On board air

CasterTroy said:
I haven't ruled out a hard mount compressor. Another option I thought about was the PUMA a few folks here linked from pirate. I guess it would occupy about the same real estate. I just hate yet ANOTHER battery draw.
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It's an intermittent battery draw though.. It's a battery, and its getting charged by the alternator, so all that matters is average current draw versus time. As long as the compressor isn't running continuously, what's the problem?
 
I'm a cheap bastard. But I run the 12v 150 psi harbor freight compressor to a 5 gallon steel airpig with a quick disconnect 25 foot coiled hose. My beadlocks leak constantly, so my budget set up gets a pretty good workout. Likely not the bling solution you're looking for but my tires haven't complained. About 100$ invested.

Compressor in the toolbox hard wired to battery, steel tank next to fuel cell.
 
ProbablyBroke said:
I'm a cheap bastard. ..... Likely not the bling solution you're looking for but my tires haven't complained.
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I'm right there with you....even looking at a Northern tool solution!! shoot, it's the highest CFM I've seen so far (3.71 CFM @ 90 PSI) but also highest amp at 45
 
For that price I would put together a co2 system with the polyperformance regulator. Source a tank from Craigslist, and a decent co2 compatible hose. That's what I wish I had done.
 
I went with the puma. I made a removable mount for the xj and it's usable on any and all vehicles and trailers.
 
Hell, I have a CO2 tank I'd let go cheap if you decide to go that route. It was just too big to fit in the space I had hence why the Viair system worked for me.
 
I ended up going with a viar 300 portable, and I am glad i did, it takes up very little space and is reasonably fast. I have used the heck out if it, aired up 2 or 3 rigs one after another many times and never once overheated. Don has a 400p, it works great as well but doesn't seem significantly faster for the size increase.
 
Paul said:
You do not really wheel do you?
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Nope, not really. Tell me I'm wrong though. If you're using something that needs a continuous air supply, you're going to have a compressor with enough pressure and flow headroom and a small reservoir tank and a pressure switch, so the compressor isn't running all the time. Else you're just airing up tires which isn't a continuous draw either.
Why, are you running in full depletion mode without an alternator?
 
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Paul said:
A Co2 tank is far superior to any oba system. Easily transported down the trail to the rig that needs it.
Oba requires that you need to be in close proximity to your bro that needs it.
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There is something to be said for sharing I guess.. We're talking about battery drain and not goodwill on the side of the trail though. :D

My solution would be to have a nice OBA system for myself, and carry a small tank for my poorly equipped bro. Problem solved. :p
 
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rockcity said:
Hell, I have a CO2 tank I'd let go cheap if you decide to go that route. It was just too big to fit in the space I had hence why the Viair system worked for me.
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I'd be interested actually. I have depended on the fill station at URE and Twitty realty at Corolla and really haven't NEEDED air the times I've gone to play. But like Paul sez "I don't really wheel"

But I'd like too, and I'm taking steps to do so...this being one of them. But because I'm one of those anal engineers and former boy scout, I prefer to be WAY over-prepared for things (my FIRST marriage being the exception...never saw THAT coming) in advance.
 
Question for you guys with CO2 tanks - where do you get them refilled? I had a kegerator and when my CO2 tank ran down I'd take it to Machine Welders Supply and exchange it for another tank. If I have one set up for OBA, I wouldn't want to exchange but rather refill.
 
tlucier said:
Question for you guys with CO2 tanks - where do you get them refilled? I had a kegerator and when my CO2 tank ran down I'd take it to Machine Welders Supply and exchange it for another tank. If I have one set up for OBA, I wouldn't want to exchange but rather refill.
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Machine and Welding Supply or Airgas or Tractor Supply or maybe Northern Tool. There used to be a place near me that would refill them for about $8-10, but they closed down a few years ago. All the places I listed do exchanges I believe.
 
I've been using 20lb CO2 tanks since about 2001. Bought a York around the same time to do OBA, and never have installed it. CO2 fills tires fast whether the rig is running or not, and with a properly sized regulator, runs air tools like a champ (i keep mine regulated to 175psi :D )
 
I go to Carolina Carbonic and Hydro in Greensboro. Fire Extinguisher places might be able to do it but the one closest to me just sent them to Carolina Carbonic so i cut out the middle man.
 
tlucier said:
Question for you guys with CO2 tanks - where do you get them refilled? I had a kegerator and when my CO2 tank ran down I'd take it to Machine Welders Supply and exchange it for another tank. If I have one set up for OBA, I wouldn't want to exchange but rather refill.
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why not just treat it like a welding bottle? Take the regulator off and swap out the tank. You must take off the reg to fill it anyway. Swapping tanks also guarantees that you always have one that is within date/spec.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
why not just treat it like a welding bottle? Take the regulator off and swap out the tank. You must take off the reg to fill it anyway. Swapping tanks also guarantees that you always have one that is within date/spec.
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That is the nice thing about swapping, tanks stay current. But its usually alot more expensive, and if you ever get a couple tanks from Airgas/MWS and weigh them, you'll find that the guy filling their tanks doesn't really care how much is in there as long as it isn't empty, and isn't full :rolleyes:
 
jeepinmatt said:
That is the nice thing about swapping, tanks stay current. But its usually alot more expensive, and if you ever get a couple tanks from Airgas/MWS and weigh them, you'll find that the guy filling their tanks doesn't really care how much is in there as long as it isn't empty, and isn't full :rolleyes:
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Take the bathroom scale with ya to the store. Weigh it in front of them.
 
Some of the local breweries will fill them, especially if they have supply stores. I used to use a Atlantic Brewery supply for my 5lb co2 bottle for the kegerator and it was like 12 bucks to fill.
 
My FIL does fire extenquishers. He refills CO2 as well, gets it alot for kegerators. Lots of fire extenquishers use CO2 as the propellant.
 
We refill co2 cylinders on the spot in Benson NC. I will possibly have some 10lb cylinders co2 converted and ready soon. Have the mounting brackets also.
 
roll cage and sliders for a tank works great - just make sure it has a blowoff valve and is dry air
 
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