Air tank

Submitted: Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 05:02
ThreadID: 30625 Views:3977 Replies:6 FollowUps:16
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Hi Boys and Girls

I went through the archives and found zip. I want to install a second air tank, I find the ARB compressor takes to long pumping 4 tyres back up. So if I put a nice big air tank in somewhere this should fix that problem right? Also will those ratchet guns work to take of wheel nuts in a couple seconds of that pressure? Will something like this be a easy thing to do myself without blowing myself into 4000 pieces and without mucking around with the air-lockers?

Thanks
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Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 06:39

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 06:39
Troll,

A air tank is not the answer. A better air compressor would be a good start.

The ARB air compressor was never design to to inflate tyres. They are good for what they do, and that is to operate the diff locks. A small amount of high pressure air.

To run a rattle gun a very big air tank would be required. They use a lot of air. I have a medium size air compressor at home and it does not take much for the air in the tank to run down so that the 240v motor is running.

There was a post not so long back about the 12v rattle guns, they might be the go.I have one and after I changed the socket to a impact socket it works well.

Another option would be the air compressor that runs off the motor Endless Air. They say they have enough air supply to run a rattle gun. I am going to be looking into them soon. I have no links with them nor have I used one.

I am running a Big Red and a old Blue Tounge. They both work well in pumping up tyres and even re seating a tubeless tyre on the rim.

Wayne
AnswerID: 154234

Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 08:09

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 08:09
So the rattle gun is probably not that good of a idea on air but the 12v might be better? I Think I might just get a Big Red as well I have heard nothing but good things on them....how long does it take to say take a tyre from 18psi to 32psi?

Thanks
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FollowupID: 408163

Follow Up By: Ken - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 08:13

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 08:13
I agre Wayne, the ARB compressor is far to low in output for this application. An ex-airconditioning compressor such as the Endless Air or one you can get from a wrecker will certainly run a rattle gun but you need to keep the motor running as these tools consume a fair bit of air at around 60 psi . You will need a tank too to keep the pressure somewhere near constant, and like even rattle guns run off large volume sources, never trust their tension as their power can fluctuate with such marginal air supplies.
I have a Big Red hooked to a stainless steel fire extinguisher for my tank now being unable to mount an airconditioner comp. on the 3 litre Nissan. It struggles with the rattle gun and is slower than doing it by hand but OK for tyres.
The fire extinguisher is one of those stored pressure types which operate at over 120 psi so they are quite safe and being stainless won't rust. They are light and can be fitted between the chassis rails of a GU and I would reckon most other mid to large 4WD's. I made a bar the width of the inner edges of the chassis and used one of the bull bar mounting bolts to secure it. It has a couple of lugs to support the tank and the tank is held to the bar with some really long worm drive stainless clamps [super sized radiator clamps].

Ken
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FollowupID: 408165

Reply By: PK Eildon (VIC) - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 08:10

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 08:10
This was on a post the other day

http://www.truckspring.com/air-tanks_259.html
AnswerID: 154241

Reply By: Robin - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 08:25

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 08:25
Hi Troll

If really serious you can't beat the C02 cannister method for blowing
multiple tyres up fast.

Second to this is Air Transfer hose sytem off another tyre/s, at $30 to build
its very practical but with safe pressures can usually only add 10-12 psi
to each of the other 4 tyres. (e.g. 18-->30)
This is what I use, and if really in a hurry I stick the compressor into
one tyre, whilst using the transfer hose to blow up the other 3,
this way it goes further.

Remember K-Mart do a 24lt air tank for $30 bucks. Like transfer hose
it also tends to limit you to around 10 psi per tyre before its dead.
While this can be used at 120psi it does put a strain on a compressor.

If really want to get the best using motor compressors at cheap price
plumb two of the $89 72 Lt/minute Big-W units together.
2 provides redundancy from low cost units and 144lt/min delivers the goods.

Wouldn't use an air rachet because of possible damage even though I change
wheels almost every week. I prefer to streamline the manual process.

Robin Miller
AnswerID: 154242

Follow Up By: Fanbelt - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 09:55

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 09:55
Hi Robin,

At the risk of hijacking this tread, how do you build the air transfer system?

Cheers,

Fanbelt
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FollowupID: 408191

Follow Up By: Robin - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 11:04

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 11:04
Hi Fanbelt

Had a few air systems but the gut practicality of this simple device
means it gets used more than the others.

Just get $15 trigger operated tire inflator mechanism from say K-Mart,
it even has a guage, add in 6m of blue air hose (not the curly cord)
and then your up to the hard part. Attaching the hose end to a normal
tyre valve. You can buy lots of cheap fiitings here that push on but
you really need a screw on to the spare tyre for reliability,

I got a short truck valve extension bit and cut end off. I think motorbike shops have metal extension bits to. Someone else may have better source for this part.

