On Board Air?

[csutke]

Has any installed an On board air system on their rig? If so what did you use, where did you mount it, any problems etc? Im thinking about installing on and would like some tips, pointers. The reason for this is i would like a way to air up my tires at the trail head after a fun day on the trail and inflate air matresses and such. Also would a storage tank be nessarcary or would the compressor be enough.

[GrimGreg]

Has any installed an On board air system on their rig? If so what did you use, where did you mount it, any problems etc? Im thinking about installing on and would like some tips, pointers. The reason for this is i would like a way to air up my tires at the trail head after a fun day on the trail and inflate air matresses and such. Also would a storage tank be nessarcary or would the compressor be enough.

 

 

If you plan to run tools (Impact etc.) then get a tank. Otherwise just a compressor.

[glenn]

I have ARB lockers and their air pump. It has worked well airing up tires, although a bit slow. It's a reasonable trade off since it's so small. I replaced my factory airbox [1990 se] with a cone filter and then had plenty of room for the air pump

[XPLORx4]

Click here to see my OBA setup.

 

BTW, don't use OBA for inflating air mattresses. The CFM of even the best OBA is way too low to inflate an air mattress quickly and conveniently enough to make it worthwhile. Instead, use a battery-powered air mattress pump that's better suited for the task.

Edited June 18, 2007 by XPLORx4

[vengeful]

An alternative to a compressor is Compressed Liquid CO2. I run a 10LB Liquid CO2 tank in my truck, and use it to air up tires, reseat beads and other trail necessities. It's easily portable, and doesn't carry the high-cost, or installation difficulty of a compressor. It costs about $15 to fill the tank at a beer store.

 

Here's a good reference on using Liquid CO2 for on board air.

 

In fact, give me about 6 weeks, and it may be for sale...

[csutke]

Thanks for the good info XPLORx4. Acutally i was thinking about getting one of those exact models or one very similar to it. Do you recommend getting a tank to hold air or just using the compressor to fill the tires? Also vengeful i had thought about it CO2 and im convinced that it works well but im not sure that im ready to spend that much time trying to find a good tank and a company to fill it, but thanks for the input. Quick question though how many air ups do you have in your tank before you have to get it refilled and where did you get your tank?

[XPLORx4]

Acutally i was thinking about getting one of those exact models or one very similar to it. Do you recommend getting a tank to hold air or just using the compressor to fill the tires?

 

What do you intend to use the air tank for, and what is your budget for OBA? If you're simply interested in airing up tires, you don't really need a tank at all. But if you've just been dying to have an excuse for carrying around your full arsenal of air tools in the truck all the time, then, yeah, get a tank. (Or better yet, get CO2. It'll go further.)

[csutke]

(Or better yet, get CO2. It'll go further.)

what do you mean it will go further?

[XPLORx4]

what do you mean it will go further?

 

Because a CO2 system has such a large capacity, it can run air tools a lot more efficiently and longer than a 12v compressor/tank. Most lower-cost (i.e. under $150) compressors don't put out enough CFM to run air tools. With a small compressor and a small tank, you'll constantly have to wait for the compressor to build up sufficient PSI again before you can operate the tool. If you go with a larger more expensive compressor, such as the ExtremeAire, it's a different story.

 

It's all a matter of how you want to use OBA.

[vengeful]

My CO2 tank typically lasts me about 6-8 months of air-ups, depending on how often I go wheeling.

 

I can generally air up my 32"x11.5x15" tires 10 times or so before I start worrying that the tank is going to run low. That's appx. 40 tires.

[csutke]

cool thanks for all the good info, so i still havent decided what route im gonna go i think that im gonna start with a compressor/ tank set up such as this:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...4346&rd=1,1

 

as the price right i cant beat and everything that it comes with it seams like a good deal. If i cant win this ive thought about getting a compressor from an Air ride suspension set up will this be a good route or should i go with something like what Dean has?

[XPLORx4]

That ebay deal doesn't show the duty cycle and CFM ratings for the compressor. Risky. You don't want to be trying to inflate your tires with an undersized compressor that has a duty cycle shorter than the time it takes to air up. But, in the end, it's up to you.

 

My first "OBA" was a $29.99 cigarette-lighter compressor that I carried in the rear storage bin. The first time I used it, it took 45 minutes to air up 4 31" tires from 18 to 30psi. That got old really quick.

 

My second OBA was my ARB compressor, which took about 25 minutes to do the same job, and the compressor ran VERY hot. Probably exceeded its duty cycle on every air-up.

 

My final OBA is described in the link I posted above.

Edited June 19, 2007 by XPLORx4

[csutke]

that compressor it rated at-

Max air pressure: 145psi

Amp Draw: 17amps

CFM @60 PSI: .77

CFM @100 PSI: .60

 

any good? or not

id find a place to mount it or i would just fill it at home and then bring it on the trail when needed

Edited June 19, 2007 by csutke

[XPLORx4]

that compressor it rated at-

Max air pressure: 145psi

Amp Draw: 17amps

CFM @60 PSI: .77

CFM @100 PSI: .60

 

any good? or not

id find a place to mount it or i would just fill it at home and then bring it on the trail when needed

 

.77CFM?!! That's horrible, unless you don't mind waiting a long time to pressurize the tank. Read my earlier post above. I edited it.

 

Also, a 3-gallon tank full of 120psi filled at home will probably only get you about 1 tire close to street pressure.

 

For comparison, the $70 Superflow MV-50 I bought does 2.54CFM (although that's probably at 0psi). However, it will air up all 4 of my tires in less than 15 minutes.

Edited June 19, 2007 by XPLORx4

[csutke]

cool thanks that helps ALOT, that really narrows down my search. Where did you get your superflow?

[XPLORx4]

cool thanks that helps ALOT, that really narrows down my search. Where did you get your superflow?

 

I got it at Pep Boys, although 4wheelparts and other retailers carry it, too. You might be able to find one on e-bay or online someplace, too. Google for "MV-50 compressor" or "MF1050 compressor" to read all about it.

[msavides]

I got it at Pep Boys, although 4wheelparts and other retailers carry it, too. You might be able to find one on e-bay or online someplace, too. Google for "MV-50 compressor" or "MF1050 compressor" to read all about it.

 

 

Costco has it for 49 bucks. just bought mine last week to run my lockers and I used my rear bumper as a air tank. Fills my bumper and lines up to 105 psi in 5 min.

 

Mark

[csutke]

XPLORx4 could you do me a huge favor? If you get a chance could you get a pic of the whole engine compartment with compressor installed. Ive been looking in there and there doesnt seam like theres much room for a compressor. I have a K&N filter does that take up more space that the POP charger?

[XPLORx4]

I removed the stock airbox when I installed my JWT POP Charger. Otherwise, there's no way I'd have fit any kind of OBA in the engine compartment.

 

These are pics I already have that show the space previously occupied by the ARB compressor, where I put the MV-50. I mounted the MV-50 at an angle, since the space between the fender and the steering shaft was clear. Your '98 may have vacuum lines and such in that space, though.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 20, 2007 by XPLORx4

[csutke]

thanks that helps alot