Onboard air system

[02diesel]

Have any of you guys installed one of the Viair 12 volt systems? They come with your choice of compressors, a 2 1/2 gl tank and various fitting and switches. How do you like it? Does anyone have any pictures of how they mounted the tank and compressor. I was looking under my truck (quad cab short bed) and there dosent seem to be much room to mount a tank. I was wondering how you guys did it. I only need it to air up tires not for air tools. .

 

[BarryG]

Well I have not used the brand you are asking about but I can tell you how I mounted my stuff. For the compressor (extremeair from extreme outback) I mounted it to the frame underneath the passenger side bed in front of the rear tire. If you look under there directly behind the cab you will find a bed support(on the outside of the frame rail, I would say it is mounted approx 6-8 inches from the front of the bed) . I mounted mine between that one and the next one back it fit just right there. I mounted it up as high as I could. I fabbed up a sheet metal box for it for protection. I mounted my tank underneath my bed. In the center in front of the rear axle there is an existing, for lack of a better term, a cross member that I mounted it to by fabbing up a bracket out of some square tubing. I did not have to drill any holes in the frame as there were enough existing holes to use. I just incorporated the existing holes to my mount. For the tank I just mounted the tank beneath the crossmember and used some square tubing over the top of the cross member and bolted the tank to the square tubing. There also were some existing holes in the cross member I used so that it would not move around.

It has been there for over a year and 30k and still works like a charm with no problems. Probably hard to visualize but it turned out ok imo.

 

[lcaad1249]

Any pictures?

Well I have not used the brand you are asking about but I can tell you how I mounted my stuff. For the compressor (extremeair from extreme outback) I mounted it to the frame underneath the passenger side bed in front of the rear tire. If you look under there directly behind the cab you will find a bed support(on the outside of the frame rail, I would say it is mounted approx 6-8 inches from the front of the bed) . I mounted mine between that one and the next one back it fit just right there. I mounted it up as high as I could. I fabbed up a sheet metal box for it for protection. I mounted my tank underneath my bed. In the center in front of the rear axle there is an existing, for lack of a better term, a cross member that I mounted it to by fabbing up a bracket out of some square tubing. I did not have to drill any holes in the frame as there were enough existing holes to use. I just incorporated the existing holes to my mount. For the tank I just mounted the tank beneath the crossmember and used some square tubing over the top of the cross member and bolted the tank to the square tubing. There also were some existing holes in the cross member I used so that it would not move around.

It has been there for over a year and 30k and still works like a charm with no problems. Probably hard to visualize but it turned out ok imo.

 

[pipeguy]

I am mounting a viair kit in my tool box. I went with a 18gal tank though and will be running 200psi.



I am running a set of BIG air horns and have several air take offs.



I am a dealer for them and also for several air horm manufactures.



Oo.

 

[MAshley]

http://www.kilbyenterprises.com/KE-3000-K.htm



If you have any Q about how well it works let me know, very satisfied customer... . Even if you don't want to run tools, its impressive with tires

 

[TJJEEPER]

http://www.kilbyenterprises.com/KE-3000-K.htm

If you have any Q about how well it works let me know, very satisfied customer... . Even if you don't want to run tools, its impressive with tires

I've got one on my Jeep... works WONDERFUL. Go from 8~10 lbs on the trail to 32 lbs when I hit the pavement in about 15 minutes or less. These are 35x15" tires! I usually fill several sets because we don't want to have to wait around for the 12 volt compressors to do their thing.

Now to get one for the Dodge

 

[02diesel]

Yes I agree, The Kilby system is a really nice way to go but a little more expensive than I can afford for occational use to air up a couple tires on the truck or trailer. I was thinking the 12v and tank may be the best way to go but would like to see some pictures of how some of you mounted your tanks. Not much room under there. I am also considering a CO2 tank. Anyone go that route instead?

 

[BarryG]

I dont have any pics nor a digital camera to take them with but I will see if I can borrow one.

 

[MAshley]

Don't get me wrong but here are a few points... Again Im just a happy customer, and at the time of purchase I was in New orleans during the clean up effort and finding Air was really hard, but finding nails in my tires 6 on truck + 4 on the trailer was a daily issue. 6 nails in one tire one day.....



I don't have any experience with the electric compressor your looking into but I did noticed that on the web site it was listing times to fill a tire. I picked the 325c medium duty



Begin/End PSI 31" X 10. 5"

0 To 30 PSI 4 Min. 58 Sec.

15 To 30 PSI 2 Min. 45 Sec.



Now Im assuming that there including the tank 2. 5 Gal being full at 150PSI to start with. so total time for 4 tires might be longer.



4 tires thats 20 min..... from 0-30

4 tires thats 12 min..... from 15 30



Don't forget the duty cycle is only 33% so that is 20 min per hr.



Also quoted from the web page...



"2. 5 gallon tank from 110-150 PSI in approximately one minute"



Also don't forget, most trucks, have more then 30 psi in there tires, My trailer runs at 80 PSI, truck tires at 55. I do have experience with those little 12V cigaret lighter pumps sold at most auto parts stores, they will fill a tire, they even can do high PSI, but there extremely slow I tired to fill my trailer tire once, it had about 40 PSI to start, pluged the hole in it and waited almost 30 min before I said forget it I gave up and just used what was in the tire I don't remember the finial PSI but it wasn't 80.



My experience, with the kilby, and a 2. 5 gal tank



2. 5 gal tank empty Filling the tank from 0-150 PSI in 40 seconds at engine idle. Yes I actually walked out, started the truck and timed it just for you.



I personally don't' care which system you get, but to fill tires, you need volume, then PSI.

I believe most 12V electric systems are better at PSI then they are at volume.



