On Board Air compressors

[Dkevdog]

Everyone knows how great the Hadley horns sound, but I was wondering how many of you have used the on board compressor for other uses (filling inflatables, tires, etc. ) Are the tanks and compressors powerful enough to do this? how long does it take for various tasks?



Kev

 

[azcummins]

I used it to fill up a tire on my boat trailer once and it went ok. Not as fast a gas station pump, but cheaper and I didn't have to go to the station.



Think Chevy will start offering these as an aftermarket performance accessory? "Now get 9 psi of boost with this onboard air compressor!"

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by azcummins

Think Chevy will start offering these as an aftermarket performance accessory? "Now get 9 psi of boost with this onboard air compressor!"

:-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf



ROTFLMAO!

Kev

 

[RJOL]

Have a custom made stainless tank mounted to the passenger frame rail, just behind the cab. Use a 12V air pump to fill it to 100psi. Has a regular air hose connector on it and I have used it to fill tires, along with air for my horn. Once you use up the air in the tank, it takes about 4-5 minutes to fill again, but its better then a hand pump or going to town. .

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Alternate On Board Air compressors

Originally posted by Dkevdog

How many of you have used the on board compressor for other uses and are the tanks and compressors powerful enough to do this? Kev

Kev, IMO the air compressor supplied with most aftermarket air horn kits has a very low duty-cycle, which limits the potential to be press-ganged into other uses. I use my other on-board compressor for my air-bags, which has a much higher duty cycle and is far better suited for these occasional one-off air needs; Ultimately, a dedicated on-board air compressor is the only real way to go, funds permitting of course!

 

[bschmidt]

Through my personnal experiences the Hadley compressor is JUNK. I have had four crap out on me in three different trucks, and all were used solely for Hadley Horns... Go with the Outback Extreme Aire!!! Great PUMP! and buy your horns seperate!



-Brandon

 

[RJOL]

Here is a good source for 12V air compressors (Thomas) on Ebay:



http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISA...danelboone2&include=0&since=-1&sort=2&rows=25



He also sells Hadley compressors, but I think the Thomas is a better one... Have Fun!!!

 

[Briar Hopper]

The compressor that came with my Grover air horns only lasted about 6 months. Enough to fill the tank perhaps 8 times.

I now use a Wal Mart air tank, 7 gallons, in the bed of the truck. $17, and it was worth it. The horns hardly run the air down at all.

The magazines, Sport Truck and SuperStreet are filled with ads for a variety of air compressors used for air jacks... .

 

[LarryB]

Check this thread for more "hot air" on air.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31461&highlight=blowjax

 

[fox]

For tires etc, I carry a 20# bottle of CO2. It has already filled and topped off several tires!

I can also turn it up-side-down and use it to put out fires!!

It's an off roader trick.

fox

 

[CoreyPerez]

Fox,



Do you have any more information about this setup, mostly about the regulator and what not. I'm interested in finding out how you have this setup. Currently I've got a Scuba tank, I think that the 3000psi that it holds is more than enough, but my regulator is pretty damn expensive and I don't really want to subject it to that kind of use.



Corey

 

[jeepcjsrule]

Check out this web site:



http://www.powertank.com/



I have a pt-15 for my jeep and love it , you can air up tires,run air tools, and i even used it to reset a tire on the wheel after it came off.

 

[Dkevdog]

Thanks for all the info and links, I went looked at a Thomas TA 1401 today at grainger. The thing is simply a BEAST!! The damn thing must weigh in at 25 pounds and is built like a tank. They had to give me CPR when they told me how much- $569 plus tax. My wife said she will blow up the tires for that much!! But seriously I checked out the Blowjax and think that one of their 1/3 HP continuous duty units is the answer. Less than half the price. The only thing that makes me mad is the shipping costs!! $40 to ship a compressor and relay kit?? It's only about 20 lbs give me a break!!!



Kev

 

[LarryB]

Dkevdog

If you do an internet search for "Blowjax" you may find a distributor with a better shipping policy. Just a thought.

Larry

 

[Dkevdog]

Larry- I tried that, it seems that there are no real retailers other that a company called AIM Industries. Any search will basically take you in a circle back to their site. Worst part is- they are in Arizona. I checked with my shipping dept on 30lbs from AZ to here- only $10!!!!!!!!!!! It just irrates me:{ when companies screw you with high shipping costs!!



Kev

 

[Ben Rumson]

Use and old Air Conditioning Unit

A friend of mine used to do a lot of off reading. In his Suzuki samuri, he used an old air conditioning compressor as an onboard air supply to run tools in the field, fill ties, etc. He even made a hollow square bumper and would fill it with air so that he had an amount of "ready" air on hand.



He ran a line from the compressor to the enclosed hollow bumper and used it like a small holding tank. He welded a standard air coupler fitting in it and would run tools etc. from the fitting. ON tricky 4x4 trails in southern Utah he could regualte the PSI in his tires to almost nothing without the worry of refilling them. Everyone else on the tril loved his little gizmo as well - became a good friend to trek with - sort of like traviling with your favorite mechanic.



He made his own bracket to hold the compressor unit and ran it via a belt supplied from one of his pulley wheels. I don't think he had air conditioning stock so he may have been using an existing empty groove on one of the pulley wheels.



He cut off the cold air return line (no longer a sealed system) with enough room to shove an air filter on it - this became the fresh air inlet. Darndest thing I ever saw. The compressor did the rest and worked wonders. Any time he needed air he would flip a switch to engage the compressor and the compressor supplied all the air he needed - both psi and volume.



Off roading magazines and internet site would have more on this.



mail me if you're interest in his name or have specific ? of how he did this. I don't think he'd appreciate my posting his name all over the air waves... .



- Bruce

 

[fj40charles]

I would go with a York AC compressor. My fiancee just ordered a sepentine clutch for the York from Kilby Enterprises. I'm going to fabricate a mount for my offroad rig (Toyota) and use it. Very durable compressor and lubricated by oil in sump which = long life.

York compressors are easy to find in junk yards and typically sell for around 25-50 dollars. Just be sure to get the 10. 3 CFM model.

Check the link below for details on how to find the 10. 3 CFG model.



I believe they are in the process of coming up with a mount for the CTD. Might want to give them a call.



www.onboardair.com



PS: not associated with Kilby Enterprises



Charles

 

[EricBu12]

did this to mine.



Got the quick air 2 and tank mounted on the frame. have 105 psi with a preassure switch that turns on at 80 and off at 105. hold psi at 100 for 3 days straight!!



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34914

 

[fox]

I just use an air tank-aluminum- from one of the soda companies and an apropriate regulator.

Make sure you mount it to the bed !!!

Most of the time the regulator is off of the tank for safety.

fox

 

[The patriot]

When I was an owner operator, the old detroit diesel engines all had Belt drive external air compressors. They werent too big, I dont see why it would be too much to adapt it to our engines.

With an air tank, and a governor, I believe they cut in at 100 psi, and cut out at about 120 psi. This was adjustable somewhat.

You would always have a 120 psi supply of air, and with the duty cycle of one of these, you'll probibally sell the truck before it goes bad.

My . 02

Eric