My nail gun air compressor died yesterday on a construction site. Really stunk since it was after 7 and raining out as well ! So I luckily still had some charge left in a cordless pneumatic one to finish off some trim - but got me thinking...

What about an onboard system I can use for some air tools when in a pinch. It would be great to be able to tap into the Ex for situations when I just need to use a single air gun ( not multiple at the same time ) or other air tools and have a decent backup. Are any of the airbag system compressor anywhere adequate or anyone have any suggestions ? I wouldn't mind putting rear bags on the truck ( I've been contemplating that ) and using the same compressor would be an added bonus.

 

you should send a PM to neal 97 250 (he has a thread in this forum about a riffraff rally).

At last years Gatlinburg Ex Rally...Neal was there (and will be there again this year so you should show up to see it first hand!)...but Neal installed a very cool mod on his F250...he attached an air tank on the underside and has a retractable air hose reel...very very cool...I'm sure he has some pictures...

Just a thought.

joe.

 

You'll need to see how much air your using in the nail gun. A small compressor can actually work, but you'll need a cascade to keep you in pressure/volume. Basically several tanks isolated from each other, run off one until it's low, then switch to another and start the compressor filling the low tank.

Air bags are usually low volume, so the 1-2cfm @80psi or there about is all that's needed to start them up. But take a look at Warn's on board air/winch system, I believe they were several CFMs at 100+psi.

 

Yes I put an air system on my truck. It needs some tweaking though. I used an airtank I got from a big rig salvage yard, craftsman enclosed hose realand a viair air compressor. The tank is about 55 inches long and about 8" or 9" in diameter. I strapped it to the frame using coated steel cables and turnbuckles (this was temporary till I have a better mount design). The hose reel is mounted under the truck in front of the left reat wheel up in between the bed inner and outer sides. I plumbed it all up and voila'...air system that can air up the tires on the camper while still connected.

Now since then the pump has not really performed all that well. I think the tank is too big. I thought about running dual pumps but that gets expensive.
Right now the system is under reconstruction. I have my eye on another style pump. Apparently Riffraff has a great onboard air system. I am going to check it out at the Riffraff rally.

Another type system I really like is homemade using and old air conditioner compressor off of an old Volvo, American motors or some other old cars. The pump has an oil reservoir so it does not require the lubricant that other air conditioner systems require. You can put a filter on it and plumb the other side to your tank. It must be belt driven though and is sort of big. But if you can make room under the hood I believe it is the best most economical pump style possible. There are others on the web but they all have their faults.

I will try to find a link to the volvo compressor.

 

Here is a link to that old compressor install I spoke of.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...tercooler.html

 

I am rough figuring your tank is 2cf (It's more like 1.5), At 90 PSI, it's 12cf. then if your pushing a 2CFM pump to fill it, it will require 6 minutes to fill the tank when it's not in use. If your running tools while filling, you need to produce more CFM @ pressure than your using to gain on the tank. Ideally you should be running off the tank and not the compressor, which is where a cascade is nice.

 

More links:
http://www.kilbyenterprises.com/york-manual/pdf/8.pdf

http://www.kilbyenterprises.com/york.htm

The compressor is a york brand.

Here are other alternatives:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VIAIR...1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mediu...1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/150-P...4506.m20.l1116

As you can see it can be done in many ways. It just depends on your specific needs. Good luck.

Neal

 

I hooked up a Cobra 2500w inverter to my truck, and a 15gal 135psi standard 110v compressor in the back. Worked great until I overloaded the inverter and blew it sky high. I plan to rebuild/replace, as I use mine with air tools, something a little compressor just won't be able to keep up with.

 

Some info in this thread about a twin VIAIR compressor and tank system: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-question.html