home OBA from canadian tire

[ornamental]

i have this crazy ON BOARD AIR idea after looking at this weeks canadian tire flyer...

buy a 1000W inverter for $75 and
      a 3 gallon compressor with accessory kit for $60

then the inverter can be used for other things like coolers and tools etc...
the compressor can be used at home or on the trail for airing up or for tools.

what do you think?   or should i just go back to bed and sleep it off....
 :roll:

[Vinman]

Try it and let us know how it works.

I think Brian (Lugnut) did that a year or 2 ago, I'm not sure if he still uses it or not.

Vince

[Jaguar]

I'd say, buy the compressor first (With credit card). Take it home, run some tools off of it, and maybe fill a tire or 2... and if it's crap, take it back. or upgrade to a little better one. if it works. then buy the inverter.

[ornamental]

i dont know where the inverter would mount,  or i just carry it vehicle to vehicle??  i have no clue..

another thing is i dont want to carry a tank,  i dont want the tank to hit me in the head while wheeling...  plus the space it takes

ahhh  the decisions???

[Jaguar]

could mount the inverter under the hood somewhere like on the tray on the drivers side (just have to protect it from the elements). and the tank can be mounted to the tub somewhere ............ Sounds like it's time for a trailer lol

[redbull]

If I were to do this, I'd use a cheap car stereo amp kit (Princess Auto) to run a fused power wire and ground somewhere convenient inside the tub and then run the inverter off that. Most large capacity inverters have terminal posts that would be perfect for this. Mount the inverter to the compressor (not sure if the vibration would be bad, but what the heck) and you have a very portable air source. Personally, I think using a York A/C compressor is both more powerful and elegant of a solution, but go ahead and try it.

...another thing is i dont want to carry a tank...

You won't be able to do much without some sort of air reservoir. Running tools is out with a small cheap-o compressor. I've heard of tube bumpers and stock crossmembers used as air tanks, use your imagination and you'll find something to use that won't break your budget or your head. My buddy used a tank for an air brake system and bolted it under the truck bed.

[Lugnut]

Try it and let us know how it works.

I think Brian (Lugnut) did that a year or 2 ago, I'm not sure if he still uses it or not.

Vince

Yes, I did try just that setup, but was disappointed in the results.  I found that you could fill the first tire pretty quickly, but as it depleted the air in the tank, you were left waiting for the refill.

My present "cheap" solution is using two crappy tire DC compressors.  (Bought on sale for $9.99 each) Using two of them at the same time results in a reasonable fill time (33" x 13.5 x 15 from 9 to 20 PSI in about 12 minutes x 2 = 24 minutes to fill all four tires)

I also carry a ratchet strap, should I loose a bead.  With the ratchet strap around an unbeaded tire, you can tighten it enough to get the tire bead to touch the rim and pump here up. (I use a 1" as the 3/4" was difficult to get tight enough)

In having two compressors, you always have a back shoud the high quality device fail.

Next version;
As I already have the 3 gallon tank, relief valve, pressure regulator/switch and hose, I am thinking of mounting the tank under the vehicle, behind the t-case skid and using multiple DC compressors to feed the tank.

Final version;
Once the air conditioning (Come on now, the wife wanted it for the kids :roll: ) dies, I will convert the A/C to OBA.

Good luck in your build.

[Vinman]

i have this crazy ON BOARD AIR idea after looking at this weeks canadian tire flyer...

buy a 1000W inverter for $75 and
      a 3 gallon compressor with accessory kit for $60

then the inverter can be used for other things like coolers and tools etc...
the compressor can be used at home or on the trail for airing up or for tools.

what do you think?   or should i just go back to bed and sleep it off....
 :roll:

Dave, just suck it up and do the OBA we discussed on the last run, you are half way there with the stcok A/C mount already on your engine.

I doubt you could come close in performance  with an electric compressor (without spending a lot) for what it would cost to pickup a used compressor and mount it like Milan did.

Vince

[ornamental]

i have this crazy ON BOARD AIR idea after looking at this weeks canadian tire flyer...

buy a 1000W inverter for $75 and
      a 3 gallon compressor with accessory kit for $60

then the inverter can be used for other things like coolers and tools etc...
the compressor can be used at home or on the trail for airing up or for tools.

what do you think?   or should i just go back to bed and sleep it off....
 :roll:

Dave, just suck it up and do the OBA we discussed on the last run, you are half way there with the stcok A/C mount already on your engine.

I doubt you could come close in performance  with an electric compressor (without spending a lot) for what it would cost to pickup a used compressor and mount it like Milan did.

Vince

i think your right.   Milan can you help me out?  or else i will continue to bug you guys for air after wheeling.    can one of you guys make a parts list for all us OBA challenged people.   97-4.0L  with the bracket already

DAVE

[Fly Guy]

I was gonna do this in my TJ. I have a 1.5 gal compressor and picked up a kick arse 3000W RV invertor real cheap off ebay. Never got around to installing it, plus the compressor and invertor takes up a lot of space in a TJ. But, you could run a lot of other stuff... like a laptop with GPS software, beer fridge, big screen TV, etc. You know, all the stuff you need for camping.

[SteveO]

Dave, if you need a tank I have a brand new one I bought a couple years ago.  It's a decent size but should fit between the frame rails.  Can't remember the size exactly though.  $30. ....Steve

[Milan]

Fly Guy's got the right idea. We looked into it and to get a decent compressor that will work without a tank, you need at least 1800W and preferably 2400. This makes the invertor pricy, and bulky and the compressor motor and compressor bulky and heavy. Like Vince says, suck it up!