If funds are tight, and for most people they are, Me included, just buy the compressor and bracket. the link is for a complete kit, "tank, distribution, lines, filters, connections, ETC. this unit will fill tires with out a tank, No problem ran it for months with out a tank. Call the guy over there forgot his name but I asked a 100's of questions before I charged my credit card. you could even get your own york compressor and use the mounting bracket. I would even recommend a scuba tank or c02 over the 12V solution.



I mounted my tank under the bed in front of the left tire, near the fuel tank lines. I didn't have many tools or access to a lot of supplies so I used large zip ties, and expanding foam as a filler between the bed and tank. Geto I know but I was in New Orleans after the flood so funtional took over looks + its out of sight anyways.



Good luck..... once you have air you never want to be with out it. I keep a air line and impact gun with me everywhere I go. Oo.

 

[02diesel]

MAshley, Thanks for the in depth explanation. Yes limited funds is the basis for my decision for the 12 volt. I never realized you could buy only the compressor and bracket and make it work at least in the short term. I will definitely check it out. I was also looking at the co2 tanks but was concerned about running out at the least convient time.

 

[DKnotts]

Not to jump on the Kilby bandwagon but they are nearly famous in the off road world. FYI if you can find an old York air conditioning compressor off an older car in the scrap yard, there are easy, cheap rebuild kits that would save you the bulk of expenses in putting together that system. For car and truck models that used them you would have to research on the web in the 4 wheel drive community. Also, I believe Kilby can even recondition the old unit for you if it needed more than just a rebuild or weren't comfortable doing the work (if it even needed any).

As far as the 12V systems - you have to do your homework. You would have to weigh cost vs. power (output volume) for a "good" compressor. Also, duty rating as MAshley stated and high current draw (high as 150A-York unit has none) are all to be considered. Of course a major part of the equation is stored capacity. Yes, the York has enough output to run without a tank for most applications but I don't beleive there is any 12v unit that can do that and fill a tire satisfactorily. If you had/could find the room more storage the better... for either system really.

 

[BFoughty]

Ok... . now you guys have got me wanting to get one for my truck.

 

[Bertram65]

Not in my truck, but I have a pair of 450c Viair compressors and 5 gallon tanks in my Buick, it has full air ride. They work great.

 

[Cigar John]

Is there any way to run it above idle ?

 

[KLockliear]

While a little more expensive than the Viair compressors (450 and the like), I chose this Air-Zenith OB1: http://www.air-zenith.com/pdut_detail.asp?cateid=9&id=5



It's rated at 100% duty cycle and 200psi, and moved 2. 85cfm free flow... over 1cfm more than the 450c.

 

[DieselPuter]

Take a look at the.........

CO2 tanks. I use one that I sourced from a local welding shop for 90 bucks, I bought the regulator and bracket online from a off road shop, (there are lots of them that carry the parts).



The tanks costs 25 bucks to fill, and it lasts forever. It has enough air to use a air impact to take off a flat and fill a compleatly empty tire and impact it back on. It also has enough pressure to pop the bad back on.



I read somewhere that a 10lb tank has the air to take a 35" tire from 12psi to 35 psi about 25 times... ... . for what thats worth... .



Good luck... ... .....

 

[02diesel]

Guys, Thanks for all the great replies. The one thing I see in common with most of the systems weather it is Kilby or one of the 12volts is the use of a 2 1/2 gl tank. With all the replies does anyone have any pictures of how they mounted the tank. This bit of information (I believe) is very importiant to a few of us.



Thanks

 

[UP N MTNS]

Guys, Thanks for all the great replies. The one thing I see in common with most of the systems weather it is Kilby or one of the 12volts is the use of a 2 1/2 gl tank. With all the replies does anyone have any pictures of how they mounted the tank. This bit of information (I believe) is very importiant to a few of us.



Thanks

I use a CO2 set up. The company is POWERTANK http://www.powertank.com/



I love it,it's the 10lb bottle it cost me $10 bucks to fill at the local welding supply place. It lasts a really long time,I run air horns,air tools,tire fill ups, I use it to blow out the interior of the truck... . etc The reg is adjustable from 2-3lbs up to over 200lbs.

It will set the bead on a tire that has come off the rim. It will fill and empty tire in -30 sec range. Alot of guys piece there own together,nothing wrong with that but spend as much as you can on the regulator/valve assembly.

A buddie build his own but chinched on the reg and it is very slow.



I will find a pic of it mounted in the bed of the truck and post it up for you





I have one of there lockable brackets,I also have a bracket in my off-road rig. Just switch the bottle between trucks as needed. I have everything in a small tool bag,air line,chucks,tire fill up thing,tire plugs. . etc I just toss the bag in the tool box and forget about it. .



Best thing about this type of set up is it's mobile, I can carry it to a stuck truck on the trail,bring it in the house to dust... LOL



Adam

 

[02diesel]

Adam, Thanks for the reply. I would like to see a pic of your bottle mounted if you have one. I am just trying to be sure my limited funds go for the correct system before I do anything.



Thanks

Frank

 

[DieselPuter]

Ditto

Ditto to Adam, get a high quality regulator... ... ... for a cost comparison of CO2



Tank: $90 (filled)

regulator: $123 (0-300 psi fully adjustable)

Mount: $40

Hose: Had one laying around the shop



For 250 bucks you have a long lasting, VERY simple system with not a whole lot to go wrong. The CO2 has all the same benefits as a on board air, plus being able to set a bead, run air tools, portability, simplicity, duribility, no drain on your battery, no wires to get tangled, bla bla bla... ... ... .



In my 3500 I just throw it in the tool box, I use the mount in my off-road truck, so you could save the 40 bucks and just throw it in a tool box. In the off-road community I don't know anyone who is installing on board air anymore, everyone is going with the CO2 for all the reasons I listed above... ... ... let us know what you decide!!!



Jon