small compressor for Trailair Triglade pinbox

[sdetweil]

to adjust the air in the triglide pinbox, I need to climb up into the bed.. sometimes less air is better on a particular section of road, sometimes more. not really functional to stop, get out the ladder, climb into the bed and fill/drain the aircushion.

I want to add a small remote controlled compressor to handle this.

trying to decide where to put it.

the airlift airbag compressor is very small, 5.5" x 5.25" x 2.5" inches tall, and pumps to 130psi.(I have this compressor on my truck for rear airbags)


need a couple air valves (fill and drain)
so maybe 8x6.. I think if I mount that to a thin aluminum plate I can place it inside the pinbox body. get power from the junction box right there too.

got to thinking about our hot summers in texas, and baking the compressor inside the hot pinbox when not connected.

as the compressor will be connected to the airbag via plastic hose, I could make a longer run and put the compressor and valves in the front bay, power off the battery, even add a switch.

how hard is it to snake something to the pinbox area from the front bay?

[sdetweil]

christopherglenn wrote:
I loosened the screws holding the skin on, gently pried it down 1/4 inch, and fed a wire fish under the skin. There is insulation between the skin and floor along with frame parts. Once I had the gap for the airline, I pushed it in from the generator compartment to the pinbox, then routed the excess across the generator compartment and to the side compartment. The compressor and tank along with valves are in the side compartment under the batteries.

thanks!.. that was a LOT easier than I had expected.. the rafters run front/back, so like you said, I only had to get the fish tape to the pinbox.. took all of 2 minutes

now I have to get a couple screws to mount the valves to a plate so I can mount it to the chassis.. then wire it back up.. (and check for leaks.)

I have to remember, this compressor has a low duty cycle (only 15%)

[christopherglen]

I loosened the screws holding the skin on, gently pried it down 1/4 inch, and fed a wire fish under the skin. There is insulation between the skin and floor along with frame parts. Once I had the gap for the airline, I pushed it in from the generator compartment to the pinbox, then routed the excess across the generator compartment and to the side compartment. The compressor and tank along with valves are in the side compartment under the batteries.

[sdetweil]

christopherglenn wrote:
I ran truck airbrake tubing from the pinbox to the side storage compartment. I have a Viair with a 0.5 gallon tank there. And manual valves to fill and dump the pinbox. The Viair is on a 140 psi pressure switch, and has an air fitting for extension airlines / tools. I use it to fill tires as well.
I replaces the Schrader valve on the airbag with a Tee fitting, put the factory Schrader on the front (as a manual fill if the compressor dies) and the airbrake line off the rear.

did you run the air line under the skin from the pinbox, or on top?
I have plenty of air line, so I could put the compressor in the front compartment too. I'd like the airline under the skin..

[christopherglen]

I ran truck airbrake tubing from the pinbox to the side storage compartment. I have a Viair with a 0.5 gallon tank there. And manual valves to fill and dump the pinbox. The Viair is on a 140 psi pressure switch, and has an air fitting for extension airlines / tools. I use it to fill tires as well.
I replaces the Schrader valve on the airbag with a Tee fitting, put the factory Schrader on the front (as a manual fill if the compressor dies) and the airbrake line off the rear.

[sdetweil]

Boxer Lovers wrote:
How much p.s.I. can it produce? My Triglide needs up to 95 p.s.I. to come to level. I have to use a 150 p.s.i. pancake compressor to inflate. Small compressor will allow pressure to escape the air bag.

the compressor supports 100psi.. and that is the max on the triglide too.

the valve will maintain the pressure, not the compressor,
altho the compressor also has a check valve, so air is one way.

I also have onboard air tank on my truck, run hose from there normally when I climb in the bed to adjust the hitch.

[Boxer_Lovers]

How much p.s.I. can it produce? My Triglide needs up to 95 p.s.I. to come to level. I have to use a 150 p.s.i. pancake compressor to inflate. Small compressor will allow pressure to escape the air bag.

[sdetweil]

thanks. I use the Wireless One kit on my dually,


which is what gave me the idea.

they have a controller that you have to wire up. it just happens to have the valves inside.

I have the valves already from another project, and I bought a wireless 2 channel momentary relay driven control unit..


the only functional difference between the two is that mine won't maintain the pressure as a constant. So, as long as I don't have any big leak, I should be ok.

compressor ------> fill valve/vent valve ------> airbag
the leak risk point is the airline from the valve to the airbag.
I could make that sold pipe, but the valves would have to be up in the open.(aka ugly)

when I press button A on the remote, power up the compressor and fill valve to add air.
when I press button B on the remote, power up the vent valve to release air. I will put a dump speed control on this valve to control the exhaust speed, to keep from exhausting all the air at once. I have a similar valve setup on my custom truck airbags.(1955 F100, 460, custom candy paint)

I will use the relays on the controller to switch ground to the units.
and tie fused power together. need to decide on a switch here.. only the control unit would be on all the time without the switch. (max compressor draw is 9amps), there are a bunch of other 12v systems always on in the FW too.(If I could power it ONLY from the truck side harness, then it would only be on when the truck was attached. need a big diode here to make the power one way.).

I am leaving the schrader valve on the setup as well, in case of electronics failure.

the compressor cost $44 from Jegs, the valves were $10 each, and the wireless controller also $10. the brass fittings cost $20 at Lowes. so I will be less than $100.vs the $320 for the WirelessOne.

[campinghut]

I did not know you could by it seperatly, so I stand corrected thanks.

As for me I would go with the complete kit as you suggested.

[96Bounder30E]

How can we be sure?.......his system may use the same compressor.....but he doesn't specify what he's going to use for controls......he did mention valves and a switch......neither one is needed with the WirelessONE system...


http://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/16060/

[campinghut]

I think that is what he is putting on

[96Bounder30E]

I know you already received your compressor........but I want to show you a pretty cool alternative to a compressor with switches and valves....

I purchased the Airlift WirelessONE system for the airbags on my truck....it features a wireless remote control that allows you to fill or dump air as you are going down the road......in essence.....no valves or switches required.....you make all of your air system adjustments from the cab of your truck.....plus the digital readout tells you exactly how many LBS you have in the system.....



WirelessONE by Airlift

[campinghut]

Looks like a great idea to me.

[sdetweil]

the compressor came today, and the docs says its heat range is -40 to 158 degrees (F). I was able to put it up on the lower plate easily (well, have to clear that birds nest!). so that is where I will put it.