On board air compressor

[dpuckett]

I read SamsRams questoin in another thread, and didnt want to hijack that thread, so I am putting my thoughts and miscellaneous wanderings here.



The gear and shaft design of the vacuum pump would, in my mind, make it impractical to mount the compressor in front of the vacuum pump. BUT... . Could one mount the compressor between the P/S pump and vacuum pump? Seems that would be a logical place for it, though it may require some additional support in the rear of the assembly to take stress off the gear case, et al.



I have the extra pulley in front of my fan pulley (NO, you cant have it), and have seen air compressors driven off there as well. BUt I dont remember where the compressor was mounted. It was a good size, though not as big as what is in the big rigs. Bout the size of the alternator.



Daniel

 

[MMiller]

I too have thought about that, mounting a air compressor behind the vac pump. There isn't enough room between the motor mount and the accesories to add something else there.



I have seen a kit for a 24V that runs a air compressor off the alternator via a modified pulley.



On my 90, it is a/c delete truck. I am going to put a modified a/c compressor there and have on board air. For my 93 I want to retain the a/c so an electric driven air compressor would probably end up there. I think offroad design has a nice compressor setup that is 12 volt or 24 volt driven.



Michael

 

["Mad Max"]

I'm going to do some research on the fleet and commercial rigs using our engines and try to find some scrap pumps in the bone yards. In the other thread a member posted that they are being made currently but for another (similar) application. I think it involves mounting the compressor towards the back of the engine, maybe similarly to the starter and it's flexplate driven?? Not sure, but intriguing idea - and I just gots to know. Worst case it'll prove to be too much customization and fabrication to be practical, but there's always the straight-up electrical version..... I just think it'd be soooo cool to have the air give off that PSSTT!! when driving around... make lesser vehicles wonder what they're really driving next to..... I think I'm going to put KW badges on the rig too... (heh haaaaa!). ... . ok, ok, time for my medication... .

- S

 

[DF5152]

how much did u want to spend???

 

[tgbol]

The standard Cummins set up for air compressors mounts the compressor where the vacuum/power steering pumps mount. The power steering pump then mounts on the back of the compressor. The problem with our trucks is the location of the motor mount is in the way. Also buying the parts for the Cummins set up was going to be over $2500. I went the Kilby On-Board Air set up. It works great. It could be the best thing I have done to the truck.

I have a 24v, but a bracket can be made for the 12v that will mount the compressor in a similar fashion. The York compressor will stay up with most of my needs.

 

[dpuckett]

How much do I want to spend?

Ok, you dont get in here too often, do you? Just kidding. I want to, as always, spend as little as I have to without cobbling the job. It'll probably be a while before I get around to it (have to get a new head and MACH2 EDMs first), but I just wanted to get people thinking about it. Airhorns and being able to air up flats in the field/ side of the road would be nice.



-DP

 

["Mad Max"]

... well, I don't want to spend a huge ton o money on it, but I do only want to spend the money once. But, A friend brought up a pretty good point, and that is that the compressor will only work (of course) when the engine is on. Now, for the most part I will be using the air when the engine is off..... so..... I think I'm going to stick with my original idea of a good heavy-duty electric version, and with the air suspension I'm going to have they have compressors that plug right in. I'm also going to have an additional battery that the compressor traws from so the one for the truck won't get drained until the compresor aux one is toast.

Still, a factory mechanical one would be sweet, but it would as well be another horsepower-robbing item... that I think I just don't need. Plus, at anywhere near $2500, well, that'll purchase a lot of bombing!!

Thanks for the insight and discussion fellas - much appreciated.

- Sam

 

[Flexiheep]

I talked with Brad (I think that is his name) Kilby at the Festival in the Foothills a couple weeks ago about 12 valve york brackets. He said they wanted to work on it, but they had so much on the plate right now he didn't know when or if they would get to it.

The problem is how our thermostat housing/alt mount is cast, so there are not a lot of good areas to bolt to, but it can be done, I am pretty darn sure a York will fit on its side like the newer trucks, just gotta work out the bracket. Then it will be a nice 8+ cfm supply or air for use.

I might get around to building a bracket, we will see how my friends york/gm starter motor setup works out, I think the cooling issue for the starter motor is solved for medium duration use. We will see in a while. If it works I'll let you guys know, it should be a reasonable way to get good cfm at a budget price, and mountable under the bed out of the way.

 

[therabbittree]

any updates on this?. . looking on making a york 210 fit my 12v. I have a 5" exhaust brake I want to use and I am looking at using a serpentine belt thati s longer then stock to run the york. . I wouyld like to install the stock A/c unit in the future to have ac . . so I am trying to find alocation that doesn't interfer too much with a stock a/c mount.

Any one have 12valve on board air here?

Thanks

Deo

 

[Steve Graham]

Years ago Therold Industries sold air compressors kits for the Dodge Diesel, I have one on my Dodge and will take pictures If any one is intrested in making one for yourself. Its a engine dirven compressor off of the fan pully that has a added V groove. Kilby bought out TI when the owner retired, and did sell kits for the older Dodges for a few years. Guess there isn't enough call for them now, don't see the old Dodge kits listed.