On-board Air Compressors
Since Pismo Beach is now a regular destination for me and airing down the tires is a requirement, I'm looking at options for an on-board Air System. I've settled on a system by VIAIR with dual com...
Forum Discussion
I have had on board air on my truck for the last 20 years. I have not used Viar but from what I have seen they have at least some quality units.
You want 100% duty cycle for sure.
The bigger the tank the better but in reality you cant put a large enough tank in it to make up for a lower power/quality compressor so tank size is really not a problem as pretty much no matter what you are going to need your compressor running. Which means a good compressor with 100% duty cycle.
Beyond that it is what are you willing to spend for speed or quantity of air.
There are engine mounted kits that use a York (or similar) compressor for the pump. They can put out up to 8-10cfm at 150psi. The rub is getting it to fit under the hood with access to the belt to drive it. There is a company called Oasis that makes one that is electric powered however at $1500-2000 and 100+amps it is a bit more than most want.
My compressor (outback extreme extremeaire compressor) has been mounted under the truck between the frame rail and the bed side the entire time I have had it. It is in a semi enclosed box (no top or back side) I made out of scrap sheet metal laying around. I have an air line going up to the front for my horns and another airline going to the rear bumper with a quick connect on it. On my previous truck I had a quick connect on the front of the truck as well but decided against it on this one as it really isn't needed for me at least. My rear connect with one of those coil hoses can easily reach my front, rear and trailer tires no problem.
Tires hold a large amount of air so unless you go quite big it will still take a while to air up a bunch of tires
My compressor is an extreme outback extremeaire but they have others as well as a few wiring and plumbing diagrams that might be helpful
https://www.extremeoutback.com/products/2/Air+Compressors.html
I can say that if mine ***** out I would buy another one though I may go up in size to their Magnum since it has more air, they didn't have it at the time when I bought mine many years ago. Though for $200 I might be willing to wait a bit longer when I need to air up.
You want 100% duty cycle for sure.
The bigger the tank the better but in reality you cant put a large enough tank in it to make up for a lower power/quality compressor so tank size is really not a problem as pretty much no matter what you are going to need your compressor running. Which means a good compressor with 100% duty cycle.
Beyond that it is what are you willing to spend for speed or quantity of air.
There are engine mounted kits that use a York (or similar) compressor for the pump. They can put out up to 8-10cfm at 150psi. The rub is getting it to fit under the hood with access to the belt to drive it. There is a company called Oasis that makes one that is electric powered however at $1500-2000 and 100+amps it is a bit more than most want.
My compressor (outback extreme extremeaire compressor) has been mounted under the truck between the frame rail and the bed side the entire time I have had it. It is in a semi enclosed box (no top or back side) I made out of scrap sheet metal laying around. I have an air line going up to the front for my horns and another airline going to the rear bumper with a quick connect on it. On my previous truck I had a quick connect on the front of the truck as well but decided against it on this one as it really isn't needed for me at least. My rear connect with one of those coil hoses can easily reach my front, rear and trailer tires no problem.
Tires hold a large amount of air so unless you go quite big it will still take a while to air up a bunch of tires
My compressor is an extreme outback extremeaire but they have others as well as a few wiring and plumbing diagrams that might be helpful
https://www.extremeoutback.com/products/2/Air+Compressors.html
I can say that if mine ***** out I would buy another one though I may go up in size to their Magnum since it has more air, they didn't have it at the time when I bought mine many years ago. Though for $200 I might be willing to wait a bit longer when I need to air up.
