Here you go for an auxiliary air compressor. Same size as mine, but mines an older Craftsman unit. On sale till May 6 th for $114. Mines plumbed into coach air system, mounted in center of rear bay, pretty quiet, and controlled with a switch beside driver. And this ones rated to 150 psi. Mine is 100. Make sure you add a remote drain. They offer extended warranties.
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-gallon-15-HP-150-PSI-Oil-Free-Portable-Air-Compressor-64294.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMTIxNTkwNjAiLCJza3UiOiI2NDI5NCIsImlzIjoiMTE0Ljk5IiwicHJvZHVjdF9p%0D%0AZCI6IjEyNjExIn0%3D%0D%0A&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1718c&utm_source=1031&cid=mEmail_s1031_c1718c&sfid= (https://www.harborfreight.com/8-gallon-15-HP-150-PSI-Oil-Free-Portable-Air-Compressor-64294.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMTIxNTkwNjAiLCJza3UiOiI2NDI5NCIsImlzIjoiMTE0Ljk5IiwicHJvZHVjdF9p%0D%0AZCI6IjEyNjExIn0%3D%0D%0A&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1718c&utm_source=1031&cid=mEmail_s1031_c1718c&sfid=)
So you use this compressor to supply your air tools and the like or to raise the suspension? I am guessing this is to level the coach versus having to start and run the engine...
I have an 78 MC8, are there fittings at each wheel or something should I want to do this?
Just be aware that most "oil-less" compressors are not as durable as conventional oil-lubricated compressors. They're OK for occasional painting or airbrushing (that's why they're oil-less, to prevent contaminating the paint sprayer's air supply with oil), but for real long-term reliability nothing beats an oil-type compressor. Harbor Fright offers their version of generic twin-tank 4-gallon oil-type compressors for sometimes less than $100 if you use the 20% coupon during their sales, and they work just fine for light-duty non-critical use. I plumbed mine into the bus's accessories air system, but with a simple air filter before the bus's air tank that removes a surprising amount of moisture from the air, especially on humid days. I installed three air outlets, one on each side and one near the engine, to make it easy to inflate tires or use air tools. I also added a valve to backfeed air from the accessories tank into the wet tank, and a drain for the electric compressor with an Amflo connector on its end - when I needed a tow last year it was very easy for the tow truck to connect to my compressor's drain connector and then be able to air up the entire bus to keep the brakes released.
John
Oil less compressors don't last long on a heavy duty cycle. When buying check out the duty cycle. I bought a Via Air 24V heavy duty 100% duty cycle claimed by Via Air to keep my air door lock with air feeding a 5 gal reserve tank. On occasional run time it lasted until just after the 1 year warranty and would not produce air. The compression ring on piston failed. Via Air want $45 to check it out plus me shipping it plus parts to repair and ship it back. No way Via Air, I trashed it and now using a Craftsman oil compressor. Oil less compressors don't like a lot of heat build up it causes the piston compression ring to fail. I had a small Senco oil less fail also, trashed that one too.
It"ll depend on how much and how long you use it, and how much money you want to spend.
I'd say every conversion needs an aux compressor for silent campground departure.
This is a big trigger for getting us banned from campgrounds.
Cold start, smoke show, loud diesel, trying to fill the leaky air system from empty, he and she yelling at one another over the engine to break camp...
While everyone else was looking forward to sleeping in and breathing fresh air...
Aux air compressor buried SILENTLY in a bay, and a block heater to minimize the oil burn on cold start...
The good neighbour busnut has a goal: start the engine, release the parking brake and moves out of the camping site. You can do whatever else you want out there at the entrance, away from the other campers.
If the coach has air integrity and a fresh engine and can do that by it self, GREAT!
If it can't, install systems to allow for as silent and fragrance free departure as possible.
If you don't give a hoot what others think, do the hobby a favour and stay out of campgrounds?
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Very well put.
