Budget 12v air compressor system

[rlb]

I'm working on a compressed air system for my 1994 Suburban. I'm always lugging one of those 5 gallon air tanks around for inflating tires etc... Viair sells a nice kit for about $400. I'm trying to get similar performance for about half of that.


Here are the major parts so far. I'll post later this week with some pictures and more detail, plus a full parts list of all the fittings.



Illuminated dash pressure gauge and on/off switch $30
http://www.viaircorp.com/images/manuals/10061_20062_Manual.pdf

Harbor Freight pump $60
http://www.harborfreight.com/12volt-150-psi-compact-air-compressor-69285.html

Firestone 3Gal Tank $63 with 3 ¼” npt fittings
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fip-9148/overview/


90PSI OFF 110PSI ON switch $5
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370920437293?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

 

[DieselCash]

Could you not get a tank at a semi truck wrecking yard for cheaper? I keep wanting to go that route but never seem to have the time and the money at the same time to do it.

Thanks for this thread. I am very interested in doing this with my truck. :thumbsup: On the cheap of course! :agreed:

 

[rlb]

Probably, never thought to check.

The good news is that everything is coming together nicely. I bought all of the major components and hardware for $175. Spent $35 on misc stuff. Used another $30 worth of misc stuff I had laying around already, so i've spent $210 so far.

The bad news is the Viair system I thought was $400, I just came across on Amazon at $330 with free shipping. Had I known this last week, I would have just bought the kit! I saved $100 bucks but I've spent at least 5 hours designing the system and ordering parts.

I should have it done over the weekend. I have the compressor mounted, relay wired and just waiting on the tank to arrive today. Pressure switch and dash mount pressure gauge plus on/off switch arrive Friday.

 

[jrsavoie]

Years ago we used to make air tank tube bumpers when we were 4 wheeling. We used a fairly cheap Accel 12 volt air compressor. We got the domed ends for the pipe and welded them on. They worked pretty good.

 

[dmaxx3500]

id be scared of that harbor frieght compressor,,the viair stuff is rated at 100% duty cycle,i was looking at a 400/450? portable unit to air up car tires on my trailer

 

[rlb]

id be scared of that harbor frieght compressor,,the viair stuff is rated at 100% duty cycle,i was looking at a 400/450? portable unit to air up car tires on my trailer

The Viair "Heavy Duty Onboard Air System" Ships with a 2.5 gallon tank, a 400C 2.2cfm compressor rated at 33% duty cycle. The whole kit is about $330. If you want the 100% duty cycle compressor, its $400 bucks and the CFM drops to 1.5.

My set up is a 33% duty cycle compressor with 1.5 CFM and a 3 gallon tank. If I ever want to upgrade I can, and keep the harbor freight compressor for another vehicle. I had one of these compressors for my jeep and it would take a set of 33's from 11 PSI to 30 psi without any complaints. I should be okay.

I got most everything mounted, plumbed and wired at this point. Just waiting on my Viair dash mount switch and pressure gauge to arrive (should be this afternoon).

 

[rlb]

 

[rlb]

Still a work in progress with a little wiring and tidying up left to do, but I have the air lines run and everything ready for the Viair gauge/switch. I'm going to move that regulator a bit after I pull up the carpet in the back and lay down some bedliner. If anyone has done this before let me know. Carpet is kinda nasty, I must have a leak somewhere because its a little bit damp.

Actually I wouldn't mind having the regulator mounted under the rear bumper if it was weatherproof. But this one was free.

The air lines are high pressure, hard poly. 1/4 OD for the pressure gauge and supply from the harbor freight compressor. 3/8 OD from the air tank to the regulator. All 1/4NPT fittings. I had to get a 1/8 to 1/4 NPT adapter for the compressor. I followed the wiring from the diagram in the Viair manual. The on/off switch will feed 12v to the pressure switch. If the pressure is low, the 12v passes through the switch and activates the relay. http://www.viaircorp.com/images/manuals/10061_20062_Manual.pdf

I mounted the compressor in the engine compartment however I am a little worried about heat. The compressor shuts off at 170F. Its probably 120F after a long drive. We'll see how it does, I can always relocate it.

