on board air
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
on board air
Looking for a 12 volt air source either to carry off road or even to mount somewhere and plumb in a small tank. Main use will be to air up after off roading. Looking at this one:
I'd like to hear what others are using. Not interested in cheap junk, looking for something that has a good duty cycle and won't let me down unexpectedly.
I've seen some with a higher CFM but the duty cycle much less than this one at 100%. A small tank would help out on the CFM no doubt.
I'd like to hear what others are using. Not interested in cheap junk, looking for something that has a good duty cycle and won't let me down unexpectedly.
I've seen some with a higher CFM but the duty cycle much less than this one at 100%. A small tank would help out on the CFM no doubt.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 42
Looking at this as well: https://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-Constan.../dp/B000YC42RG Kinda disappointing they are all made in China.
Yep, most are. Kleinn is one of the few made in USA.
When the idea to install air horns was brewing, a massive plan was put into place. The wife did not like it and ordered a complete budget system. It has this compressor:
kleinn.com | Model 6120 All-in-one Air System
When the horns were installed, a quick connect was added to attach a simple air hose. This works great for airing up tires and other small jobs.
The system has be in place for 10 years now and has given few problems (broken line, fuse, etc...)
If money is no object, though, there much better options. Members here have installed belt driven compressors where the second alternator would go.
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
Yep, most are. Kleinn is one of the few made in USA.
When the idea to install air horns was brewing, a massive plan was put into place. The wife did not like it and ordered a complete budget system. It has this compressor:
kleinn.com | Model 6120 All-in-one Air System
When the horns were installed, a quick connect was added to attach a simple air hose. This works great for airing up tires and other small jobs.
The system has be in place for 10 years now and has given few problems (broken line, fuse, etc...)
If money is no object, though, there much better options. Members here have installed belt driven compressors where the second alternator would go.
When the idea to install air horns was brewing, a massive plan was put into place. The wife did not like it and ordered a complete budget system. It has this compressor:
kleinn.com | Model 6120 All-in-one Air System
When the horns were installed, a quick connect was added to attach a simple air hose. This works great for airing up tires and other small jobs.
The system has be in place for 10 years now and has given few problems (broken line, fuse, etc...)
If money is no object, though, there much better options. Members here have installed belt driven compressors where the second alternator would go.
So do you run that off an inverter?
edit: never mind I mistook 110 PSI for 110 volts It is mounted under your truck? What about it's weather rating?
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 42
It is mounted behind the rear seat. That must be why it has lasted so long.
It gets power when the key is on, but a shut-off switch was also installed-- just in case.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Pueblo, CO
I've got two of these (had 3 but sold one) and they are amazing on board air compressors. They will run air tools without a tank. They are pricey and draw a lot of amperage but York compressors put out a ton of CFM.
I won this compressor and keep it behind the backseat of my Powerstroke. It's been a good compressor too.
I won this compressor and keep it behind the backseat of my Powerstroke. It's been a good compressor too.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
I ordered the VIAIR constant duty on board system. Should arrive tomorrow. Here's an article about installing one on a F-250: There She Blows: Installing a VIAIR Constant Duty On Board Air System on an F-250 - Ford-Trucks.com
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 42
I ordered the VIAIR constant duty on board system. Should arrive tomorrow. Here's an article about installing one on a F-250: There She Blows: Installing a VIAIR Constant Duty On Board Air System on an F-250 - Ford-Trucks.com
That is gonna be sweet!!!
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: south cali
What ever you do, don't run the Viair 444c. It does not produce enough cfm to do much but basic stuff. Inflating my 285 75 16 tires takes way too long. I have it hooked up to a 5 gallon tank, so it will inflate one tire well, but the rest is just a chore. If you do go electric, so with something with more cfm.
If i had to do it all over....i would look for a way to add a belt driven compressor. That coupled with the High Idle tune should get you all the air you need.
If i had to do it all over....i would look for a way to add a belt driven compressor. That coupled with the High Idle tune should get you all the air you need.
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
What ever you do, don't run the Viair 444c. It does not produce enough cfm to do much but basic stuff. Inflating my 285 75 16 tires takes way too long. I have it hooked up to a 5 gallon tank, so it will inflate one tire well, but the rest is just a chore. If you do go electric, so with something with more cfm.
If i had to do it all over....i would look for a way to add a belt driven compressor. That coupled with the High Idle tune should get you all the air you need.
If i had to do it all over....i would look for a way to add a belt driven compressor. That coupled with the High Idle tune should get you all the air you need.
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
It arrived today, gotta wait for the weekend to install though. Spent an hour crawling around under the truck to come up with the best place to put it. The compressor needs to be fairly close to the tank as it has a braided supply line that is only 16" long. I decided to put it under the bed on the passenger side just behind the cab. The driver's side has the brake cable and fuel tank fill hoses which makes for less room on that side. It'll be a tad far from the batteries but nothing a #8 AWG wire won't fix.
My plan is to cut some 3/16" A-36 powder coated plate I have and make a shelf big enough to put the tank and compressor side by side. I'll drill and bolt one side of the plate flat to the bottom of the frame rail and suspend the other side either with all-thread bolted vertically into the two bed cross members right there, or maybe weld on some vertical 2X2 angle so I can run a long bolt horizontally thru each bed cross member into the ends of the angle. The all thread might work best because the second bed cross member is not square, it spreads out wider at the top.
My plan is to cut some 3/16" A-36 powder coated plate I have and make a shelf big enough to put the tank and compressor side by side. I'll drill and bolt one side of the plate flat to the bottom of the frame rail and suspend the other side either with all-thread bolted vertically into the two bed cross members right there, or maybe weld on some vertical 2X2 angle so I can run a long bolt horizontally thru each bed cross member into the ends of the angle. The all thread might work best because the second bed cross member is not square, it spreads out wider at the top.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: Temperance, MI
I made a tank because more than psi I was worried about volume. I just used 6" pipe and welded all the fittings I needed it to have. I'm running 140psi and if my calculations are correct I'm at 6.6 gallons. It runs the width of my bed and I have it mounted to the bed floor as close as I could get to the front of the bed. I did loose some bed space but it's well worth it. From there I will be running a quick disconnect to both sides of the truck, I have only installed one as of now. I keep a 20' or so air line under the rear seat.
I do some camping and have an impact in the camper along with a longer hose in case something happens that requires air. It's never fun being on the side of the road with a flat...
I can post a picture if you would like. I'm debating getting a second pump to run next to my first one so I'll have faster filling capacity
I do some camping and have an impact in the camper along with a longer hose in case something happens that requires air. It's never fun being on the side of the road with a flat...
I can post a picture if you would like. I'm debating getting a second pump to run next to my first one so I'll have faster filling capacity
FTE-Spread The Knowledge
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 251
We have dual and thought that would fill faster, but in the end that 250 amp alternator helped the most. One pump fills twice as fast with proper power. Watch those Viair check valves. After a while they start leaking back through the compressor. 40 to 50 psi everyday. Running 210 psi, that is a lot!