and it usually is, but iron pipe is cheap too and can handle more PSI- its just heavy and needs more care from rust via condensation issues).

Bear in mind neither of those options will have the compressor shut off on its own. The set up I made for a freind to keep things super cheap- was a 4 inch PVC pipe 'air tank' with the pressure regulator moved to the top of it. The top of the 'tank' sat even with his desk, the compressor on the 'floor'. And I got him a 10$ foot switch from Harbor Freight- so he can just turn the compressor on and off with a click of his toe- and watch the pressure right at his desk. The compressor is behind his desk in a plastic box(rubbermaid) and I put a small fan on it(also on the foot switch) to keep it cool. Inside the box the TC20T is almost unheard and the little desk fan keeps it from overheating.
   
Made in gb
Secretive Dark Angels Veteran



UK - Warwickshire

http://www.everythingairbrush.com/acatalog/Air_Tanks.html

something like these?

'Ain't nothing crazy about me but my brain. Right brain? Riight! No not you right brain! Right left brain? Right!... Okay then lets do this!! 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut




Thanks for the responses everyone.
@hairysticks thanks I'm looking into those now.

Edit:@mistress thanks for the response as well. I'm very handy with tools and have no problem with the mechanics of doing the project. More just finding the parts and or ideas for getting a tank on it. I'm also looking I to storage of air so my compressor isn't running all the time. Pulsation surprisingly hasn't been an issue for me.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/09/09 20:10:03


 
   
Made in us
Privateer





The paint dungeon, Arizona

You mean something like this?

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/290314.page

A TC20 wont fill a tank like that very well- but better than no tank. But the low PSI and CFM will take a very long time to build pressure in a larger tank- you might be able to build up air for 10 minutes of spray time, maybe 15. But then its going to probably take 20 or 30 to refill it.

As the pressure in the tank builds the little tc20 will push much less air into it- one of the downsides of diaphram compressors

The PVC option i mentioned might cost less than the portable metal tanks do these days(they've doubled in price since I got mine many years ago). and actually be able to store more air for you depeding on your space requirements- as I've found a short fat air tank is almost always in hte way. But a tall skinny one(even doubled up for more air) is alot easier to stick in a closet or tuck behind a door, under a bed etc.


   
 
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