Onboard Air.. How to set it up..

[TheHighLife]

I bought one of those cheap air compressers that 4hummer uses in his writeup on the tech page. I ended up getting it for 13 bucks at shucks because it was missing the carrying case, so I couldent turn it down.

Anyway.. Since its kinda crappy I want to run a tank, so it doesnt take forever to do anything with it. What kinda of tank do I use? Wheres a good place to mount the tank? thats out of the way ( i was thinking where the spare tire used to be) And how do I set this thing up so that it fills up the tank, and than I can use the the air from the tank? It will be used to air up tires, air matress's and other basic camping/truck things. Im hoping it will be able to run some airtools.. but.. I can live with out them.

Also.. I dont have a tank yet..
The only ones I have found for sale are a pretty big 11 gallon tank..
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1036853138.1123799475@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdcaddfgkhmimecgelceffdfgidglm.0&MID=9876

Id rather have something slightly small so that its out of the way.. and somewhat hidden..

I work for a company that does stuff with retirment homes, and came accross 2 old oxogen tanks.. they are big and sturdy.. id say a good 3 feet tall, with an 8'' diamiter.. I dont know how many gallons but with two.. should be enough.. are their anyways that I could use these? pro's cons of using two tanks?

Help me out here guys! I wana figure what I should do.. and start collecting for parts/fittings..

thanks

-Adam

[TheHighLife]

So.. recap on questions..

-What tank should I use?
-Where do I mount it?
-How do I put together the lines and fittings to the tank?
-Will the oxegen tanks work?
-Just the basic all around setup..

Thanks again

[keyice]

10 to 15 gallons mounted under the bed, hook up a check valve inbetween the tank and compressor to prevent starting with a load(shortens life expectance) hook up output of compressor to the check vavle to the tank. If your are really cheap you can use old propane cylinders, work good to about 300 psi Oxy cylinders can hold about 3500 psi, but most places fill to 2500, oh ya don't put straight oxy into tires unless I can watch you drive :devillook :devillook :ar15firin

[HOrunner]

I have been told although i hate to say it, lowrider magazines have good air tanks in different sizes that can be tucked from harm easily; but i havnt looked myself :redspotda

[seth]

Um, i don't know how pressures of 2500 psi came in but here you go
You can get a 7 gallon tank at any walmart for like 20 or 30 bucks
You'll need a T fitting, and some tube or copper pipe. You probably want pipe off the compressor, cause it gets really hot, and can blow up normal hose.
Then, you need a pressure valve, to automatically cycle the compressor when the pressure gets to high or low.
The check valve is probably more money than the compressor, so that one is your call.

[TheHighLife]

Thanks for all the responses..

-I think I will check out wall mart for that cheap smaller tank..

-Lower rider magazines was actually a really good idea that didnt even cross my mind, but.. that will be a last resort.. maybe good for you hardcore guys.

So the check valve basicly stop the air from coming from the tank.. back into the compressor? That sounds kinda neccasccary.. or at least something id like to have..

How does the pressure valve work? Is it like somesort of regulator? does it controll anything with the compressor.. ie:on and off.. or does it just controll air flows and amounts.

What is the t off of the compressor for?

Im new to compressors and air stuff.. so im trying to figure it out.. thanks for all the help.. Im off to home depot now for.. "work" :D so.. ill see if i can get a better idea of these valves and such..

Thanks again

-Adam

[seth]

The pressure valve is an electrical switch, the most common ones turn off at 120 psi, and back on at 90. You then wire your compressor from a switch, to the pressure switch and then into a realy.
The t is so you can have one line from the compressor to the t, another from the t to the tank, and a third so you can actually get to the air :grin: Most likey, a female quick disconnect.

[TheHighLife]

Thanks for all your help guys..

I manageds to find a 7 gallon air tank at walmart (thanks for the idea) for $19.99 how the hell do they make that shit for 20 bucks..

I picked up a few fittings and connectors just so I could see how this thing works.. and im pretty impressed.. iv got like $35 invested so far.. so ya cant beat it. haha

I found and old but nice (goodyear) air hose laying around my barn.. so im gunna use that for running to the tank.

Anyone have some ideas on where to find these valves? I think im just going to go with a check valve.. and wire the compressor into a in-dash switch.
Havent been able to find one at any of the local hardware stores.

The only thing im a little worried about it the compressor gets pretty hot.. whats a good way to cool down the end where the hose connects.. cuase i ran the thing for like 5 min.. and it got pretty damn hot.. Its got like 2'' of coper pipe off it now.. but.. it needs somethin..

-Where to find checkvalve?
-how to cool it down?

Thanks for all the help.

[seth]

Computer Fans run on 12V. Allelectronics.com has them, but it would be cheaper if you have an electronics store around. Only negative is that these are not water proof, as you might imagine(being from a computer and all). Radio Shack also sells 12V blower fans. The check valve, maybe a tool store (a good one), or an air - condtioning place?