How to set up 2 gal air tank for OBA?

[DaveM]

I have a 2 gallon 150 PSI Firestone air tank, used previously to repair a standard compressor with leaky tank. I want to use this on my 2003 Tacoma as part of an OBA system but need help figuring out the setup.

I've looked at some of the Viair compressors but can't figure out which one will suit my needs. I have 33" BFGs. I rarely air down but when I do I'd like to be able to air back up at the end of the trail. I don't need this to be super fast, just tolerable. I'll mostly use the set up around camp and at home as a regular light duty compressor. Money is tight so I need to keep the over all cost down, especially on the compressor. Any recommendations?

Dave

 

[ntsqd]

I would suggest using "Instant Fittings" and poly tubing from mcmaster.com Not the least expensive possible option, but very easy to work with and to reconfigure as needs/desires change. Just watch the temperature ratings. You're going to want ~100*f at the tank and 250*f+ at the compressor.

For my York system I used Aeroquip FC332 for the first couple of feet out from the compressor.

 

[1leglance]

I really like my Extreme Outback setup and I know they sell the bits seperate so you could contact them for what you need and any questions.

Mine sits on top of the rear of the roof rack and it works great regardless of dust, snow, rain or anything else.
Most folks mount theirs under the rig but I wanted mine up where I could show it for teaching purposes. I did plumb a quick disconnect hose fitting under the rear seat.
The hose from the compressor to the tank goes to the center bottom of the tank with a drain plug to get moisture get out if I am in a humid area (not often in arizona).
Then I added a quick disconnect to the tank and a line going to the rear seat disconnect.
Easy as can be.

 

[proto]

Many of the smaller Viair compressors have wimpy duty-cycles: like three or four minutes off for every minute of run time (to keep from overheating).
You need to get into the 300-series or larger to get a continuous-duty rating.

You didn't sound too concerned about speed, but from my experience as an observer: a midsize continuous Viair (model 325? 330?) can air up a set of 33s (say from 15 psi to 30 psi) in about 15 minutes. The smaller Viairs take about forever. I guess it would be faster if you start with a filled tank.

I did see one guy with some kind of dual Viair 450 rig air up eight 35" tires in 5 minutes. :REExeSquatsHL1:

 

[Loober]

I have a tacoma with OBA and 2.5gal vivair tank mounted under bed right above the axle, where a stock spare still has room to be mounted. I use an ARB compressor the heavy duty one, mounted inside the engine bay on the passanger side fender. I run 285 tires, first tire airs up from 15 to 30psi in under 2 mins, all four id say take about 12-15 mins. Some say ARB compressors are not ideal for OBA but mine has been great even though it has a 50% duty cycle. I have aired up my tires and friends all at once with no problems yet.

I wanted the ARB compressor b/c i plan on getting an ARB front locker later and the wiring is all there ready to go.

Thats one thing to consider if you plan on doing it right with pressure switch, the wiring can be a lot of work, the arb compressor came with all wiring, switches, fuses, with plugs for locker actuators, it was basically plug and play.

My whole setup with tank, compressor, fittings, air lines, quick disconnects ran me about 500, the fittings are expensive and you are going to need a lot of them when all said and done.

 

[off-roader]

I have a 2 gallon 150 PSI Firestone air tank, used previously to repair a standard compressor with leaky tank. I want to use this on my 2003 Tacoma as part of an OBA system but need help figuring out the setup.

I've looked at some of the Viair compressors but can't figure out which one will suit my needs. I have 33" BFGs. I rarely air down but when I do I'd like to be able to air back up at the end of the trail. I don't need this to be super fast, just tolerable. I'll mostly use the set up around camp and at home as a regular light duty compressor. Money is tight so I need to keep the over all cost down, especially on the compressor. Any recommendations?

Dave

Dave a couple of things stick out to me in your question...
1) Limited usage
2) Limited funds

If so, I'd consider the $70 'Red' Masterflow compressor from Costco or Pepboys to use in conjunction with that tank. I believe the manufacturer / model details are...
Q Industries MF-1052 MasterFlow Q-Maxx Hi Volume Air Compressor runs on 12v and is rated at 72 lpm or 2.54CFM. No mention is made in terms of the duty cycle but I would expect it's no more than 10 minutes at full pull.

That said, I've easily aired up my 33's and 35's (13-26psi) w/out havint it thermally shut itself off (there is a thermal cuttoff system)

Here's a pic of that compressor...

I used the bag it came in while others have permanently mounted it in their rigs or within an ammo box.

HTH.

 

[ntsqd]

Search "MV-50" or "MV-1050", those are great compressors, though the days of buying them from Kragen Auto Parts for $25 each are long gone. I have 2 of them and have never had one thermally shut off. One did puke it's relay wiring (under the switch cover), but some crimp connectors later and it was running again.

