Gear driven air compressor

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

While paging through my factory Cummins B series service manual one day I realized that there is a gear driven air compressor that can mount right on the gear case. I can already imagine the possibilities...



According to the sketches in the manual, it looks like it would mount right where our vacuum pump/hydraulic pump assembly is currently located. I know there are different gear cases (ie. P7100 case is different from our VE case), but from the looks of the sketches, it almost seems like it would have the same mounting as the vacuum pump.



On to the next issue with my pipe dream. It looks like the air compressor would have mounting on the opposite end to hook in another pump or what-have-you, but an assembly of compressor/vacuum/hydraulic would take you out to beyond the room you have, not to mention I don't think the gear case can support all that. So my thought is this (if any of this is even remotely possible), ditch the vacuum entirely, hook up air compressor and hydraulic, and see if I can find a way to hook up a brake booster that runs off the hydraulic, much like the old ford f-superduties, and find another way to control my hear/ac ducts in the truck.



I suppose I could always convert the entire brake system to air brakes to solve this problem, right? And my next upgrade will be jet boosters and a laser cannon.



All kidding aside, does anyone have any info on this compressor deal? I have a small (very small) electric one that runs my rear air bag suspension, but I have a feeling a gear driven compressor would open up worlds of fun that I never thought possible (think, air tools when ever, where ever).



Also I'm guessing there's a clutch that disengages the drive for the air compressor when your tank is full, so would you then loose power steering, or is there a shaft that passes through to drive the hydraulic? Or am I just completely nuts?

 

[dpuckett]

I've seen a lot of belt driven compressors moutned up close to the injector pump somehow. Never paid REAL close attention.



Guess you could run the gear driven air, then have a belt driven vacuum pump, like maybe off an IDI Ford.



DP

 

[PToombs]

Seen lotsa gear drive compressors. Case payloaders. The compressors are smallish, but they work ok. You need an air governor, when it builds up to 120 psi, it bleeds excess air off. You could put an air booster on the master cylinder. That's how the loaders work. Some trucks have compressors mounted there too. They have all air brakes though. If you need more info, let me know.

You could mount an electric vacuum pump, pricey though!

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

You think the gear driven compressor would be much of a step up from my electric one? It's a Ride Rite air bag system... I didn't put it, the guy I bought the truck from did, so I don't know much about it except that it takes forever to fill my tank, which is a little smaller than a coffee can.

 

[PToombs]

It definetely would be! Would it be cost effective? Probably not! You'll have to get a compressor, brake booster, governor, lines, vacuum pump, etc. If you need air for tires, air wrenchs, etc, it might be worth while. If not, you might better upgrade to a larger electric compressor. They are on e-bay reasonable. Or you can look here;

Surplus Center

Look around on there, there is alot of air and other stuff. There is also a 12 volt large compressor that's contained in it's own box. Close to $900 though!

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

you have to understand I have this strange sub-conscious fascination with making my truck the epitome of "self-sufficiant" as odd as it is, the extremes I go to in pursuit of this.

 

[NIsaacs]

The air compressor is a direct bolt on, with auxiliary mounting on the back of it. However, with the Dodge application, it will interfere with the motor mount.





"NICK"

 

[PToombs]

Alternate thought! Mount the hydraulic pump there, swap to hydra-boost brakes, hydraulic motor to drive the compressor. Then you can also put on a hydro drive winch. And the power steering. I forgot all about that with the compressor setup!

 

[tugboatphil]

Tippin,

I am VEEEERY interested in this laser cannon. Do you have detailed blueprints? If still in prototype, I'd be willing to invest. This is just between us, ok?..... you're not with the ATF are you? :-laf

 

[MStrain]

Have you guys heard of the Kilby airbosss, they only make them for jeep wranglers and for dodge cummins from 2000-2006, here is the link, kind of pricey, $1500 I think, but it looks cool. It bolts right onto your engine and runs off your drive belt.



::Kilby Enterprises::

 

[dodgenstein]

You can ditch the vacuum pump, mount the compressor, and adapt a 2nd gen hydraboost to run your brakes. Don't have any bright ideas on the vacuum for the HVAC, though.

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

I'm curious if the HVAC could be reworked to run off compressed air. I mean, its the same principle, I'm assuming, the air just flows the opposite direction, in theory. I really have no idea how the vent system works, i can speculate, but when I talk about things I don't know is where I get into the most trouble...



By the way, Phil, that laser cannon would be absolutely wonderful for the ride home from work in rush hour traffic, eh? Someone explain to me where the mentallity comes from that when there's a big truck, thats the guy you need to cut off to merge with traffic.

 

[PToombs]

Tippin, do you have A/C? If not, no need for vacuum! Non A/C equipped trucks have cables for the controls.

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

I've got A/C. And now that you bring that up that indirectly reminded me of something else: I wonder what kind've load that air compressor puts on the motor, and can you shut it off entirely, like per say, so it doesn't fire up on the drag strip if you have a slight leak in your tank.

 

[PToombs]

Nope, doesn't work that way. It's gear driven. It turns when the engine turns. The unloader vents excess so it runs with not much load. If you want to shut it off, figure out how to mount a belt drive with an A/C type clutch.

 

[csnider]

You can use a old ford belt driven A/C compressor as a air compressor with a 125lb pressure switch to turn off the clutch. . My truck has this setup but I bought it that way. I have a air tank, air regulators for both front and back airbags and three different locations to run air hose too(runs air tools,jacks,air horn,etc)... It's really neat. you have to use a oil catch type device to keep the lines oil free and return oil to the compressor . the oil trap is setup before the check vavle so you can use the air pressure in the trap to force the oil back to the comp housing using a releif valve plummed to the bottom of the trap. the compressor is mounted above the alt and runs off a small belt from the alts doulble pulley. the alt is on a custom mount and the serpentine belt is a different size than stock. My bro-in-law is going with a electric compressor/ air tank setup for simplicity. but I'm just adding this as another alternative..... The guy who owned the truck before me built this setup... ...

 

[PToombs]

CS, you can plug the hole where the oil gets into the air. Check this out, lotsa good tips;

York Compressor for On-Board Air

 

[csnider]

CS, you can plug the hole where the oil gets into the air. Check this out, lotsa good tips;

York Compressor for On-Board Air

Hey that's a great site there... Thanks for pointing it out... .

 

[PToombs]

No prob! Someday I hope to figger out how to mount a York on my truck. I have it, just not enough time!

 

[csnider]

I'll try to post a picture of the compressor mount I have tomorrow. . it JUST fits under the hood insulation . kinda tight but functional... ... .