Factory air system used as on board air?

[Elsbury]

Ok...one thing I hate about my new truck is I don't have anything to keep me busy lol. I was climbing around under neath just checking stuff out and my air tank, which appears to be approx 2 gals, has a nipple like it was designed for onboard air. Just curious if anyone has used the system in this way and can the factory compressor handle the extra load? Looks like I could add another tank plumbed into the main one and have on board air? Sorry if this is a dumb or repeated question but it didn't come up in my search.

 

[gsbrockman]

Not even close for the duty cycle many have intentions of using it for......

 

[Elsbury]

I was thinking to fill tires mostly but no telling what they would do to my warranty if it failed.

 

[TFucili]

I have read that it doesn't take much beyond it's normal volume that would be used to adjust the bags for it to throw a code.

 

[AH64ID]

It doesn’t have the duty cycle and will set a code if it runs too long.

I installed a ViAir 400C under my bed for filling tires and such.

 

[sag2]

Don't even try, it is not made for it and will overheat and fail.

 

[Wiredawg]

There are some nice complete Viair kits on Amazon many of us have installed on our trucks...really nice airing up tires, air tools, and other inflatables.

 

[Elsbury]

Thanks wiredog. I'll check em out. This truck has so much under there not sure where I would put it. I have a portable compressor thats bailed me out a few times. Had the pacbrake and compressor on my 06 and while small it did a good job. Would like to get the bigger aftermarket fuel tank before I do anything else to see where it fits.

 

[DavidC]

Pass. side just behind the cab is usually a hole. Others have used different places.

 

[SnoKing]

Should be room outside the frame rails somewhere. It is not like it is going to explode if you are T-boned!

 

[Hoefler]

It is a recirculating Nitrogen system

 

[AH64ID]

It is a recirculating Nitrogen system

I can’t for say for sure on the 1500/2500, but the 3500 most certainly is an open system. It is filled with Nitrogen when serviced, but that’s it.

It very clearly purges it’s air when it lowers and intakes new air each time the pump runs.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Who knows, I was told it's a closed Nitrogen system and it can't be used for an air supply.

 

[lpennock]

1500 uses a Nitrogen system, 3500 is open system. Not sure on a 2500.

 

[EZeis]

It is a recirculating Nitrogen system

Definitely not on my 2018 3500. It expels air all the time. After start up it blows out moisture. When the bags deflate it expels air.


Earl

 

[Hoefler]

My 19 is definitly Nitrogen

 

[EZeis]

My 19 is definitly Nitrogen

That sucks. You'll eventually need topped off as it leaks out the bag rubber.


Earl

 

[Cummins12V98]

That sucks. You'll eventually need topped off as it leaks out the bag rubber.


Earl

5 years and 6k pin weight with ZERO issues!!!

 

[EZeis]

5 years and 6k pin weight with ZERO issues!!!

So my 18 3500 has a compressor system and a 19 3500 has nitrogen. Your truck is older with nitrogen. So they had years with sealed nitrogen then compressor then back to sealed nitrogen? What group of years had what?

Zero issues with my compressor system. Your nitrogen will leak down eventually. Rubber still leaks nitrogen through, not as bad as atmosphere air, but the molecules still get through over time.


Earl

 

[dieselshadow]

Although this has been discussed many times here on the TDR, nobody really truly understands how the 3500 air suspension truly works. We’ve seen snippets from manuals and we’ve had some input from technicians, but nobody has told us exactly how this system is supposed to work. Mine doesn’t seem to work as other 18s have been described as working. I’ve never heard my compressor run. I’ve also never had a problem. I would like to see a shop manual that shows how it works. It’s just a bit of mystery still.