This is the air compressor I have. Notice the 3,000hour life cycle compared to most that have only 500hour life. The 2hp is very quiet-like an air conditioner running. Not the cheapest, but one of the best for quiet air compressing. It is so good, I saw it in a multi-million dollar yacht as standard equipment from the manufacturer. Good Luck, TomC http://www.californiaairtools.com/ultra-quiet-series-of-air-compressor-contractor-grade/2-0-hp-air-compressors/cat-4620ac/ (http://www.californiaairtools.com/ultra-quiet-series-of-air-compressor-contractor-grade/2-0-hp-air-compressors/cat-4620ac/)
Quote from: TomC on April 26, 2018, 06:42:52 AM... .. Good Luck, TomC http://www.californiaairtools.com/ultra-quiet-series-of-air-compressor-contractor-grade/2-0-hp-air-compressors/cat-4620ac/ (http://www.californiaairtools.com/ultra-quiet-series-of-air-compressor-contractor-grade/2-0-hp-air-compressors/cat-4620ac/)
No price listed. Do you have a price (ballpark OK), Tom? Thanks.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/California-Air-Tools-4-6-Gallon-Electric-Twin-Stack-Quiet-Air-Compressor/1000141937 (https://www.lowes.com/pd/California-Air-Tools-4-6-Gallon-Electric-Twin-Stack-Quiet-Air-Compressor/1000141937)
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Air-compressors-Air-tools-compressors-Tools/2911831268?refinement=4294397315 (https://www.lowes.com/pl/Air-compressors-Air-tools-compressors-Tools/2911831268?refinement=4294397315)
Dave
Tom beat me to it !
Quote from: TomC on April 26, 2018, 03:23:10 PM
https://www.lowes.com/pd/California-Air-Tools-4-6-Gallon-Electric-Twin-Stack-Quiet-Air-Compressor/1000141937 (https://www.lowes.com/pd/California-Air-Tools-4-6-Gallon-Electric-Twin-Stack-Quiet-Air-Compressor/1000141937)
Quote from: sledhead on April 26, 2018, 03:26:02 PM
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Air-compressors-Air-tools-compressors-Tools/2911831268?refinement=4294397315 (https://www.lowes.com/pl/Air-compressors-Air-tools-compressors-Tools/2911831268?refinement=4294397315)
Dave
Tom beat me to it !
Interesting. These are two different models, one draws about 14 Amps and the other 8.5 and there is a corresponding difference in the air supply/pressure between the two. One is $300 and change, the other $200+. Both have the 4.6 gallons twin tanks.
Good info to have. Thanks for the recommendation.
And while we're talking, do you use the tanks that come with these units or do you fit the actual compressor mechanism to pump directly into the most appropriate tank for your bus and do away with the compressor assembly tanks? It would sure seem to reduce bulk and fiddle factor to just go direct to your bus tank.
Quote...do you use the tanks that come with these units or do you fit the actual compressor mechanism to pump directly into the most appropriate tank for your bus and do away with the compressor assembly tanks? It would sure seem to reduce bulk and fiddle factor to just go direct to your bus tank.
My question too. I have an unused standalone compressor that I want to take the pump parts and plumb it into the existing air system. There is a connector for accepting external air so a simple mod to put the compressor in line. Gets rid of the entire second tank and easily fits into the place where the AC was pulled out.
Sure, you can omit tank or tanks. Just be sure you don't then have an issue of compressor trying to start against head pressure from main system.Make sure to install check valve between pump and air system. Also, why do you need two small tanks in that package? It uses teflon rings like all the other oil less compressors. Those compressors are all small packages unless room is sparce. Probably all from China. Any should suffice unless you are running the daylights out of it. Mine is mainly for bringing up air pressure to minimize idle time. Or to move off road if main air compressor fails.Like has been already stated, block heater and aux air makes it nice for leaving campsites.
You could install an air compressor on your house generator with an ac type clutch to accomplish the same thing.
as you see, my compressor is old style single tank. Hoping I can just use the top part and share the main bus air tank. Mainly want to use to air up before leaving and occasional air tool use.
I have one of those. Great air compressors. Yes, you could use the pump and motor without the tank. Be a lot easier to get one like the HF type, remove handle, and bolt to bottom of bay. No oil level to remember to check or belt to adjust or replace at times. Not much larger package than pump and motor alone.
Quote from: chessie4905 on April 26, 2018, 07:12:29 PMSure, you can omit tank or tanks. ...
Thanks to everyone who commented for the thoughts and good guidance on this. Yes, I have been thinking about the best use of one-way valve and/or maybe a pressure-protection valve to completely isolate the aux compressor from the other parts of the air system.
Has anyone tried a fridge compressor mod to use as aux air compressor for bus use?
Has any one looked at the low rider community and the 12 volt compressors they use.
I think I saw 2 in one of the low riders at the last car show i was at.
The one I now have is just about as loud as the old detroit at idle.
And takes longer to bring Huggy alive.
I always drop most of the air to get the door close to the ground so mama can get in.