Note to use the harbor freight compressor I needed to add a check valve. Otherwise it will blow its fuse if you try and start it when its hooked up to something with a lot of pressure. For example, a 3 gallon air tank. 2nd photo is the pressure switch. A line comes up from the tank, where it T's off there I have another line run through the firewall to connect to my gauge/switch.

 

[rlb]

Parts list from McMaster Carr. In addition to what I bought on the 1st post.


Line Product Ordered Ships Price Total
1 5053K37 Quick-Assembly Brass Compression Tube Fitting, Straight Adapter for 1/4" Tube OD X 1/8 Female Pipe 1

2.03


2 5053K48 Quick-Assembly Brass Compression Tube Fitting, Straight Adapter for 1/4" Tube OD X 1/4 Male Pipe 1
each today
2.34
each 2.34

3 5053K31 Quick-Assembly Brass Compression Tube Fitting, Tee for 1/4" Tube OD 1


4 50785K322 Medium-Pressure Brass Threaded Pipe Fitting, 1/4 Pipe Size, Female X Male X Female Tee 2
each today
5.42


5 50785K43 Medium-Pressure Brass Threaded Pipe Fitting, 1/4 Pipe Size, 90 Degree Male X Female Elbow 1
each today
2.50

6 7775K12 Quick-Opening Brass Check Valve, 1/4 NPTF Dryseal Female Connections, Buna-N Seal 1
each today
12.49
each 12.49
7 4921K16 Drain-Handle Brass Stop Cock, Wing-Nut Handle, 1/4" NPT Male, External Seal 1
each today
2.46


8 48435K72 Extend-Life ASME Pop-Safety Valve with Test Ring, Brass, Medium Flow, 1/4 NPT Male, 145 PSI 1
each today
5.26

9 50375K81 High-Pressure/Vacuum Polyethylene Tubing .170" ID, 1/4" OD, .04" Wall Thickness, Black, 25 ft. Length 1
each
2.75






1 5053K48 Quick-Assembly Brass Compression Tube Fitting, Straight Adapter for 1/4" Tube OD X 1/4 Male Pipe 2
each today
2.34

2 5053K53 Quick-Assembly Brass Compression Tube Fitting, Straight Adapter for 3/8" Tube OD X 1/4 Male Pipe 2
each today
2.77

3 50375K81 High-Pressure/Vacuum Polyethylene Tubing .170" ID, 1/4" OD, .04" Wall Thickness, Black, 25 ft. Length 1
each today
2.75

4 50375K82 High-Pressure/Vacuum Polyethylene Tubing 1/4" ID, 3/8" OD, 1/16" Wall Thickness, Black, 25 ft. Length 1
each today
4.50

 

[Burning oil]

Nice thing is you could put air bags on it now and inflate them with your system. I have an Air Ride set up and have thought about tee'ing in for emergency air.

 

[rlb]

Nice thing is you could put air bags on it now and inflate them with your system. I have an Air Ride set up and have thought about tee'ing in for emergency air.

True. I think the tank is actually made for an air suspension system.

 

[Will L.]

As for the under hood heat, mine is under my hood and no problems. Not a harbor freight, but still the heat generated by the compressor is far above heat around it.

Leroy definately add a qd for attaching a hose to. Way to useful. Get a 25' coil hose and throw under a seat if you don't have a toolbox. I use mine so often Im seriously considering a small auto retract reel for a 25' hose if I had a good spot for one. Constantly air kids & friends tires, blow out cab area after dusty run, and an impact for swapping tires on a run. Of coarse my truck eats tires so that's big to me. I have a new airbag for a freightliner that might turn into my new jack...

 

[rlb]

The parts came in and I got it up and running. It will take the 3 gallon tank from 0-120 psi in about 2.5 minutes. Works pretty well.




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