Onboard Air

[rockdawg]

I have been looking for an inexpensive way to have onboard air to reinflate my tires preferably a portable system so anybody else I’m wheeling with can also use it.
When I researched it I realized that each system has its drawbacks. I’ll list what I have found and if anyone has some thoughts let me know.

Converting my a/c compressor to an air compressor = I like my a/c in the summer since its my daily driver so that ones out.

Installing a york compressor driven by the vehicles engine = fairly expensive and I really don’t have the room for one, also someday when I hit the lottery that space/pulley will be used for a supercharger.

Liquid co2 tank = the good thing is that a 10 pound bottle can fill about 40 tires very quickly and also run an air tool if really needed. The bad thing is around $200.00 for the set up and about $12.oo every time I need to refill it. That could get expensive after a while and I would only remember that it’s empty when I’m in the middle of the woods.

Those cheap little 12volt compressors that you can get at walmart or home depot = Very slow, about 5 Minuits per tire to go from 15 to 30psi. That’s 20 min’s for me and anybody else that needs it.

Tornado III portable air compressor = This may be the one I go with. It’s supposed to be able to inflate a 33” tire from 15 to 30psi in less than 3 min’s but I don’t know anyone that has one to verify this. For $87.oo it seems reasonable.Here’s the link to one:
http://www.ok4wd.com/product.asp?id=578

[bondo303]

I put a York OBA system on my TJ. I have an 02 with the 4.0 and A/C. The whole thing cost just about $400 but it is well worth it. I inflate my 31s from 15-30 in about 25 seconds. I am done in airing up in less than 3 minutes. I have also used it with air tools and it works great too. CO2 is good but it is another thing in the cargo area and it needs to be refilled. The 12volt compressor is good for an air mattress and nothing more. They take forever. I would not convert the stock A/C compressor because unlike the York, the compressor is lubricated by the freon in the A/C system and if you convert it to just pump air, you will need a oiling system for it. The York has its own oil sump which is why it is ideal for OBA. The tornado looks OK and it will probably work better with an air tank connected to it. It pumps out under 2 cfm when I think the York pumps out 10cfm. Go to onboardair.com for more info. That is where I got the bracket from and I also did a write on jeepforum.com. The whole thing took a few hours and it was worth it. Come spring I am going to rerun the air hoses and move the manifold I made further from the pump due to the heat from the the air coming from the out port.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104584

Let me know if you have any questions.

Jon

[XEON]

onboardair.com have some nice kits. But those jerks dont have one for my Jeep :cry:

I was thinking about doing a 12V system just because I have alittle engine and now its struggling with just my hellas running...

[NYWheeler]

I have a question about the CO2. I haven't looked into them so I don't know much about how they work. Why can't you go to your local welding supplier and just buy a 10lb bottle with regulator and have it filled? Is there something special about the systems that are out there right now? Just a thought.


Tom

[rockdawg]

I have a question about the CO2. I haven't looked into them so I don't know much about how they work. Why can't you go to your local welding supplier and just buy a 10lb bottle with regulator and have it filled? Is there something special about the systems that are out there right now? Just a thought.
Yea I think you can. Here's a link to one on ebay that answers a lot of questions http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33746&item=7952684 373&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[sentinal02]

onboardair.com have some nice kits. But those jerks dont have one for my Jeep :cry:

I was thinking about doing a 12V system just because I have alittle engine and now its struggling with just my hellas running...

who needs a kit? buy the compressor from a JY and fab up a bracket for it. that's on my list of things to do this year as well. locker comes first and then either this or an electric fan conversion. my fan clutch is locked up so i've got to fix that anyway.

[NYWheeler]

Well, I did a little looking into the CO2 bottles on the market and most systems either use a 150psi fixed regulator or a 200psi adjustable regulator. So just make sure you get a regulator for 150psi.

[badzook]

I too have been thinking about buying a portable air compressor. I know these are a little pricey but you get what you pay for... I think these are top of the line in quality. I'm going with the Portable Unit so I can switch between vehicles..
With this unit you can use as a portable or mount it permanently. It's capable of filling an an air tank or reseating a tire on a rim if needed.

http://www.offroadtoystore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SPQA301&Cate gory_Code=CAT-AirSystems-PortableComp

Take note there are no portable units capable of running air tools. You need an engine driven York type or gasoline engine driven shop type compressor to handle the capacity to run Air Tools.


8)
badzook

[badzook]

sentinal02

Quote by: sentinal02

my fan clutch is locked up so i've got to fix that anyway

I thought that fan was a bit noisy when we were wheelin' last time... I thought I made mention of it...

BTW I found that trail we were talking about over by sdown. I couldn't access it because the Snowplows had plowed the snow 5 feet high at the entrance... Took a good hike down there and it was great.. It's a "Not Maintained Public Road" There are signs at the entrance stating this...Definitely Legal. I'm going to research some of the others at the City Hall Next Week...

Also, have been mapping a few others over that way. I've nailed down quite a few places to check out...One is really Steep and Nasty according to the Topo Mapping Programs. First I need to see if they are Public Access..