She is height challenged.
uncle ned
It might be good to have the oneway valve at the auxillary compressor and going towards the coach oem air line. Jus my opinion, also if wanting to use air for other stuff a 60 psi low pressure limit valve can be the option.
You all have seen these in several manual and electrical or now days digital inputs. This really is an interesting topic. Although Jim im not debating the re purposing of my beer cooler, yet! 🍻
Good day
Floyd
Hook tank direct to your air system, with or without check valve. The air pump will have one between it and tank it is mounted on. If you bypass the included adjustable pressure regulator, if it has one,( not the pressure regulator that turns the electric motor off when set tank pressure is reached), you can have a connection point there that cn be set for othertypes of uses.
If the compressor is rated at 100 psi, it may engage the overpressure safety valve, if compressor is plumbed directly into coach air system without a one way checkvalve. If this happens, they sell safety valves at higher pressures. Only go 50 psi max higher than the one you have. 25 psi would be better, unless the one you have is stamped 100.
Forget refrigeration compressors. They can develop high pressures, but their volume of air output is very low. Unsuitable for this application.
Also forget low voltage compact units. They will demonstrate a short life and are only designed for intermittant use. Save them for filling air mattersses and innertubes.
With the aux. compressor attached to it"s own tank, keeps majority of water produced out of the main air system.Just have an easily accessed tank drain or pull cable setup.
If you have compressor tank plumbed in direct, it'll provide extra volume to your air system. And coach air compressor will keep it filled. You sould have a shut off valve between aux and main air system in any case
Country Coach used a Thomas Compressor on my Prevost.I just replaced the one on mine .Bought it from CFP for less than three bills .Grainger wanted 600.00 .this thing is oil free and must be pretty dependable .The one in mine was twenty four years old If interested ,the cat number is SK405DCMAJ .
Quote from: bigred on April 29, 2018, 08:06:26 AM
Country Coach used a Thomas Compressor on my Prevost.I just replaced the one on mine .Bought it from CFP for less than three bills .Grainger wanted 600.00 .this thing is oil free and must be pretty dependable .The one in mine was twenty four years old If interested ,the cat number is SK405DCMAJ .
I have one of these compressors (new) just taking up space. pulled from a 97 CC that we scraped out. Pm me if interested. you can have this one for a C~ note. ;)
Wish I had known Van.I hope I won't need another one while I own this coach.A c note is a great deal on this compressor .A rebuild kit is right at 200.00!!
Was at HF today. They have a model very similiar to the one at the beginning of thread. This one has an oiled compressor, approx same price. The tag says " will use some oil during use " Both have ratings of 88 db or less. Both have removable handles and pressure regulators and can be plumbed direct so can use adjustable regulator for other uses, maybe for air bags if set at lower pressure. The oil less is rated at 150 psi and oil type at 125 psi.
Any concerns about engine compartment heat affecting the compressor? I guess one could put some heat protection material between compressor and rest of engine area.
personally, I wouldn't put it in engine compartment. It doesn't need extra heat or the dirt from there. I'd find a spot in one of the bays for it. You can run nylon dot air line from it to connect into your air system.
Those quiet California Air ones see great. 5.3@90psi for such a small unit is pretty good.
Can you run air tools off the bus tanks? What kinds of tools are you capable of using?
The form would be much smaller if you just use the compressor and not the tanks but it seems like it wouldn't be as effective in my mind.
Why have a compressor that won't air up a tire... ???
That 5.3 @ 90 psi. is a standard rating used for comparasion of air compressors. That unit will go to 125 or 150 psi.
Quote from: PNWorBUST72 on April 30, 2018, 03:59:03 PM
Those quiet California Air ones see great. 5.3@90psi for such a small unit is pretty good.
Can you run air tools off the bus tanks? What kinds of tools are you capable of using?
The form would be much smaller if you just use the compressor and not the tanks but it seems like it wouldn't be as effective in my mind.
My thoughts and opinions. FWIW ...
The air tools are more dependent on the air feed system and hoses than much of anything else. Someone here suggested using a 1/2 line to a separate, portable tank that you can use near your tools, then run a 3/4" or 1" line from the portable tank to your tools. You may have to stop and let the system "charge up" but that will deliver full power to the tools.
Air is just air. If you have compressor that delivers 5 cfm to 5 cu foot tank, you'll fill it in a minute; if you use a 10 cu foot tank, it will take two. Once the tank is fully pressurized, then it's a matter of how much air you use and how quickly.
