Onboard air compressor

[chessie4905]

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.

[Oonrahnjay]

Sure, 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. 

[Jim Eh.]

Has anyone tried a fridge compressor mod to use as aux air compressor for bus use?

[uncle ned]

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

[brmax]

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

[chessie4905]

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

[bigred]

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 .

[Van]

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.

[bigred]

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!!

[chessie4905]

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.

[windtrader]

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.

[chessie4905]

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.

[PNWorBUST72]

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.

[eagle19952]

Why have a compressor that won't air up a tire...

[chessie4905]

That 5.3 @ 90 psi. is a standard rating used for comparasion of air compressors. That unit will go to 125 or 150 psi.