Panel mounting QD Air fittings, gauge and regulator?

jeegro

Adventurer
I picked up a Viair dual 400C 2 gallon OBA system. I want to make a metal panel to mount the regulator, gauge, and QD fitting and stick it on the rear outside quarter panel. I think I am missing something basic here.

Regulator - http://www.viaircorp.com/air-accessories/pressure-regulator/
I can figure this one out, I just removed the angled bracket so its now ready to put into the new panel.

Gauge - Does the gauge above work? I was thinking to use some BSP fittings, air line, and compression fitting to mount the gauge remotely from the regulator. But this gauge doesn't have a mounting option - only the air line fitting. Do I need something like this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EVQIGO6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

QD fitting - Can I use a regular male threaded QD fitting? How does this work exactly? How does it lock tight to the panel? Or do I need a bulkhead adapter, like here: https://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-metal-through-wall-couplings/=18ew9th

Thanks for the tips. I will probably mount the 6 port billet on the rear of the proposed panel (hidden). http://www.viaircorp.com/air-accessories/manifold/
 
Take a trip to Northern Tools in your area!! Walk the pneumatics isles. You will find everything you need. BSP is British pipe threads. You want NPT if you want to find everything easily.

Those bulkhead fittings would be great for mounting male QD fittings. I would recommend no smaller than 3/8 NPT and at least 1/2 NPT if you plan on running air tools. I am going to use these so I can run a drop at each corner of the vehicle. Makes for quick airing up all 4 tires at one time. Just need to verify that the panel gauge is accurate enough to do this.

Gauges: I like the dual needle type. One needle shows tank pressure while the other needle shows regulator out pressure.
http://www.viaircorp.com/air-gauges/in-dash-gauges/2-0-dual-needle-gauge/

Understand not all QDs are the same. There are some that are not universal and require a certain male to work. If you get everything in one place verify what you are getting. While you are at it find the dust caps with a
retaining strap the cover the female. It will help keep all the road and trail muck out of them.
 

jeegro

Adventurer
Thanks for the info. No northern tools around here.

Is 3/8 or 1/2 really important? The only air tools I might use are an AirLift coolant bleeder (~30psi), and a grease gun. Mostly for airing tires, maybe an air horn. Not sure what else I'd need. I prefer 18v for cordless tools.

All the parts I received are for 1/4", so if I wanted to run larger I'd need to use a bunch of reducers or buy new equipment (manifold, regulator, etc) not ideal.

Have any product or brand recommendations for fittings and air line?

I'm also worried about mounting the tank about 18" higher than the compressors. Viair said I should get a water trap: https://www.avsontheweb.com/water-traps-1/
 
You can go with 1/4" if you only want to air up tires. I would at least use a 1/2" from tank to manifold. Yes you need a water separator or trap. Hot air contains water so you need to get some distance usually 18-24 inches is enough from the compressor the farther the better, lowest point in the system since your tank is higher than compressor.

I have been using push connect quick fittings for years. I like the brass ones because I don't have to worry about the nickel ones looking ugly after years of off road use. The nylon tubing makes for easy plumbing. Tip if using the nylon tubing and push connect fittings, is to make sure the end of the tubing is cut square and the tubing is not crushed.
 
Yes it does have a drain valve. It does have a small schrader valve mounted in the plastic cup. I can't say for sure if those are any good or not. I would advise that whatever position you mount them that the schrader valve should be mounted so it is on the bottom.
 

jeegro

Adventurer
I think I will go for something like this instead and mount it on the C-pillar: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-AF2000-...825955?hash=item1ea8f7b923:g:UIgAAOSwoBtW6rzh
That way the drain points down.

For fittings, mcmaster looks like a good bet: https://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/123/212/=18fxinb
Bulkhead push to connect (to get from cab to under truck to manifold): https://www.mcmaster.com/#51495k256/=18fxiuo
Then I'd use another bulkhead fitting from manifold-regulator-outer access panel

I will post a diagram soon once I've mapped it all out.
 

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