My version of onboard air with mv-50

[anickode]

Quick little project tonight... built a 12v compressor setup using an MV50 compressor and the tank off a harbor freight 3 gallon compressor that was given to me because the fellow who had it didn't seem to understand CFM ratings and thought that 0.6 CFM would keep up with a roofing nailer. The compression fitting into the tank has a built in check valve, which is great and should help prolong the life of the Reed valves Because they won't be holding back 3 gallons of air all the time. Pressure switch is original to the tank, but relocated. It's an 85/100 psi switch. Not a ton of pressure but it keeps me well under the mv50's max of 120. 100# is plenty for airing tires and potentially future airbag helper springs, and the occasional air horn blast. The factory gauge on the MV50 is junky, but conveniently threaded for 1/8" NPT, so I came off there for the new air line, then tapped 1/4" NPT into the hole where the original quick connect was and screwed a plug in. Pressure switch is simply spliced between the switch and the 40A relay that's built into the MV50. I Also replaced the 30a fuse with a 30a 1 minute auto-reset circuit breaker. All in all, I can't complain. It fills up quickly, not too loud, and the tank was free.

 

[JamesW]

That is very cool! I've the equivalent of the MV90 and i'm looking into doing something similar for my truck.

 

[matthewp]

Very nice! I wouldn't mind trying something similar with my MV 50.

 

[Borrego60]

That should work, what does it weigh in at?

 

[Crom]

Very clever!

 

[Expedition.Report]

Looks great!

 

[anickode]

Well, I've had it in my truck for a little over a week and have already used it several times. I ended up removing the middle shelf in the rearmost section of the passenger side toolbox in my truck cap, and it's an absolute perfect fit. I got a 25 foot 1/4" polyurethane air hose to use with it. I chose the 1/4" polyurethane because it remains very flexible at all temperatures, it's extremely lightweight, and it will roll up to a very small diameter without kinking or developing memory. It's much more convenient than a coiled hose because I don't have to stretch the thing out to get the full length, but it's Also not heavy and cumbersome and prone to kinking the way other types of hoses are. Way better for reaching the tires on the other side of the vehicle.

I will say, it's VERY convenient having that 3 gallon tank on there. It holds pressure really well with no leakdown, so it makes topping off a low tire totally quick and painless.

 

[anickode]

The compressor is still going strong and working great. When it's below zero out, it runs a bit noisy till it warms up, but no issues. I've used it a LOT. Had a leaky TPM sensor, so I had to add about 6psi per day all last fall till I replaced the sensor when I got new tires.

I never did end up putting in air bags... just went with 1/2 ton springs instead, but it still sees plenty of use airing back up and filling flats on other peoples cars.

 

[AaronK]

I have one of those HF compressors that I only use for trail tire inflation duty via an inverter. I may have to go this route with it...

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