OnBoard Air finally complete

[Straight6Jeff]

Well, after a couple of months of "in progress", the onboard air system is finally complete, well, almost. All that is left is the guage mount in the cab.



The basic kit is from OnBoardair.com. it is a york compressor, double v-grove clutch, pulley, belts, hardware and comp[ressor mount. I used two 2. 5 gal tanks mounted on the passenger side for the main reserve, a 1/2 gal pancake tank for the air horns, an 8 place distribution block, two check valves, coalesing filter, Square-D pressure switch with unloader. there are three air-drops. one nest to the factory air box, one on the right side of the crossover tool box, and one out the rear above the license plate. All of the tubing is 316 ss and the fittling are SwageLoc.



To fill all of the tanks to 130 psig at an idle required 48 seconds. I'll get to put the sustem to a test when I go out to my Dads for Thanksgiving. I'll be using an air chisel quite a bit so I'll be able to give an update as to how the sytem keeps up.



I'll post pictures in the next week or so.

 

[Thomas]

What does pushing the alternator down and installing the adapter plate do for access to existing components like the oil filter?

 

[Straight6Jeff]

There is no difference to oil filter access. Changing the serpentine belt is a little tougher. The alt is relocated down about a half inch, so it is not that much.

 

[Amianthus]

Lets not kid ourselves here. Changing the belt isn't that hard. Instead of taking you 5 minutes to change it, it might take you 15 minutes. Big deal.



BTW, I run my system with no tank. It does just fine on it's own. Chisel, impact, air horns, pac-brake, tire chuck, whatever.



The ONLY downside to this setup is that the compressor is designed to pump oil through out the system. So it is imperative that you have a filter and that you can somehow return the oil to the crankcase. Other than that, It's a super system.

 

[Ted Constantine]

What Jeff no picts yet. I want pictures



Ted

 

[kchristopher]

Originally posted by Amianthus

The ONLY downside to this setup is that the compressor is designed to pump oil through out the system. So it is imperative that you have a filter and that you can somehow return the oil to the crankcase. Other than that, It's a super system.

I thought that Yorks had a separate oil crankcase so you wouldn't have to run oil thru the cylinder.

 

[jalberring]

Sounds like a great system. I asked for some of the components for Christmas but it doesn't look to promising.



Right now I have a 2. 5 gallon tank mounted under the passenger side bed that I fill with a schrader valve. This is hooked up to my Grover air horn. I have checked and re-checked the system for leaks and can't find any. However, I filled the tank last week to 110 PSI and today it is down to 82 PSI. I didn't use the horn at all during this time.



Does a 30 PSI drop sound OK for a weeks time? Possibly the air solenoid is bleeding some off?



P. S. the air lines are new 3/8 inch synflex (sp?). The same as used in the trucking industry with brass fittings. All fittings were sealed with teflon tape.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

OnBoard Air

What Jeff no pictures yet? I want pictures please.

 

[Batman]

Hey Jeff, Congrats on FINALLY finishing Oo. Oo. Oo.



Can't wait to see it in person.

George

 

[n7gxz]

kchristopher,



Yes the York does have a seperate crankcase but it only uses a single ring piston and there is an oil passage from the front bearing to the inlet side of the pump that if it is not pluged will suck the oil out of the crankcase. I've been putting together my own system and should have it up and running in a week or two. I want to let the paint dry before mounting everything. . I'll post some picture of my system when it is mounted.



Kevin

 

[Straight6Jeff]

The york compressor does have a separate crankcase for oil.



the Serp belt is only a little more difficult to change due to the reduced clearance tot he fan shroud. I think it took me about 6 minutes to change the belt.



I will be able to takle some pictures when I get back from NY (Thanksgiving at Pops). I'll take them at MassDiesels Shop so that I can take decent picks under the truck.



OK, now to go condition my liver for this weekend. .

 

[MDKram]

If the front intake oil passage is plugged, can the york be operated on its side and maintain a full crankcase? I know that these compressor will not lose oil if oriented vertically.



I am working on a york setup for my 12 valve. If I relocate the overflow bottle, then I can get the compressor to stand vertically. I would rather mount it over the alternator for a cleaner look, similar to the Kilby kit for the 24 valve.

Marc

 

[Straight6Jeff]

On Brad Kilbys website, he has the York Service manual. It is great. It gives the specs, repairs, and all info regarding how the york works and what doesn't.

 

[The patriot]

Maybe I misunderstood, but if the oil is returning to the crankcase... . I'd be taking oil samples about twice as much as normal until I trusted the system. Maybe more.

JM . 02

Oh and yes... . PICTURES!!!

Eric

 

[Straight6Jeff]

Well, the system worked great while using an air chisel to drive 4' rebar into shale fill. There were two issues with the system that I will adress this week. First was the connection hose from the compressor to the rest of the hard-line system. I had picked up some pressure hose at HomeDepot (time was short). The hose would have a blow out after about 4 minute of run time. The hose couldn't take the heat. Really, the whole system gets hot. I figured this would happen. Second, a high idler would have helped the sytem keep up a little better. The chisel I was using draws 16cfm. I was running the air at an idle. It would start to fall behind afte about 45 seconds of continuos use. The Highe idler will be going in this week also.



Overall, I am very pleased with the system.

 

[MDKram]

Jeff, did you loose any oil from the york crankcase? Sounds like you gave the compressor a good workout!

Marc

 

[The patriot]

Originally posted by Straight6Jeff

First was the connection hose from the compressor to the rest of the hard-line system. I had picked up some pressure hose at HomeDepot (time was short). The hose would have a blow out after about 4 minute of run time. The hose couldn't take the heat.

Braided stainless.

Eric

 

[Straight6Jeff]

A little oil was in teh filter, maybe 1/4 oz. The braided hose is on order. I ordered it from a local distributor for Swageloc.

 

[n7gxz]

Just thought you guys might like to see my home made setup for onboard air. I'm still waiting for the tubing to get here (hopefully in a day or two) to do the finaly install.



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Kevin

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Jeff! Your makin me jealous!!! Would love to add onboard to the Doghouse but no one has the bracket for the 12V engine . Anybody out there tried yet, any sucess?? signed, airless in sNorwell... :--)