has anyone ever made an on board compressor

[brenweld]

hi im new to this forum im brendan from ireland i have a big interest in all homemade tools im thinking about making a compressor to run off the engine of my van to pump wheels and use air tools has anyone made something like this before?

 

[the snooper]

hi Brendan

I'm sure someone will have you would need some way to disengage the pump when not in use or use a pto if one is available

 

[brenweld]

yes im thinking would an airconditioner pump work that can be switched on and off but i was told it wont work because there is a lubricant in the ac gas and the pump wont last

 

[the snooper]

you would have to check if the pump has an oil feed and drain on it i cant see the ac gas having lubricating values as it wouldnt evaporate quickly enough to lower the temp

 

[brenweld]

i will check that out thanks

 

[the snooper]

have you thought about getting a compressor of a ford cargo or something similar they use them for the brakes (air over hydraulic)

 

[brenweld]

i will look into that

 

[CKJDJK]

If your looking at a truck compressor, there are two basic types. The older type has a built in sump and no oil feed and return connections. it is lubed by its own oil from the sump which needs changing regularly. The more common type has an oil pressure feed from the engine and a drian back to the sump.
Other variations are water or air cooled cylinder heads, built in means of contoling the compressor valves controled by head mounted air valve, some use a down stream unloader dryer. A safety blow off valve is a must and should be fitted in the main air delivery pipe line.
An AC compressor would be too small to run air tools but could inflate a tyre. The lube oil is suspended in with the refrigerant in an AC system and is part of its design. It does not have a seperate oil supply. The ac compressor would have a very limited life if used as you want but could be extended by adding a drip oil feed before the air intake on the compressor.

 

[rtbcomp]

Have a look on a Landrover forum, those guys are always fitting compressors to their trucks.

 

[eil]

This might be of help
http://coloradok5.com/york.shtml

 

[Luke]

As mentioned, its common on Landrovers to convert an air-con pump for use as an air compressor.

The compressors are fitted with an electro-magnetic clutch, so easy to turn on and off via a pressure switch. The lubrication issue has been solved a number of ways, either by adding an oiler to the inlet, or drilling and tapping the body and fitting a grease nipple - obviously in the right place!

 

[Furry Freak]

I fitted a VIAIR system to my off roader for air lockers, tyres etc. I appreciate that you may well want to make a system purely for the satisfaction - I get that. But VIAIR do a fully self contained system like mine which runs at 200psi, 1/2" hose high flow with 2 gallon receiver for £200 from Matt Savage. I have pcl connectors in the bumpers to simply snap things into when I need them. Having a receiver gives you a head start too.

Sometime the satisfaction isn't worth the grief.

FF

 

[naughtyboy]

got 3 scuba tanks from a guy at work.
im using one as my air tank on my 110.
leaves me 2 taking up space in shed.
local van breakers sometimes get bigger stuff in and guy who runs it as promised me air comp and gauges etc of it.
as well as night heater and whatever else i want for a crate of beer.

 

[Luke]

I fitted a VIAIR system to my off roader for air lockers, tyres etc.

What sort of volume does the Viair system give? an air conditioning compressor is supposed to be good for 15 cfm, or there abouts.

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

Have you seen some of the latest heavy duty 12v dc to 240v ac converters ...

Are they big enough to run a small 240 v compressor and drills for an hour or so??

Perhaps setting up a dual chaqrge battery system and an engine hand control to set the revs when in use so you will only flatten the tool battery if you forget to turn the engine on .

That way its cheaper and quicker for you to move to a new vehicle , plus you dont have too many specialist parts unique to your original vehicle

 

[brenweld]

thanks for the help

 

[pitmole]

I am running a sanden a/c comp on my rangerover bobtail, it pumps thru a system of non return valve,prv,and filter to the sills of the truck which are its storage tanks. Will fill them and the pipework total of about 28l in less than 30secs to 180 psi at 2000rpm on the engine. It runs on a pre lubricator system and can run an impact wrench no problem for as long as you want at that speed, tickover fills in about a minute. As all my pipework is crimped hydro hose it could be wound up to 300 psi but don't fancy that much!!

 

[aametalmaster]

Almost every car on the road has one already. Its called an air conditioning pump. Just remove the freon and most of the fittings. It will pump air just fine. There is an inlet and an outlet just like any other air compressor. You can even use the coil for a small tank. I have one in my basement mounted to a small steel tank...Bob