Are you up for a trail seeking ride soon? e-mail Me...
badzook

[NJ Rubi]

My 10 lbs tank is one of the best mods I have. I fill up before I go out wheelng for $10 at the local paintball shop. Ive done 24 33" tires from 10-12psi to 30-32psi AND used the air gun to change a flat tire all on one tank in one weekend. Another big plus with CO2... If the trucks NOT running, the CO2 still is! HTH

[rockdawg]

This is a great thread, lots of good info.
It looks like I will be going with CO2. This has a lot to do with cost, performance and weight.

As I mod the jeep it keeps getting heavier and where I put the weight really affects handling. I spent some time keeping the weight off the front when I added the winch by using synthetic rope/alum. fairlead and relatively light bumper. So adding a engine mounted compressor is out. I can’t spend the money for a good electric compressor right now. I think you guys are right about the cheap ones being too slow and underpowered.

So an aluminum CO2 tank mounted in the left rear corner makes the most sense. I am thinking about the one I posted the ebay link to. It comes with a mount, alum.tank, regulator and hose/air chuck for 200.00. The cheapest I have found a new 10# tank for is 75.00 and a reguator/guage for 25.00 but I am still looking for a price on a good mount and then fabbing up the air line.

[dmxjg35]

Ive been wanting to do this for a long time, what would you need to buy to make the c02 work? just a tank and a regulator?

Ive found http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1267&item=38717054 87&rd=1 for a tank, i was also thinking maybe a 5lb tank

and a http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1267&item=38717057 18&rd=1 for a regulator

And i have a local place by me that is a welding shop that might have both of these type of things and since i know someone that works there i could get a good deal.

Anything else i would need to do this?

[rockdawg]

Ive been wanting to do this for a long time, what would you need to buy to make the c02 work? just a tank and a regulator?

Ive found http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1267&item=38717054 87&rd=1 for a tank, i was also thinking maybe a 5lb tank

and a http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1267&item=38717057 18&rd=1 for a regulator

And i have a local place by me that is a welding shop that might have both of these type of things and since i know someone that works there i could get a good deal.

Anything else i would need to do this?
Thats too funny, I found the same 2 ad's on ebay!
I think all you would need extra is an air hose, an adapter, tire chuck. which home depot sells.
The only thing i can not find yet is a mount to be able to secure it inside the jeep.
Here is a great link http://www.wt4wheeling.com/tech/co2tank.htm

[dmxjg35]

That is funny, gotta love ebay, im going to check with the place local see how much they get for a 10lb tank then i just need to get the regulator. I might just bungie it to the back of my seat, i wouldnt want to leave it in there all the time, just for when i go wheeling to fill back up the tires.

[bondo303]

Not sure if you saw this yet but it is a complete CO2 setup with everything, even a mounting bracket. I don't know too much about CO2 setups but it looks not bad for $199.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33746&item=7952684 373&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[sentinal02]

I might just bungie it to the back of my seat, i wouldnt want to leave it in there all the time, just for when i go wheeling to fill back up the tires.

nonononononoNO! you're dealing with compressed gases under HIGH pressure! bungee cords are not going to hold that thing down if something goes wrong. besides being a 10 lb weight flying around in the event of an accident or a roll, if the neck of the bottle were to break off then you'd have a 10 lbs missle flying around as all the CO2 acted as a propellent. ever race a model car with the little 12 gram cartridges? if you're lucky it would just fly out a window and land harmlessly a 1/4 mile away. if not it could fly into you or someone standing nearby and do some serious damage. welding tanks have to be chained down for a reason and so does this.

[dmxjg35]

well i didnt mean bungies i ment those ratchet straps, but i found online a few places that have a hard mount holder for 40 bucks so i would rather go that way.

[rockdawg]

nonononononoNO! you're dealing with compressed gases under HIGH pressure! bungee cords are not going to hold that thing down if something goes wrong. besides being a 10 lb weight flying around in the event of an accident or a roll, if the neck of the bottle were to break off then you'd have a 10 lbs missle flying around as all the CO2 acted as a propellent.
Yeah But you could make one hell of an ejector seat

[dmxjg35]

Yeah but you could make one hell of an ejector seat

Isnt that how they did it with 2 fast 2 furious lol Ive seen what happens with a propane tank when it explodes in a car, im sure this could do just as much damage. for 40 bucks id much rather be safe then sorry, now if i could just find that link again :mad:

[rockdawg]

go to http://www.powertank.com/start.htm
look at the bottom of the page and click on mounting ideas. They have some bling mounts

[NJ Rubi]

Not sure if you saw this yet but it is a complete CO2 setup with everything, even a mounting bracket. I don't know too much about CO2 setups but it looks not bad for $199.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33746&item=7952684 373&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

That is the EXACT kit I got in a black tank. I love it. I mounted mine in the right rear corner standing upright. With the supplied hose, I never even have to take it out of the Jeep to air my Jeep up. Ill try to shoot some pics tomorrow for everyone.

[ROCKREADYXJ]

I sell the powertank and all the accesrioes I would suggest you get a bracket designed to hold that tank they can be very dangerous if not fastened properly. here is a picture of mine I have rolled several times and the tank never moved.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/ROCKREADYXJ/209369329BDtkkp_ph.jpg

[Lifted Jeep Sahara]

if your still looking into this i would suggest looking at Extreme Air its a 12v compressor that is said to be almost as fast as a york