When choosing an air compressor one of the first things that you will consider is the size of the tank of every compressor. The functioning of an air compressor is due to the air that is stored within the storage tank. Thus, the amount of compressed air that can be stored within a tank is dependent on the size of the tank. Prior to choosing a particular size, however, you must first understand the implications of the dimensions. Then, you can choose a tank size that is most suited to the purpose for which you will use it for. Here are some things you should know:
Size Ranges
Though it is referred to as ‘size’, what this actually referring to is the volume of the tank. Depending on where you live, this can be measured in liters, cubic meters, or gallons. There is a great discrepancy in the sizes between each type of air compressor. For air compressors that are supposed to have greater mobility or are portable, this can range from 1 to 6 gallons. If you are still looking for something a little lighter but require it for more heavy-duty jobs, there are also 20 – 30 gallon tanks available. If you are looking for ones that are stationary and cannot be handled easily, then there are tanks that are as large as 60 to 80 gallons.
What it Means
As you can imagine, the bigger the air compressor tank, the more compressed air that can be stored. What does this mean for the functioning of the air compressor, however? How long an air compressor can run for without turning on, is dependent on the size of the tank. The larger the tank, the less frequently the air compressor has to turn on. This means that the air compressor has more time to cool down between each time that it is used.
Choosing Your Size
This leads to the main point of the article – what is a good tank size? There is no overall answer to this question. The tank size that each person needs should be based on what the air compressor will be used for. Mainly, you should think about the type of tools that you will be using and the requirements that those have. For instance, if you are using a tool that requires high and consistent volume for a long period of time then you will be better off with a larger tank. If you are have tools that only require short bursts of volume, you will require a much smaller tank. A tank that is between 2 and 6 gallons will probably suit your purpose.
Think about these points when considering the tank size that you will need. This will make your choice a lot easier.
