Home made air compressor

That's admitting defeat before even playing around. I believe the hummer has a similar system and have seen them selling here in the states for around $845. So if I can get second hand or excess parts I may be in with a shot.

That would be bending to the big supliers. Want a project to work on. Never know, may even be able to pull it off.

Col,

Great fall back option if I fall on my face. But I wnt to give it a go anyway. I know they have a similar version here (US) on the market. Don't want to reverse engineer it, just build something for the sake of it.

Now we are talking. I thought that would be the case with a starter motor. I am thinking about a flex coupling to cut down on size and weight. Starter motor draws a large current over such a short period. I believe the YorK AC compressors will provide a continuous duty cycle for pumping tyres etc. so I'm thinking a winch motor would be a better option as the speed is not as important. They must make a DC motor that will do the job. For home use an old drier motor may work - 240V is the problem. If your mate is interested I'd love to get in touch and share ideas. Who knows - may put ARB out of business in the future.

Try this for option 2. I can purchase the compressor for the air suspension on a cadillac for $15. Team that up with an old fire extinguisher under the tray of my ute and away we go. Has temp cut out etc already built in and no hurry to fill the cylinder. Priced all the parts and reckon I can do it for 60 bucks for a cheapy. I've seen this with my own eyes. Pumps up the roll cage on a jeep and easily reinflates the tyres after driving on sand. So for the doubters, where there's a will there's a way. Just really looking at the challenge of making something like this work. Will it be the next 4WD craze, probably not. But a good fun project.

Cheers and thanks for the encouragement.

Craig

Jolls,
Option two sounds good, a truck air tank may be better as it has the relief valve and water drain, cheap from the wreckers.
The third pump my mate is building will be direct drive, no belt, using a 12 volt motor used on hydraulic pumps. This motor has a five minute duty cycle so when it is finished we will do tests comparing all three types. He is retired and enjoys tinkering, not interested in going into production, not fun any more.
Scooby

jolls, engineering is good fun. A couple of comments to throw in the ring. If you can manage it, an AC compressor IS the quickest way to go. If you are going to drive it electrically try to reduce the load by getting a small compressor (of small car), and using a type that is easier to drive ie. there are scroll, rotary piston, parrallel piston to name a few...couldnt tell you which is better, possibly a small rotary 5 piston.
Also have you thought about a fridge compressor (12v), these are often thrown out when the gas leaks out, but the compressor still works. The volume would be very small (if time isnt an issue), the unit is sealed, runs quietly, you could mount it practically anywhere, and they pump quite a large pressure (I beleive 300psi+).
Compressors that adjust suspension as above are not designed to run for anything other than the time it takes to adjust a very small air volume after a load change, so therefore its life would be severely shortened by continuous running. Price is good though, the Ford Fairmont and Fairlane 88 onwards use a similar system, I think the compressor is mounted in the front RH fender.
As mentioned above, truck air tanks are the best option for air storage, they come in all sizes. Another is out of date LPG cylinders from a recycling yard.........dozens of them.
Would be interested in what you decide to do.............................col

Jeff,

I have a ute so no real issues under the tub, plenty of vacant space. I've looked at the blue tongue and several other off the shelf compressors. I think they are great pieces of kit. This is a project for fun so I'm prepared to play around a little. I hope to mount the compressor back there or make it portable, depending on the size I come up with.

Thanks for tha advice.

Cheers

Craig

Gary,

For the hell of it. A little bit of self satisfaction!

Cheers

Dozer,

Second time I've heard of them being available commercially. So obviously viable, probably more expensive, heavier and therefore hasn't cornered the market.

Thanks. I'll keep searching the web.

Cheers

Stuart,

Thanks. Couldn't find the email address though. My concern with using a starter is heat. So I would love to hear how you get on. Direct coupling is certainly the way to go for size and weight, gearing may also be a good option to keep the heat down. I'm thinking a winch type motor where you could reverse the gearing to drive the pump. Even a direct drive at a slow rate may be OK if it is mounted under the tub of the ute. The thing could fill up remoted air tanks at a slow rate; the stored air then used for any fast fill requirements. For a continuous air situation, and therefore portability is an option, I think the motor is the key, something light enough to drive it and yet able to dissipate the heat. I'll keep you in the loop as I investigate further. You sound as though you enjoy tinkering as well.

Thanks for your insights.

Cheers

Craig

Bob,

Thanks for the encouragement. Hadn't thought of that as an option. How big are these animals?

Cheers

Craig

John,

Thanks very much for you advice. Would he mind discussing with me his experience? If so I'd love to be put in touch with him. The bearing are an excellent idea. I see it all coming together as a coherent plan. This place is a gret place for advice, will certainly join when I return to Oz in January. Look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers

Craig

Neil,

Now that is an idea I hadn't considered. I don't have the new car yet, waiting to return to Oz in January, but will certainly see if the PTO is an option. We use flex drives for military applications in some of our boats so know how strong and flexible they can be. Amazing what a bit of lateral thinking can come up with.

Thanks heaps for that one.

Cheers