AC Comperessor for onboard air

[NKenny]

Is there an advantage to an R12 air compressor compared to an R134a compressor for converting to onboard air?



My '93 has what I believe to be an r-134a AC compressor and I have options to trade for an earlier R12 unit. Which would be the preferred compressor.



Also, what is the make of these compressors and are they internally oiled? These might be simple questions, but I am not around my truck right now to check and curiosity is getting the best of me.



Thanks.

 

[dpuckett]

Per the 93 FSM- the original refirgerant is R12- yours may have been retrofitted. I dont know about converting it to compress air, but if AC is not an issue for you, go for it. We definitely are not against trying new things here. I have seen onboard, belt drien air compressors on 1st gens; heaven knows there is enough room under the hood for it.



Daniel

 

[HGreen]

I had a 76 Jeep Cherokee, converted the A/C compressor to an air compressor, but it was one of the piston ones. Put a switch on the dash to engage the clutch and added a tank under the body. I have not heard of a rotary being converted. Keep us posted on the project.

 

[cerberusiam]

I am dredging this up from memory but I believe they are a Sankyo compressor and the lube is mixed in the refrigerant.



These types won't work for an air compressor, if thats what you are asking.

 

[Flexiheep]

I did this on my little Jeep Cherokee (rotary compressor too), worked great once I got in the habit of every couple times I used it I squirted a little oil in the intake of the compressor. My setup was pretty simple, I used the stock outlet hose and forced that over a 3/8ths pipe nipple to connect to a simple manifold with a pressure switch. I then plumbed the intake air to come out of the stock airbox of the Cherokee to simplify things after I lost an air compressor filter going down the road.

I used this system for 4 years weekly inflating 35" tires and never had a problem with it. Maybe I was lucky but it worked well for me.

 

[ARhine]

They are Sanden compressors, and yes they are not internally oiled.



You could do what flexiheep does or put an inline oiler on the compressor intake.



I would rather goto the salvage yard and find a york compressor and mount it up.



Andy