Holy Compressors: Many good ideals, but you have to ask yourself why do I need so much captured air volume. “Danger Will Robinson” Multiple air tools, car lifts, paint booths, sand blasting, are all of these items working together in synchronized harmony? If yes, you may need an industrial compressor pretty much like a car dealership, or farm implement dealer has. They can deliver the much need air pressure and air volume and can run continuously, and they are placed, usually out of sight for a good reason. Some air compressors depending on size and quality have a duty cycle much like welders and battery chargers. If your duty cycle is 50% it is good for lets say 30 minutes continuously and cool down time 30 minutes. The compressor I am using will run continuously for one hour, cycling off and on depending on my air load such as using air powered body sanders and sand blasting cabinet. After one hour of sand blasting I turn the compressor off for an hour, to cool its self down. I do use a spare air tank in conjunction with my compressor to help keep up the volume of air, especially sand blasting. The tank is not plumed in with the rest of the pipe that runs the entire shop walls. I use an air hose and connector and use it as if I was connecting the hose to an air impact. This tank about is about forty gallons, handy throw it in the back of the truck, it will blow up a combine tire, it will run a small grinder and you have air for a blow gun if need be. Having multiply tanks is an OK idea, I cannot see running the compressor more then it needs to be filling all the tanks, just maybe you need just to use the blow gun? If I went this route, plumed in extra air tanks I would invest in a ball valve to shut off the extra tanks if not needed. To run air lines, I would never use plastic lines and “shark bite” fittings will not take the abuse, copper is nice if you can afford it and can solder well, black iron is good but rust easy inside and out, costs a little more but galvanize looks better to me, and inhabits rusts better. I copied a few web sites enjoy.
www.about-air-compressors.com/dutycycle.html
www.aircompressorworks.com/blog/index.php?mode=post&id=37
