- 60 Gallon Capacity
- Includes Base Ring & Top Plate
- ASME Rated Tank
- Please call 800-658-3579 for higher PSI or Tank over 240 Gallons
- MAWP:200PSI
I pulled one star only due to the premium price of the unit and the shipping costs that were more than I really wanted to spend. I have a now two year old Emax 7.5 HP 80 Gallon 1PH Horizontal 2 Stage Stationary Air Compressor in a large garage behind my home, but I had been previously using a nice small portable unit I had purchased many years back from Grainger Inc. This old portable was going to be incorporated into the garage on my home due to the small footprint and excellent running characteristics after some remodeling.
As I was remodeling the garage at my home, I installed a 240 volt outlet for the 20 gallon compressor and plugged it in. It began running as nicely as ever, but something was wrong. I noticed a few drops of moisture had leaked onto the floor from the bottom of the tank and found air was leaking from a pinhole in the bottom of the horizontal tank. This unit was old, but it still looked nice new even. Lol, I remembered that the tank was not ASME rated, and was only good for a maximum of 150 PSI. I recalled being disappointed long ago when I noticed that tank wasn't one of the better ASME ones, but thought keeping it well drained and maintained would keep it going just fine evidently good care wasn't enough for the thinner metal of this OEM Speedair tank. Some years back the original single stage compressor had blown, and I had replaced it with a newer (and much better) three cylinder 2-stage model with correct dual A-belt pulleys. I never used it much after replacing the compressor, so it sat idle a lot and hadn't been used at all since I purchased the new Emax. Unknowingly and silently, the tank of the old Grainger model was rusting away from inside.
I had set the controls with the installation of the 2-stage compressor to cycle at 110/130 PSI on/off. Old enough to know what can happen trying to use a weakened pressure tank, I knew better than to attempt a repair. That bad tank was a real let down as I was ready to put that unit back in service and had already serviced it with fresh synthetic compressor oil, new air filters, new Goodyear hose and fittings, and had even polished it all up. Add that to my remembering having paid Grainger over $600 for the original portable compressor, $300 for the 2-stage replacement parts, and I figured I had well over $900 sunk from sight. Knowing what new two stage compressor units cost, and knowing the rest of my components were still in perfect shape, I started looking for a tank.
I thought I would find something around $200-$300. Uh yeah, I found those prices if I didn't mind dealing with someone operating a website from a house, or working a vacant warehouse street corner. It took a while, and more studying, but I finally decided to cough up the cash for this Manchester 60 gallon 200 PSI tank. I certainly didn't want anything that could be a problem of any kind.
This 60 gallon Manchester model (302412) has a 30-inch by 13 1/2 compressor top mounting plate which is more than the 24-inch by 10-inch top plate I needed for mounting my compressor, and the electric motor a nice thick one too. This size can also easily support larger compressors in the 5-7 horsepower range. I didn't want to weld the old top plate on after having to cut it off the old tank, although I could have bought a lower priced Manchester model without the top plate. I wanted this new tank to look as good as my old compressor and its electric motor with the controls and I wasn't about to "rig" up something that didn't look factory. The increased size will also produce more air flow for intermittent use than the old 20 gallon tank ever could also keeping heat down with less frequent motor starts. The overall improved cooling should also cut down cut down on moisture in the air lines with the compressed air supply staying cooler. Overall height is 52 1/16-inches, and my compressor setup will add another 13-inches. So, my assembled unit works out at only just over 5-feet.
It's not portable by any means, with a tank weight of 192 pounds, but this Manchester has sturdy legs and a bottom fitting that will accept an electronic purge valve to keep the water drained out without me physically doing it. Periodic motor, belt, and compressor service will be easier with the vertical tank height. Even the floor footprint is small at only 20-inches which is less than the old portable. It also has nice inspection ports and a good number of fittings in all the right places. But what sold me was the weight and the gauge of the tank. The rating is also 200 PSI @ 650 degrees Fahrenheit, where most other ASME tanks are rated at only 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Quality always comes with a price, but it offers a much longer service life and greater safety. I figure this tank will far outlast me, considering the old OEM unrated Speedair tank lasted well over some 30 years. That works for me! I just hope some family member appreciates it after I've shuffled on.
... In the meantime, the old internally rusted 20-gallon tank won't go to waste. I plan to make it into a nice barbecue grill/smoker. That should help settle my stomach after watching my cash taking a hike because of it. I'm already salivating.
I'll be adding more here later, as I am currently waiting for delivery from Amazon retailer PneumaticPlus. I just thought I would share some of the specs, my knowledge, and my story, for the interim.
Update 8/23/2012:
Wow, I really have to hand it to Amazon order processing and shipping from PneumaticPro with Roadway. I ordered on the 18th and I picked up my tank today (the 23rd) only five days later by truck freight, and 425 miles away from the Bedford, Indiana facility. Amazon had predicted delivery from the 27th to the 30th. Yes, home delivery is included in the shipping, but I would have had to wait until the following day and it was more convenient for me to just pick it up earlier at the terminal. The order processing went very quickly.
The tank arrived with metal band straps holding it securely to a very strong pallet. Everything was in excellent condition at my inspection. The inside of the tank was sealed with plastic caps at all openings, and the tank was spotless inside so I could easily apply an interior coating if wanted. With some very light sanding and some touching up of the gray exterior primer coat, I'll be able to quickly apply a perfect topcoat of my choosing to have a great looking tank under my compressor setup. The very sturdy top plate even has multiple long slots in it to accomodate most any electric motor combination and larger horsepower frames. All that there is left to do is drill the plate mount for the compressor. Actual assembly of the entire unit will be very quick and easy due to the well thought out placement of ports, port sizes, and the factory installed top plate. The only downside is the tank comes without any of the fittings meaning you will have to provide your own fittings with ratings of 200 PSI and greater. This ran me about an additional $100 to purchase those fittings new, as those I had from the smaller tank being replaced weren't large enough.
Fitting ports on the tank:
(1) 1/2" NPT bottom (tank drain)
(3) 3/4" NPT both sides and top
(1) 1/4" NPT front top (where I used the 2-1/2" Oil Filled Pressure Gauge SS/Br, 1/4" Center Back, 0-200psi)
(2) 2" NPT front and side inspection ports (I used this fitting Anvil Malleable Iron Pipe Fitting, Class 150, Square Head Plug, NPT Male, Galvanized Finish)
Note: The threads come lightly coated with a pipe joint compound. You should clean this off and use thread tape. Using thread tape will facilitate easier removal of a fitting if needed in the future. Using high pressure rated brass and schedule 80 brass for nipples will also help where their use is possible.
