Tankless Air Compressor Recommendations

[plyonsMC9]

Greetings all,

Just got my MC9 back from the shop and she holds air really well now.   

I would like to add a tankless air compressor*  to occaisionally pump in a bit of air as necessary to the bus while parked. I want to eventually do the air-leveling system.

I saw this thread on the board

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=267.0

in which a 1/2 horse compressor was recommended.

Does any one have a specific link or suggestion for a QUIET, tankless unit that has performed well for them?  I'm picturing mounting it in the engine compartment, so would rather not wake up embedded in the ceiling whenever the compressor starts up.   

Thank you,

Phil

* It's a tankless job, but someone's got to do it.   

[FloridaCliff]

Phil,

I am going to put mine in the rear baggage bay near my main disconnect.

It will only have power when on shore cord and have a check valve to the air input.

I had it mounted  in the old a/c compressor compartment and I could see it would be ruined down the road.

I am going to put it in a box with sound protection, hopefully this will keep me and the camping neighbors happy.

I don't think your going to find a quiet 1/2 hp tankless, just going to have to make it that way.

I just completed replacing a few air bags and tightning up the leaks in my suspension, 11 days and hasn't dropped a inch

Just gotta love when acts like new again

Cliff

[plyonsMC9]

Greetings Cliff,

What is your soundproof box going to look like?  What kind of materials will you be using? 

Thanks again!  Phil

[Dallas]

Phil,
I bought a 2 HP 4 gallon oil sump compressor from Advance Auto Parts for $88. It's pretty quiet and has enough power to run my impact wrench.
I like it because it has a crankcase and should last longer than the oiless type.
My plan is to dismount it from the frame it's on and put it in the spare tire compartment. I can either leave the 2 little tanks on it or take them off and run it directly to the wet tank on the bus.
The Advance Auto Parts number is 9050069
Dallas

[ChuckMC8]

 Phil, I bought a Sears 1/2hp piston pump,belt driven type compressor at a yard sale for $20 and torched off the tank. The compressor and motor are still on the original mount as I cut it off the tank. It has a check valve in the output line of the compressor head. I plumbed it in temporaly to make sure it worked. It did fine, but I need to buy a water seperator to plumb in before I mount it permanently.
Its quiet. In the bay with the door closed, you wouldnt hear it from the next campsite.
Hope this helps, Chuck

[JackConrad]

Cliff,
  If you make a sound box, allow for air flow. Compressors can create a considerable amount of heat.
  We purchased the same compressor that Dallas uses. (Thanks Dallas for the info) We installed it in the fron bay on a piece of 1/2" high density foam to isolate it from the compartment floor. With the bay doors closed, it is not much louder than the water pump is with the bay doors open.   Jack

[FloridaCliff]

Phil,

I have not really planned a design yet.   But, I was thinking of a box wrapped in lead lined foam that I have left over.  Maybe a couple of round attic vents in the top so it could breath. More to muffle it than eliminate the sound.

I am going to put it on some HD foam as Jack suggested and close the door for a sound check.

I may not even need the box. 

I also have four vibration isolators left over from the generator slide project that I may try.

Cliff

[pvcces]

Try eBay #7618318154. It looks about like what we bought.

HTH

Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher
Ketchikan, Alaska

[jatnip]

Phil
Try using the 1 inch sound batting that they use in HVAC  heating ducts.  I think it has the highest sound deading rating.  Jim

[gumpy]

Try eBay #7618318154. It looks about like what we bought.

Dang, they're proud of their shipping and handling! Must be wrapped in gold leaf paper.

These are oilless, and will not be super quiet, but probably could be improved if mounted properly. They'll have a limited life span if run for extended periods.

I bought a couple pumps that were used in the Brake Buddy system. They are 12 volts and put out a limited amount of air, but work well for my bay door locks. I'd never try to air up the bus suspension with them, but I think if I isolate my leveling system, I can probably use one to keep it aired up when parked.

For airing up the suspension, I have an oil type compressor from Harbor Freight. About $90. It works pretty well and is not as noisy as the oilless ones I've seen in comparable size. I may separate the tank and compressor and tie it all together with the leveling system pumps so I can use the tank for volume in the leveling system or use the 120 volt compressor for leveling, also.