Onboard Air Systems (Updated w/ Pics)

[adamis]

My truck has two air compressors already, one for the airbags and the other for the Banks exhaust brakes. These work fine but I can't use them for airing up tires because they are two small for this function.

With my trip to Pismo Beach and airing down my tires to drive on the sand to get to a campsite, I have relied either using my pancake compressor or using a local fill-up station both which take over an hour to fill up (ten tires, truck plus trailer to 80 psi).

I've been looking into a much larger onboard air system, first looking at the ARB systems and other similar solutions. Eventually I stumbled upon the Extremeair Magnum system. I was quite impressed and after about a year of contemplating, finally pulled the trigger. The specs are:

Specs:
-1.5 HP Motor
-82 amps draw @ 100 psi
-Continuous Duty Rating @ 150 psi, 200 psi max pressure
-6 CFM @ 0 psi
-2.6 CFM @ 100 psi”
-Weight: 20 lbs.
-Dimensions: 16? long x 6? wide x 9.5? tall

I'm pretty happy with the specs and look forward to installing it on my truck this weekend. I won't remove the other two compressors immediately until I'm comfortable with how this system works. Eventually though, I want to tie everything into my new air system (I will have a four gallon air tank in my install).

Does anyone else have an onboard air system and what are your thoughts?

[Grit_dog]

burningman wrote:
Yeah right, run a compressor from your inverter.
A paralleled pair of Honda EU2000s won’t start my pancake compressor when the tank is above around 50 psi, you have to dump the air to get it to even start.
Sure it’s possible but I doubt anyone really has a battery and inverter setup that will handle an air compressor, and run it long enough to air up a set of truck tires.

This doesn’t seem right, 4kw generator can’t start a compressor, but idk. I did use a Honda 2k to run a larger compressor. Seemed to work.
But yeah, if the OP needs more air than that , it’s serious money spending time. Buying truck parts is fun!

[jimh406]

burningman wrote:
A paralleled pair of Honda EU2000s won’t start my pancake compressor when the tank is above around 50 psi, you have to dump the air to get it to even start.

What’s wrong with your Hondas? You surely aren’t saying one small pancake compressor draws more power than a AC.

[Kayteg1]

I have 120V compressor who will run of 450 wats factory inverter mounted in my F350, but it is slow.
I like it however as being oil less and slow, I am not getting polluted air.
What HP is your pancake compressor?
I see 1.5HP compressor on $99 sale HERE
Seeing it 150 psi rated, you should have enough air in the tank to inflate 1 tire on instant.
By the time you move to other tire, the compressor should be able to build the pressure.
When starting such compressor will require good inverter, the trick is not to restart it at high pressure.
Meaning once it runs, you have to be quick going between the wheels so the compressor motor never stops.
I had the same situation with 12V compressor, who would blow the fuses when restarted at 90 psi.

[burningman]

Yeah right, run a compressor from your inverter.
A paralleled pair of Honda EU2000s won’t start my pancake compressor when the tank is above around 50 psi, you have to dump the air to get it to even start.
Sure it’s possible but I doubt anyone really has a battery and inverter setup that will handle an air compressor, and run it long enough to air up a set of truck tires.

[adamis]

Kayteg1 wrote:
All those 12V systems are costly and not efficient.
Since most likely you already have inverter in TC, all you need is cheap 120V compressor.
With beefed up inverting system you can get 2 HP compressor who will inflate tires in no time.
I just read that CA, starting this summer is checking vehicle software to pass the smog test. That should keep some diesel owners in the state busy this season?

In my post I mentioned that I've used my pancake compressor on the genset and it is not up for the job. It can take close to an hour and it is constantly running and it's getting hot meaning I'm wearing it out prematurely. Not to mentioned I'm running the generator using a lot of propane and it's running hot as well.

Not sure what two horsepower air compressor you are hauling around that could inflate as quick as this onboard air system but it can't be compact or easy to store or haul so what exactly are you gaining? Saving a few dollars perhaps but I don't have a problem with the cost and if I look at the wear and tear on my pancake compressor, the time it takes to fill the tires, the time to run the genset, the propane burned to run it and the wear on the genset, I think I'm coming out in the long run by a mile.

[Kayteg1]

All those 12V systems are costly and not efficient.
Since most likely you already have inverter in TC, all you need is cheap 120V compressor.
With beefed up inverting system you can get 2 HP compressor who will inflate tires in no time.
I just read that CA, starting this summer is checking vehicle software to pass the smog test. That should keep some diesel owners in the state busy this season?

[adamis]

toddb wrote:
Have you looked into a co2 system?

I've not seriously looked into it. I know a lot of rock crawler guys like it because it works fast and is reasonably compact. For my case though, I need something I don't have to worry about getting refilled and works with the flip of a switch. It will also be useful for other functions on the truck (airbags, exhaust brake, etc...). Co2 is great for some applications but I don't think my needs match. Thank you for the suggestion though.

[toddb]

Have you looked into a co2 system?

[burningman]

On my last truck I used one of the old Ford piston style air conditioning compressors, belt driven off the engine of course.
That thing made air like mad. And it cost me nothing but some time setting it up and some fittings and such.

[BarryG20]

I am using an extremeair unit myself. It has been awesome so far and if it crapped out tomorrow I would not be upset. It has been underneath a truck for close to 20 years. And I do mean underneath the truck. On both trucks it sat /sits behind the cab underneath the bed on the pass side tucked up as high as possible between the frame rail and the bed side. I did fab up some protection panels for it out of some scrap aluminum diamond plate I had laying around. I originally put it on my 01 Ram then moved it over to my 17 Ram when I got a new truck. When I purchased it the Magnum was not out yet otherwise I would have bought that one. On my 01 I had quick connects on them front and rear of truck. On my 17 I just did one to the rear so I could easily inflate the trailer tires and the hose that does that will easily reach the front truck tires as well. Every once in a while I have to change the quick connect out for a new as they start to corrode and dont work so well.

I ran hose inside the frame rail where possible and any place it went through a hole or was rubbing on something I would zip tie some heater hose around it. I have yet to have a hose break/split whatever. Make sure and run heavy enough gauge wire to the comp for power and ground.

[jimh406]

I just use a Viair portable, but then I don’t air down my 19.5s. If I was going to install one, I’d go with a Viair.

In any case, let us know how it works for you.

[mellow]

Interesting, I do a lot of camping on the beach and this has been my biggest pain point with owning a dually, airing back up. I have been eyeing the crossfire system for a couple years now since you can set that up to air up/down both tires from the outside tire, but still have to rely on an outside air pump.

I will watch your install with interest on how you rig it up to air up the tires and how it does. That pump is not cheap.