I agree, the 5.3 CFM on these compressors is pretty good. (Note: there are two compressor that use the same tanks, one has higher CFM and pulls more amps, the other is lower but only pull about 2/3 the amps. Pay yer money and take yer choice.)
If a 1/2 inch air line with a 3/4 or 1inch drive won't loosen the nuts, you've got serious problems. Time for new nuts and maybe new studs. Don't wait till out on the road till it's the first time you've ever removed a wheel.
Quote from: chessie4905 on April 30, 2018, 08:29:30 PM
If a 1/2 inch air line with a 3/4 or 1inch drive won't loosen the nuts, you've got serious problems. Time for new nuts and maybe new studs. Don't wait till out on the road till it's the first time you've ever removed a wheel.
who told you this ?
Experience. We're not talking about lug nuts that havent been touched for years. And a decent quality air wrench.
Quote from: chessie4905 on April 30, 2018, 08:29:30 PM... Don't wait till out on the road till it's the first time you've ever removed a wheel.
I strongly agree with this. For most of us, this flight has already pushed back from the gate, the ticket agent has locked the jetway door, and has already put on fresh lipstick, but -- even if you've done it a thousand times -- with a new-to-you bus, pull your wheels and have a good look, even if you just put them right back on.
The PO of my coach ran a pancake in the space in the engine compartment; i've seen reference it others as well. Common sense is that heat is not helpful but placing in the coach bay takes up precious space. grrr....
On my last coach, I took a blow up emglo compressor
And replaced the head with a refrigerator compressor .
While it was slow from zero , it was great for maintaining
The system . As you could imagine,the sound was close to
Non existent. Some units are rated for up to 400 psi, so maintaining
The factory safety is a must.
Was just reading through this post and noticed the compressor that windtrader had pictured. That is the exact compressor we run for auxiliary air and it is a gem... We ran it in the field running gun nailers for 15-20 years and now is mounted in the bus, tank & all - just took the wheels & pull handle off. It's bailed us out a few times in the bus the last couple years. The highlight save was when the main engine compressor gear drive went out in Atlanta GA & the auxiliary compressor ran us all the way to Indianapolis! It builds a lot of air too. It will pump the bus up from 0 air to 120 in about 8 minutes. Good choice. We build air with it rather than the engine when in dense campsite as a courtesy, don't know how we did without it for so many years.
Dan - is it mounted in a bay? If the heat won't harm it I'd prefer to stuff it into the side bay of the engine compartment where the ac was removed. Maybe it won't take that much real estate in the regular storage bay.
Windtrader, yes it is mounted in a bay, in fact it is mounted in an unventilated bay with other equipment that generates little heat - check out the photo attached - three really important items in that bay - it's our portable shop - you know, tools, compressed air, & of course cold beer! Seriously - heat will not bother this compressor - I can remember running it for hours on end in direct hot FL sunshine 95+ degrees on hot asphalt. It is an aluminum case & dissipates heat very rapidly - sears offers almost no replacement parts for it but it seems to be a run-forever machine, it is commercial rated & to this day after many years the best semi small portable air compressor on the market. You'd be hard pressed to find a 110 vac @ 1 hp that develops over 6 cfm at 90 psi in todays compressor arsenal. As you can tell, we really like this unit & really freaked when I saw your photo of it because they're just not around anymore. We plumbed it into the engine air compressor discharge muffler and placed a 12 vdc air solenoid in the air line & a 110 vac relay so we can control the power to the electric driven motor and air flow from the drivers cockpit. When our main engine compressor failed in Atlanta GA, we just toggled a couple switches to get out of gridlock traffic off the interstate to see what was up - pretty convenient & really a strategic back up system. Having leaving the tank intact is a plus because it really increases compressed air volume for the whole bus - you'll notice that when you plumb it into your system. From a safety stand point - shouldn't ever consider it as primary air but as an auxiliary source its priceless if & when you need it.
windtrader keep us posted on your installation
Yes, those are good compressors. I used one of these geared up with a 5 hp motor for years before getting big ones. Still have it and works great when needed. Might be a little big for coach but it'll work great if you have the room.
Dan,
Will do. After seeing it mounted in the bay, I need to check the dimensions to see if mine will squeeze into a convenient area of the bay while not taking too much space. As far as air plumbing, I'm thinking when airing up at the park, I'll run a hose from the compressor to the connection in the engine bay.
UPDATE: Going to be a tight fit into the main bays. Wheels off and metal leg off the bottom gets several inches and still need to take of plastic shroud to see if there are any spare inches there. It'll fit after a few mods. 120v wall plug right there.