Geocritter wrote:
Scott,
I believe you solved my problem, by Jove! I'll just remove the 2-hp electric motor and compressor from the top of my air tank and mount it on an adjacent platform with a flex line connecting it to the tank. With the height gone it'll easily fit in my bay. I already have about 30 ft of air hose so access to my tires or nearly anything else on my rig isn't a problem no matter where I put it.
BTW, you talk about off-roading, in the mid-70's I lived in Menlo Park and had a neighbor who was heavily into off-roading. He used to talk about doing emergency welding by connecting the groups car batteries together with jumper cables to make an emergency DC welder. In southern Illinois we used to build winches using the gear box from a residential furnace coal stoker and a car starting motor, necessity truly is the mother of invention. You off-roaders are my kind of people! Makes me want to own a 4WD again.
Steve
Steve,
Glad I could be of some assistance in your venture in the "air powered world". Yep, we've been on many outings when at least two batteries were grouped together for an emergency weld. The problem as you would know is, there's absolutely "0" control over the amperage. So, you better have some welding experience so you don't "fry" whatever you're trying to repair.
I don't if you're aware or not but, there's been some pretty keen improvements in the "Off road repair" in last part of the century. One is called the "Mobi-weld". It's a simple, trigger controlled, wire feed welder, in a small case, about the size of 3/8" drill case and, uses auto batteries for power. Pretty nifty for those "outback" repairs. There are others out there to that utilize your alternator and a control box. They're move complicated but, more controllable too.
Anyway, if and when you set this "mobile air supply" up, take care as to the precautions that air, when compressed, get's HOT, so, the line(s) from the compressor to the tank, must be able to tolerate heat. Other than that, have fun setting it up. Take pics. Let us know how it comes out.
Scott
Jagtech wrote:
Off-roaders often just carry a tank of CO2 fitted with a regulator to power their air tools. More compact than a compressor, and requires no electricity, so operates anywhere. Various sized tanks are available, both new and used. Depending on the size, they will last quite a while, and certainly have enough volume to power that 3/4" gun, or air up some tires. They can be refilled at any welding shop, or many soda pop bottling facilities. A regulator is necessary as the CO2 tank pressure is around 1000 psi.
Well Sir,
I'll beg to differ with you on this. We Jeeped for over 25 years with (7) different Jeep Wranglers. We owned (1)CJ-5, (2)CJ-7s, (2)YJs, and (2)TJs, the last one being an '04 Rubicon. All seven Jeeps were setup with an on board, engine driven air compressor. Every one of those air compressors lived an earlier life as an air conditioner pump. Some of our Jeeps had disguised air tanks. Things like bumpers, nerf bars etc. were actually air tanks. But, air tanks are more of novelty than a necessity in the off road world. It all depends on your priorities on what you want to carry in those small storage vehicles. Jeeps like that are small in terms of storage so, all 20 of us ran those same exact pumps as compressors and none had refillable air tanks.
Yes, some folks carry a tank but, not all that many. That's not to say they don't work, they will but, the on board compressor was and still is superior to an air tank.
Geocritter,
Now, this is another idea for you to take a look at. I've built several home air compressors out of automobile air conditioning pumps. I used the York and Tecumseh models for quite a few of them and, even a rotary "Sanden" one too. Those A/C pumps are capable of some seriously high pressure, (as demonstrated by their ability to handle pressures like 300 in A/C operations).
But, all that's needed is a good working York style with a "still working magnetic clutch", a 1HP electric motor, a small pulley, a pressure switch (Square D makes most of them) and some sort of tank.
The motor and pump can be mounted on a flat platform and then mounted anywhere that will accommodate it. Then, just plumb in the pressure switch and, you can get an air tank from any truck wrecking yard and mount it along the frame some place, out of the way and sight. Then, setup a remote gauge for you pressure readings and, an outlet or two for your convenience. We did it on the Jeeps all the time. One outlet on either each side of the Jeep or, one at the back and one in the front.
Depending on your pulley size, that pump will be very close to a 2.5-3HP Sears home air compressor in SCFM. Those pumps carry their own supply of oil. The oiling system is very similar to the oiling system in the old Briggs and Stratton small vertical engines, a splash type system.
Yes, you can buy a compressor but, this method will give you versatility in mounting different components in various places so as to not take up a ton of room in one spot and, still get a seriously nice performing Air compressor. Just a thought here.
