adding stuff to air brakes?

RufusTheRam

New Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Raleigh
i have two large tanks and a healthy compressor for the air brakes on my bus. i'm curious if it's safe/acceptable to add a manifold and tap into them for things such as air horns, powering air tools, airing up tires, etc.? the air horns i'm not sure about since that's something that would be used while driving, but using them to power air tools would always be while parked.

if it's not safe to use the existing tanks, what about having a third tank dedicated to other uses that's filled by the existing compressor?

if it matters, the tanks stay at a pretty consistent 120psi, only dropping some if the brakes are pumped alot. the compressor recovers any lost air very quickly.
 
We had to watch how long we laid on the horns on the fire truck for that very reason.. I remember the driver yelling at me to let off the horn because the brakes were starting to apply.. :lol: (It was during a call at 6pm)

I think you'll be fine. I can blast my train horns for a good 5 seconds with my small 5 gallon tank before the pressures would get to ~60psi..

Worst case, your brakes come on.
 
I'd add a shutoff valve at the tap you use on the existing tanks going to all the added items. That way if you have a problem with the accessories, you can shut them off to save air for the brakes. My Mog had a factory compressed air quick connect tied into the brake system along with the air lockers.
 
I wouldn't put much time working up a system to use your air supply. A lot depends on the compressor size. At most i'd put a fitting on for emergency use only. You really don't want to over tax your pump. Obviously without it you don't move..

Also what ever you do make sure its good a tight with no leaks.. Put a ball valve on any quick connect fittings.. I know there are leak down parameters, but why cut into your safety margin leak anymore than you need to..
 
The big rig air horns use the supply from the air brake compressor, at least the ones I have seen. Again, a cut off in case something was to malfunction. Also lot's of truckers use the trailer brake connection(glad hands) for an air supply just as you have mentioned.
I would say you should be fine, as you do have a guage on the dash to monitor your PSI
 
BigBody79 said:
you should be fine with an air horn. most of the time your stopped when you use the horn anyways.
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90% of the time, I'm driving, actually.
 
thanks for the replys. i didn't realize big trucks use their brakes for things, makes sense though. sounds like i should be okay if i decide to do it.
 
Yeah, that compressor provides air for just about everything on the truck. Air bags for the suspension (incl. tag axles), air for the driver's seat, the windshield wipers, the starter, the horns, doors on buses, it's all running off that compressor. They're plenty burly, and high displacement, too.
 
saf-t scissors said:
Yeah, that compressor provides air for just about everything on the truck. Air bags for the suspension (incl. tag axles), air for the driver's seat, the windshield wipers, the starter, the horns, doors on buses, it's all running off that compressor. They're plenty burly, and high displacement, too.
Click to expand...


And most on trucks are 100% duty friendly, I have ran 2 weeks 10,000miles with a comp running all the time, no problem
 
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