 

[DaveM]

are the MV compressors really up to running an on-board tank? Would that combo, MV 1050 and 2 gal air tank, work to refill my 33s from say 15psi back to 30psi in a reasonable amount of time? Reasonable being less than a half hour.

I have a wired outlet in the back of the truck running off a switch in the cab. What else do I need? Pressure gauge (don't need one in the cab), pressure relief valve (145psi), pressure relay switch (what setting?). I have a hose with quick connects. Is that it?

 

[RHINO]

dave a 2 gallon air tank is not going to make a measurable diff in time inflating all 4 tires, it is a good thing to install cause a burst of air under pressure is so usefull, like blowing dust from the cab after a run. and really since you own the tank you can plumb it in for well under $20

you will need 2 barb fittings, a "T" fitting, 2 close nipples and a cheap 50ft air hose (usually $10 and home depot).

the T will fit like a spacer between the comp and supplied air hose or quick disco whatever style it is, the second port you have now from the T just runs to the tank with the two barbs and cheapo air hose, done and later when you have the funds you can redo it, but my cheapo air hose has been riding along the frame for 6 yrs now and doing fine.

now if you want it to come on and off by itself based on pressure you need a pressure switch, that you can order from many places and it'll be about $30 or so, the relief valve, or blow off valve is available at home depot also, get it in the compressor parts bins in hardware, but get your barbs and T at the hardware section cause they'll about half the price as the compressor parts section.

 

[michaelgroves]

See this recent thread for a discussion of tank size/usefulness.

For plumbing, my own preference is to plumb the compressor and the tank to a manifold with a few spare ports. One of the ports can have a quick-release connector for tyre inflation etc.. Another can have a standard schrader-type valve, so you can pressurise the system from another air source. And a couple of blanked off ports give you the option of easily and neatly adding other things later. (Pressurised water tanks, perhaps, or air bags, air horn, air lockers etc.)

 

[spencyg]

I'm running a Viair 460C compressor and a 5 gal air tank on my setup. The 460C is 100% duty cycle, and I think I got it off ebay used for under $150. For actually setting up the compressor and the tank, you'll run a line from the compressor output to a port on the tank. The tank should be outfitted with at least 2 ports, one for input, one for output. The output port needs a manifold in which you'll attach an air pressure switch (on at 90-off at 130 or something to that effect), a pressure gauge, and either a nipple and hose combo running to a remote location, or a quick disconnect for running a hose right at the compressor. I'd recommend burying the tank under the frame somewhere to get it out of the way. With a Viair compressor, you can also run that low on the frame as they are waterproof. Just make sure you run the air intake up high with a section of hose and a filter to avoid sucking water into your pump.

OBA is awesome....good luck.

Spence

 

[RHINO]

The tank should be outfitted with at least 2 ports, one for input, one for output.

Spence

wondering why you think this is better. i opted for a single hose to my tank for simplicity.

 

[spencyg]

Depends on how much flow you are expecting to get out of it I suppose...a single 1/4" NPT port acting through a T fitting would be more like a accumulator you see on a domestic hot water heating system. I suppose for just filling tires it would function just fine. I like having an input port, output port, and then a safety blow-off valve port on the bottom of the tank along with a seperate condensation drain. Thats just me though....for a quick and dirty system, what you describe would work.

Spence

 

[RHINO]

i see your point, on my tank i have 3 ports, one is the patented dual action hose the other is a blow off pressure valve and the 3rd (bottom) is a drain valve, the spring loaded kind that came with the tank.
i been running this system with a belt drive york for about 6-7 yrs i have used it for airing tires of course, blowing out the truck of dust, air impact, seat a bead a few times. i have been wanting an air port on the back of the rig and i;ll run it right off the tank,,, maybe when i do that i'll notice a difference and prefer it.

 

[double moo]

I have a line from my ARB compressor to my lockers, and a second line to the 2 gallon tank. The from the tank back to a quick coupler fitting under the hood for the hose to refill the tires. I added a valve under the hood on the line from the compressor to tank so that i could isolate the two and charge the lockers without the 90 seconds to fill the tank... also if I was to damage the tank or hoses I could still actuate the lockers by just valving off the tank.

For a quick fill of the tank from my large air compressor at home I just carry a chuck to fit in the quick coupler under the hood. 8 to 10 seconds to fill the tank and I'm off!

The tank won't air back up more than one tire... but it does allow you to keep compressing air while you check the pressure of the tire, while moving the hose to the next tire, etc... All in all it helps a little but not as much as I expected. Figuring 5 minutes a tire It will take 8 to 10 minutes off of your air up time.

Good luck with your project!

Moo