Onboard Air - Keep Compressor On and Tank Full?

[txfactor76]

I have a Viair 450CIG compressor and a 2.5gal tank. It's used for ARB lockers and an auxiliary output for airing up tires (or using air tools for about 3 seconds). Currently I only turn it on when I need it. Is there any reason to not keep it always full? Safety/reliability/other?

My setup has a 110/150psi auto shutoff (refills to 150psi once it gets down to 110psi). It also can only be turned on when the key is turned to either ACC or ON. There is no chance of the compressor running down the battery. The ARBs are run off their own manifold which is regulated to 100psi.

So, just leave it on?

It would be nice to have use of my ARBs 24/7/365.

 

[Martyn]

I have a Viair 450CIG compressor and a 2.5gal tank. It's used for ARB lockers and an auxiliary output for airing up tires (or using air tools for about 3 seconds). Currently I only turn it on when I need it. Is there any reason to not keep it always full? Safety/reliability/other?

My setup has a 110/150psi auto shutoff (refills to 150psi once it gets down to 110psi). It also can only be turned on when the key is turned to either ACC or ON. There is no chance of the compressor running down the battery. The ARBs are run off their own manifold which is regulated to 100psi.

So, just leave it on?

It would be nice to have use of my ARBs 24/7/365.

The only issue with leaving a compressor on is if you get an air leak and the pressure switch activates the compressor. If you do that enough you will discharge the battery. In your case the power is controlled by the ignition switch, in theory you shouldn't have a problem. Just make sure you have a fuse or breaker between the battery and the compressor.

 

[verdesardog]

I have the viair 200psi set up with a 2.5 gal tank. I leave the compressor on because it is needed for the exhaust brake.

 

[Wh1t3nukle]

I'd suggest on turning on when needed. Definitely leave it on if it's used for air suspension, brakes, etc. type functions.

 

[ripperj]

Unless you depressurize the tank every time you walk away from the truck, I don't see what hazard is being reduced by turning it off(from the sounds of things it's already off and you are just turning the switch off so it can't start the next time you turn the key )
Does the tank remain pressurized over days and weeks, or does it bleed off?

 

[bfdiesel]

Moot point. Leave it on if you want, you already have it keyed so it wont drain the battery.

 

[txfactor76]

Thanks for all the replies. I forgot that lots of vehicles run air brakes or air suspension, so I guess it really is a moot point. The tank does bleed off but it takes a week or so to get down to 100psi. I'll just set it and forget it.

 

[txfactor76]

Just make sure you have a fuse or breaker between the battery and the compressor.

Yep. The switch controls a fused relay.

 

[DaveNay]

One down side to leaving an air compressor turned on is water accumulation. All air systems leak which leads to the compressor cycling on and off all the time. Every time air is compressed into the tank, water vapor is squeezed out of the air. This water accumulates inside the tank and can cause corrosion. I have seen air compressor tanks rust through from the inside due to this condensation.

 

[G_fresh]

Every time air is compressed into the tank, water vapor is squeezed out of the air. This water accumulates inside the tank and can cause corrosion. I have seen air compressor tanks rust through from the inside due to this condensation.

Most tanks allow you to drain this water, right? I've never got a definitive answer to this, but... Won't draining it every so often minimize rust-through to an acceptable time frame? Let's say 30 years? Or, will the residual moisture that cannot be drained still rust-through in the same amount of time as just leaving the water in there?

Curious minds...

 

[DaveNay]

Most tanks allow you to drain this water, right? I've never got a definitive answer to this, but... Won't draining it every so often minimize rust-through to an acceptable time frame? Let's say 30 years? Or, will the residual moisture that cannot be drained still rust-through in the same amount of time as just leaving the water in there?

Curious minds...

Most tanks I have seen allow for this water to be drained. But how often this is done is the question. Which is more inconvenient...turning the compressor on when needed or remembering to periodically drain the tank? If the tank is inside the vehicle, the drain is going to spit water on the interior. If the tank is mounted under the vehicle, are you realistically going to reach under there to find a valve that is all gunked up with road grime?

I have seen tanks with visible corrosion in the 5 year range of continuous use. It depends on the quality of the tank. Cheap Chinese imports are obviously the worst.

 

[Chazz Layne]

Per Viair, I leave mine off with the tank depressurized (and the valve open) until needed.