P.S. The Transfer hose works particularly well when you attach the other end to someone elses tyre.

Robin Miller

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FollowupID: 408207

Follow Up By: Fanbelt - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 11:45

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 11:45
Thanks Robin. Although I don't think I'll be parking next to you next time you need to air up!
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FollowupID: 408222

Reply By: Mulga Bill - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 08:48

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 08:48
With respect to other forumites and their views, I must say that not knowing the ARB compressor is no good for tyres has been great for me - been using it happily for years now and it does a fine job - mine is in the engine bay - many owners use them for nothing but tyres. ARB sell them in a toolbox kit too, just for tyre work. I added a PVC tank awhile back to increase the duration of "blow" when cleaning parts with a nozzle. We are often taking tyres up and down for different terrains - it may take a few minutes longer than some - most things do - but I never noticed it !!
AnswerID: 154246

Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 09:16

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 09:16
I don't have a problem with mine and it does the job fine but when I have to go from 18psi to 32psi it takes about 8 min a tyres....so was hoping for a quicker solutions...
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FollowupID: 408177

Follow Up By: Member - Luxoluk - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 10:11

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 10:11
Been using the ARB compressor for years and it does the job quite well. Mounted in the valley beside the roller drawers and is kept out of the dust and other muck. On a trip of any significance I don't have a problem with time, especially a few minutes longer in pumping up tyres. Of course I'd like a bot more air volume for reseating the tyre but hey I get there in the end and I still have change in my pocket and no lost space due to tanks etc.
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FollowupID: 408193

Follow Up By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 11:57

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 11:57
ARB ~35 lpm, Bushranger Maxair 72 lpm.

Take the above times and halve them....

With an 24l tank you should be able to do short bursts of a rattler

Rattlers usually use 6 cu ft/min (170 lpm) at 60psi.

24l tank at 110 psi (tank pumped up full)= ~44l at 60 psi

Add another bit from the compressor and you should have about 15-20 seconds of continuous running. (more than enough for a wheel change)

Best guess would be about 4-5 min recovery.
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FollowupID: 408229

Follow Up By: V8troopie - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 16:05

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 16:05
Mulga Bill, using a PVC tank for compressed air is a bit like playing russian roulette. I sincerely hope you are not anywhere near it when (not if!) it blows.
Get a steel tank like everybody else with a bit of common sense has .
Klaus
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FollowupID: 408299

Follow Up By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 17:20

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 17:20
Ideas like PVC high pressure air tanks are why "Innovators" are in short supply.....

Darwin award material for you (or one of your family, or anyone else that happens to be walking past...)
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FollowupID: 408321

Follow Up By: Ken - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 19:54

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 19:54
Hmmm, seems like taking the tyres up and down are not the only slow things out there ! Mulga Bill and his PVC pressure vessel would be a potential Darwin Award contender.
Ken
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FollowupID: 408358

Follow Up By: Mulga Bill - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 21:17

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 21:17
The "tank" is made from high pressure PVC 60mm tubing with chemical welded end caps - as in modern plumbing - about 5L capacity - the material is rated by the manufacturer way above the pump cutout - the "tank" is inside the bull bar - stick around and wait for it to blow if you like folks, but its been about 3 years now.
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FollowupID: 408371

Follow Up By: Mulga Bill - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 21:23

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 21:23
er..... just noticed that the ARB pump 'baggers' may not realise that this seemingly reliable performer is pressure limited with a 100psi cutout........
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FollowupID: 408372

Follow Up By: tex1972 - Saturday, Feb 11, 2006 at 21:33

Saturday, Feb 11, 2006 at 21:33
All the research I have done keeps telling me that rattle guns (Chicago Pneumatic) wont make thier max torque untill about 90 psi and using 4 to 5 gpm air and hi torque ones use up to 24 gpm at 90 psi
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FollowupID: 408452

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 09:44

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 09:44
The best solution is Endless Air - NOT cheap, but its the best.

Not much can beat it, except for the Air-Up setup but too costly for my liking.

Endless air with an old truck airtank you wont beat it, yes it will seat beads which can be handy.

It will also run rattle guns, but is changing a tire really that hard that you need a rattle gun??
AnswerID: 154258

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 09:46

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 09:46
Size: 35x12.5 R15
Pressure: 15-32 psi
Number of tires: 8
Time: 32 seconds
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FollowupID: 408187

Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 10:42

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 10:42
Now that thing looks cool...a bit hard justifying spending that kinda money...but I like it
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FollowupID: 408203

Reply By: Shaker - Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 15:32

Friday, Feb 10, 2006 at 15:32
K-Mart have air tanks with a guage for around $30.00.
AnswerID: 154310

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