Auxiliary Air Tanks

To add an auxiliary air tank, simply connect a high-pressure air hose from the discharge outlet of your main compressor—such as an Ingersoll Rand or California Air Tools unit—directly into the inlet port of the auxiliary tank to instantly expand your total air capacity.

The absolute primary reason air tanks must be drained is to prevent internal rust and corrosion caused by condensation. When an air compressor runs, it compresses the natural humidity in the room, turning it into liquid water that pools at the bottom of the tank. If this moisture is left sitting, it rusts the steel tank from the inside out. This silently weakens the walls of the tank and creates a severe risk of a catastrophic rupture under high pressure.

When operating an auxiliary air tank, you should observe these core safety rules: Never exceed the maximum pressure rating: Always keep the PSI strictly within the manufacturer's specified limits. Inspect for physical damage: Check the tank regularly for external rust, dents, or deep scratches that could compromise its structural integrity. Check the pressure relief valve: Ensure the safety valve is functioning properly; it is designed to open automatically if the tank accidentally over-pressurizes. Do not modify the tank: Never weld, drill, or structurally alter the steel body of the tank. Drain it daily: Depressurize the system and drain any accumulated moisture after every use to prevent internal corrosion.

An auxiliary tank stores extra capacity and connects to your primary system—such as feeding additional fuel into a vehicle's main tank via gravity-feed kits or electronic transfer pumps, or supplying extra compressed air storage volume to an air compressor to reduce motor cycling frequency and maintain steady line pressure during high-demand tasks.

Yes, but only if the auxiliary tank is specifically certified and DOT-approved for gasoline (such as specialized automotive auxiliary fuel tanks or portable transfer tanks with proper venting and grounding); standard utility tanks rated solely for diesel will degrade or create extreme explosive safety hazards when filled with gasoline.

In industrial compressed air systems, the three primary types of storage tanks are wet receivers placed before the air dryer, dry receivers placed after the dryer, and auxiliary tanks placed near the point of use to handle sudden localized demands.