Scott
Geocritter wrote:
One of my issues is that my RV is also my home. Currently I have a storage space nearby, mainly for family keepsakes and for now, my extra tools. However when I hit the road in a month or two the storage space won't be so convenient, hence my desire to have tools with me that can git-r-done. BTW I purchased a torque multiplier and didn't have much luck with it. I talked to the Snap-on tool man about it (I didn't purchase it from him). He said that they're made more for tightening bolts and not for untightening. I just don't know what to believe. He also offered to loan me an air impact wrench, but like a fool I didn't take him up on it.
Steve
Geocritter,
The Torque Multiplier I was talking about is this one:
Torque Multiplier
It's primarily for lug nuts that are seriously tight. I suppose it could be used for other purposes but, it would be real awkward in may situations. The torque multiplier you may be talking about may look more like a ratchet head than anything I'm speaking of. Yes, mine is primarily a single purpose tool but, it does that purpose outstandingly well. I can sit on my a$$ and with one arm, break free all 10, 450 lb. lug nuts without "breaking" a sweat. But, again, it's primarily a single purpose tool.
Good luck on setting up Shop while in your travels. It would be nice to have all my tools while out on the road. But, I'm finding that more and more, I just want to relax while out there, I'll fix things when I get home.
Scott
Geocritter,
Well Sir, as has been stated, a 3/4" gun will deplete your "intended" little compressor almost instantly. I too have had the pleasure of having home air, a Sears 20 Gallon, two horse unit for the first 20 years and the one we have now, a 30 Gallon, 3 horse unit for about 19 years. This 3-horse unit is set for 150 psi cut out. It will handle a 3/4" gun, efficiently for about 10-15 seconds of full trigger pull. After then, it's no more power than a reasonable 1/2" gun.
Yes, you need MASSIVE volume and, at sustained psi. in order for full value of high torque tools to operate efficiently. I too like air tools and having the ability to use them if and when needed. But, in reality, just how much "big" work are you or I, planning on doing while out on the road? I too do all my own work and, it's very handy to have air tools giving assistance when and where needed but, a couple of things prohibit this.
1. Like what's been stated, you need high volume and high pressure for just about any of them to be of real value.
2. And, since the one you're thinking of is not anywhere near what you'd need one for, you'd need a seriously larger one to accommodate the drive needed for those tools, and you say you don't have the storage capacity for such a large unit.
3. Then, there's the tools themselves. There's lots of weight there and, volume of space needed for, whatever ones you plan on toating with you on your adventures.
Don't get me wrong here, I commend you for thinking that way. Being as prepared as one could be is always nice. I was thinking along the same lines when preparing for a "just in case" situation with my lug nuts, if ever the need arose for removal. 450 ft.lbs. of torque is fairly tough to deal with out on the road or, even at home most of the time. So, long story short, I was thinking of a 3/4" gun and large volume hose, adapters for small line to big line etc. etc. but, instead, I purchased a Torque Multiplier that is seriously strong enough to break those lug nuts loose, if ever needed.
So, just some info for you if it's of any value. Take care.
Scott
Well Sir, as has been stated, a 3/4" gun will deplete your "intended" little compressor almost instantly. I too have had the pleasure of having home air, a Sears 20 Gallon, two horse unit for the first 20 years and the one we have now, a 30 Gallon, 3 horse unit for about 19 years. This 3-horse unit is set for 150 psi cut out. It will handle a 3/4" gun, efficiently for about 10-15 seconds of full trigger pull. After then, it's no more power than a reasonable 1/2" gun.
Yes, you need MASSIVE volume and, at sustained psi. in order for full value of high torque tools to operate efficiently. I too like air tools and having the ability to use them if and when needed. But, in reality, just how much "big" work are you or I, planning on doing while out on the road? I too do all my own work and, it's very handy to have air tools giving assistance when and where needed but, a couple of things prohibit this.
1. Like what's been stated, you need high volume and high pressure for just about any of them to be of real value.
2. And, since the one you're thinking of is not anywhere near what you'd need one for, you'd need a seriously larger one to accommodate the drive needed for those tools, and you say you don't have the storage capacity for such a large unit.
3. Then, there's the tools themselves. There's lots of weight there and, volume of space needed for, whatever ones you plan on toating with you on your adventures.
Don't get me wrong here, I commend you for thinking that way. Being as prepared as one could be is always nice. I was thinking along the same lines when preparing for a "just in case" situation with my lug nuts, if ever the need arose for removal. 450 ft.lbs. of torque is fairly tough to deal with out on the road or, even at home most of the time. So, long story short, I was thinking of a 3/4" gun and large volume hose, adapters for small line to big line etc. etc. but, instead, I purchased a Torque Multiplier that is seriously strong enough to break those lug nuts loose, if ever needed.
So, just some info for you if it's of any value. Take care.
Scott
