Replacing Trailer's On-Board Air Compressor
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Wyoming
Replacing Trailer's On-Board Air Compressor
I fired up my on-board air compressor last weekend. After waiting a looonngg time (~10 minutes) it finally stopped. The air in the 3 gallon tank wasn't even enough to run my 3/8" air ratchet on a trailer shock where the nut wasn't on very tight. The threads were about 1.25" long.
I'm going to clean up and service the existing compressor this weekend. If I can't find anything wrong (plugged intake, pinched hose, etc) I would like to replace the air compressor. The air tank itself seems to be OK. I had no problem draining the tank and got no fluid/crud. If the trailer specs are right a 3 gallon tank is more than most vendors are providing for on-board air system.
I'm starting my search with VIAIR. Something like the 450C which is a 100% duty cycle compressor that pulls 23 amps. I'm learning about compressors as I go so any advice is welcome.
I'm going to clean up and service the existing compressor this weekend. If I can't find anything wrong (plugged intake, pinched hose, etc) I would like to replace the air compressor. The air tank itself seems to be OK. I had no problem draining the tank and got no fluid/crud. If the trailer specs are right a 3 gallon tank is more than most vendors are providing for on-board air system.
I'm starting my search with VIAIR. Something like the 450C which is a 100% duty cycle compressor that pulls 23 amps. I'm learning about compressors as I go so any advice is welcome.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Washington
I purchased the 450C-IG for the on board air I want to install on my truck. I haven't installed it yet, so I can't say anything about longevity, but it's construction is solid. I plan to pair it with a 6 gallon air brake tank to run air tools, and fill my trucks airbags. I bought the mounting bracket for it too. The mounting slots are a little too big for the hardware needed to mount the compressor, but the bracket is meant to fit all of their compressors. I've also got their pressure switch/relay to cycle the compressor on/off at 90/120 PSI.
The compressor is only 100% duty cycle at 100PSI. The duty cycle is reduced for pressures greater than 100PSI.
The compressor is only 100% duty cycle at 100PSI. The duty cycle is reduced for pressures greater than 100PSI.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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I've got a pair of 450-C's mounted in the bed of the truck feeding through an air dryer into a 3 gallon tank to run my Kelderman air ride system and air horns. They've been rock solid for 5 years, and at the 90-120 psi operating range, they work great at 100% duty cycle for airing up tires.
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From: Wyoming
Greg, I take it that your amperage draw hasn't been a problem?
I'm not sure what wiring is in place from the trailer battery to the air compressor. If it's light stuff then I don't think I want to put in a very high draw air compressor - or two of them. I'm still trying to decide how serious I want to get with this.
I haven't had to put an air dryer on the air compressor I use in my garage. The humidity around here is so low I never get anything when I drain the tank.
I'm not sure what wiring is in place from the trailer battery to the air compressor. If it's light stuff then I don't think I want to put in a very high draw air compressor - or two of them. I'm still trying to decide how serious I want to get with this.
I haven't had to put an air dryer on the air compressor I use in my garage. The humidity around here is so low I never get anything when I drain the tank.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Greg, I take it that your amperage draw hasn't been a problem?
I'm not sure what wiring is in place from the trailer battery to the air compressor. If it's light stuff then I don't think I want to put in a very high draw air compressor - or two of them. I'm still trying to decide how serious I want to get with this.
I haven't had to put an air dryer on the air compressor I use in my garage. The humidity around here is so low I never get anything when I drain the tank.
I'm not sure what wiring is in place from the trailer battery to the air compressor. If it's light stuff then I don't think I want to put in a very high draw air compressor - or two of them. I'm still trying to decide how serious I want to get with this.
I haven't had to put an air dryer on the air compressor I use in my garage. The humidity around here is so low I never get anything when I drain the tank.
How are you charging the trailer battery? That would be a big consideration. If it's just through the charge wire from the tow vehicle, I'd look for something with a lower amp rating.
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Wyoming
It looks like the wire going to my air compressor is 14 gauge at best. I couldn't find any markings on the wire to verify that so it's a guess. I cleaned the air filter and it wasn't bad. I don't think the prior owners used the compressor much.
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