Onboard air compressor

Oonrahnjay · April 30, 2018, 07:53:15 PM

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.)

chessie4905 · 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.

eagle19952 · April 30, 2018, 10:57:22 PM

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 ?

chessie4905 · May 01, 2018, 05:20:15 AM

Experience. We're not talking about lug nuts that havent been touched for years. And a decent quality air wrench.

Oonrahnjay · May 01, 2018, 06:14:53 AM

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.

windtrader · May 02, 2018, 11:20:42 AM

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....

mikke60 · May 02, 2018, 05:47:35 PM

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.

dtcerrato · May 02, 2018, 07:37:17 PM

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.

windtrader · May 02, 2018, 11:10:23 PM

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.

dtcerrato · May 03, 2018, 07:32:28 PM

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.

dtcerrato · May 06, 2018, 06:22:02 AM

windtrader keep us posted on your installation

chessie4905 · May 06, 2018, 07:04:22 AM

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.

windtrader · May 06, 2018, 11:11:38 AM

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.