poor man's on board air

[ccalingaert]

I've been meaning to add air to my truck for a while but don't think I'll use it often enough to justify an expensive system. I found a used humvee 24V compressor on ebay and got my tanks, pressure switch, check valve, pressure regulator, and gauges by buying a 4 gallon hot dog compressor with a bad motor for $30 on craigslist. I cut apart the tanks and had a buddy weld on a couple of additional pipe bungs. Most of the fittings, hardware, and bits and pieces are from McMaster-Carr plus a few odds and ends from the hardware store. It ended up costing almost $270 (those fittings add up), but it's easy to spend that much on just the compressor.









The light on the control box is only illuminated when the compressor is running instead of being tied directly to the switch.

[M Wehrman]

May be difficult getting to or finding fitting if you hit some mud / snow. Maybe putting female end thru the plate next to brake light?

[audiocontr]

Very cool. Wher does the line go to at the t? To another regulator on the driver side?

[edzz]

Looks like the air intake will be a dirt / mud magnet may want to use a remote filter.

[krick3tt]

It's OK..never rains in California..don't you know..

[ccalingaert]

If I'm in mud or snow that goes above my tires I have bigger problems than airing up. I'm planning to keep something over the regulator and quick disconnect to keep out mud & dirt.

The tee feeds 1/8 ID tubing to the inside pressure gauge and a hose to the other two gallon tank on the driver side.

The main reason I posted was to point out that a cheap used or broken air compressor has many of the parts you need for an on board air system.

[TechMOGogy]

Nice job
I like when old bits and parts come together to make a new whole system
I like the tank mounts - what did you use?

[krick3tt]

Possible place to get valves to send air to different places/tires

http://www.amazon.com/Port-Position-Dou ... 088&sr=8-7

[ccalingaert]

The tanks and the compressor are mounted with McMaster-Carr clamping U-bolts. 6" for the tanks, 5" for the compressor. http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/1536/=gi3spt