On-board air

Anybody ever used one of those tire inflator hoses that runs from an engine cylinder to an airchuck ?

Having a heavy spare tire (31 X 10.50 X 15) on my rear rack, along with a 1/2 filled jerry can is greatly contributing to my suspension project. Leaving the spare tire at home and utilizing a compact hose along with a Safety Seal plug kit would take a lot of weight off the rear suspension.

Are these things practical or just Mickey Mouse ?

 

Thanks, Boyink.

Here's an interesting setup that would be great for those that regularly "air-down" when they go four-wheelin'...

Not practical for me though.....


http://www.la4x4.com/onboardair.htm

 

Mike,

That is very cool! Easy access, should stay relatively clean, I likey!!:twisted:

 

The bad thing about them is that you will be putting any unburned gas from your cylinder into your tire and petroleum products are baaaad for rubber products like tires and tubes. I'd stay away from them and go with an OBA system like the ones mentioned above. FWIW.

tommy b

 

That's not correct, at least for the units that I am familiar with and have used. The pump screws into a spark plug hole and contains a piston that is driven up and down by the engine power stroke. The other side of the piston has a slot intake (sort of like a 2-cycle engine) that takes outside air and compresses it. No air from the cylinder is drawn in.

They work, and fill your tires with clean air, but are very slow. About as slow as my $20 12V compressor from Target; about 10 minutes from 10 to 30 psi on one of my Golf tires. Better than driving on a flat tire.

 

$10 at walmart.

 

I have seen guys convert a a/c compresser it to a air compresser. It worked great and was verry fast. let me know if you are intrested and I will tell you how it was done.

 

i used my 10# Co2 for my primary air... i put it together for about $90 (to include full tank) call local fire extinguisher shops for a tank, they'll have mounting bracket too, ebay regulator for $30, about $10 for hose/fittings at home depot. airs tires up faster than any compressor and can run air tools on the trai.

my back up is my thomas air compressor...

http://www.earthroamer.com/main_truck/truck_air.html

 

I converted my york A/C compressor just like the write-up. I added a air tank under jeep from a dump truck for the added air supply. Piped air line to the driver rear and the passenger front. The only thing I paid for was the requlator. Works better then any plug in portable. My compressor comes on at 85 lbs. and shuts off at 120.