Another OBA Question

[barlowrs]

Hey Everyone, quick question, for those with hard mounted OBA systems:

Do you leave the system powered all the time and rely on the pressure switch and the tanks ability to maintain pressure (sealed) to keep the compressor from turning on all the time.

Or do you only switch it on (power the system) only when you need it (assuming tank is sealed, it shouldn't have to fill the tank every time right?)

Thanks

 

[Chazz Layne]

Switched on only when needed. I do switch it on before we reach the air-up spot that way the tank is ready to go when we stop.

Most tanks come with warnings to -not- leave them pressurized all the time... something to do with condensation, rust, and weakening the tank walls. That said, I know several folks that run with them pressurized all the time with no problems.

 

[Brian1]

Switched on only when needed. I do switch it on before we reach the air-up spot that way the tank is ready to go when we stop.

Same here. In addition, my switch is wired so that it is only powered when the vehicle ignition is on. I plan to change that soon once I get my dual battery in.

 

[Count Fred]

Only on when needed. I've got a small leak in my tank, so it would be coming on every 6 hours or so otherwise.

Even if I get that fixed (I can't weld airtight apparently), I think I would only switch it on as needed. No reason to keep things pumped up. Compressor fills the tank in less than a minute anyway.

Cheers,
JFS III

 

[jdholder]

On my Excursion, the compressor was powered on all the time, with the power being keyed to ignition. I left it that way for the 5 years I owned the vehicle.

 

[Patman]

Switched power to the switch, and only on when needed.

 

[tdesanto]

Only when needed.

 

[off-roader]

Hey Everyone, quick question, for those with hard mounted OBA systems:

Do you leave the system powered all the time and rely on the pressure switch and the tanks ability to maintain pressure (sealed) to keep the compressor from turning on all the time.

Or do you only switch it on (power the system) only when you need it (assuming tank is sealed, it shouldn't have to fill the tank every time right?)

Thanks

With my old ARB locker and compressor both. The compressor was switched and would run until the pressure switch switched it off. It's better this way especially if you have a leak crop up so you can easily switch it off until you can fix it.

 

[timber]

I flip on the switch before airing down and generally leave it on the rest of the trip. The rest of the time it stays off unless I need air for something.

 

[WESBC]

With my old ARB locker and compressor both. The compressor was switched and would run until the pressure switch switched it off. It's better this way especially if you have a leak crop up so you can easily switch it off until you can fix it.

Ditto, I think this the best set up. Having the having the pressure switch inline with a separate switch. That way the pressure switch does its job from not letting the tank pressure get too high. And the separate "master switch" that I can flip on/off. That way if the air pressure of the tank is too low, I have the ability to prevent the pressure switch from kicking in automatically (good for when my car is sitting overnight and leaks a little).

The compressor is wired so that it is constant "hot" and I don't need to turn on the car. To prevent the compressor from draining my only battery, I installed a PriorityStart! which prevents the battery from draining below 12v. It's good when I forget to switch off the master switch and let the system sit in the cold overnight, causing a leak.