SCFM question

[joeu235]

If I have a compressor that delivers 12 SCFM but occasionally I need 15. Can I connect up my portable compressor that is rated at 5 SCFM and together will they deliver the 15 SCFM I need?

 

[Gary Fowler]

Yes, if you have the valving and size hose that is needed. I have the same hook up with my Craftsman 30?gallon tank and about 12 CFM and my PUMA portable at about 10 CFMboth pumping into the 30 gallon tank for draw down. It allows the recycle to be faster.

 

[bigdeano]

If they will both put out the required pressure that will work. It's sometimes a problem to get them both running because one will start first and raise the pressure and the second one won't start. I'm sure you can work around that though.

 

[Stimw]

I used to do maintenance on compressors at a past job. They had 2- 5hp and 1- 10hp .
I set the pressures so that 1- 5hp came on first, then #2- 5hp then the 10hp as air was needed.
It was tricky getting them set but it worked out great when done.
All three gave a lot more storage too.

 

[muddstopper]

Could you not wire both compressors to the same pressure switch so that both came on at the same time.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

On mine I sometimes use 3 together. The large 2 stage one gets set to a higher output pressure so it is the one being used most of the time.

The 2 small ones don't really need to come on unless the larger one isn't able to keep up.

 

[sd455dan]

Could you not wire both compressors to the same pressure switch so that both came on at the same time.

You could- but it makes for a bigger instantaneous load on the the ac supply during start up, also the pressure switch might have to be upsized to conduct the extra power over either of the stock pressure switches.

I also run 2 compressors- (5 hp 60 gallon) and I set one pressure switch to run a bit higher for both cut in and out

that way when running low air demand items only one compressor ever runs , if it is a high load like sand blasting they both run nonstop.

 

[Jeepnford]

Could you not wire both compressors to the same pressure switch so that both came on at the same time.

You probably could if you wired up a relay so when the main compressor kicked on it energized the coil. Might not be worth the money or the trouble.