OBA -> On Board Air Mega Thread & BS

This is what I'm getting for my rig.

 

Nice!

 

Thought you might appreciate this as well - some stuff I did for my MV90. I was hoping I would have more ideas... but oh well. The pressure switch addition is making me very happy.


Sky, for your mounting spot behind the tail light, is it only for small compressors?
Would you be concerned about weight?
I briefly read barlowrs setup, and he was concerned about paint melting and put up a heat shield - I'm thinking it's overkill, but what are the community's thoughts?

 

The weight issue is null. It is a steel plate/ bulkhead. As for heat. You are in a huge open space there. Most peoples compressors would turn off due to temp issues before they got hot enough to melt paint. The air flow under there should be fine.

That space can mount most of the different sized compressors on the market today. Looking at yours though. I would remove that big plate. For the bigger compressors, Use the passenger side plate. That way you would run into less issues of having to cut the cubby box.

 

I find myself going back and forth on this topic between An Air compressor w/ a tank & a CO2 Tank.

I find myself leaning toward the CO2 Tank. I plan on using it to fill tires, run some tools, and run a front locker when I regear. It seems to be a much simpler option.

 

My experience comes from paintball, and from what I see with CO2:
-when you're out, you're out. I wouldn't want that for lockers, and I'm not sure there's any setups using CO2 because of that.
- It wants to be liquid in cold temperatures and not expand, so you get less fills.
- It chills as it's escaping from the tank, so the tank gets cold, anything it's blowing into gets cold... Not only do you get condensation, but that's going to ruin anything rubbler, like o-rings or other rubber fittings.
-Anything above a 9oz tank needs to be hydrotested
-You can't fill it yourself

On the plus side, it's fast. Really fast.

The reason it works for tires (at least from what I can assume) is that it's filling faster than it can freeze, and tires can take the cold temperature.

I'm not sure why they don't have high pressure air tanks for offroad use. You still can't fill them unless you have a compressor that can do several 1000 psi, but it's incredibly better than CO2. No temp problems, consistent, easier to find a fill...

 

Either way, you are going to have to run the line, solenoid, and electronics. As stated above, When you are out, you are out. Even oif you spring a leak in a tank. You can disconnect the compressor and direct connect it to other things and it will still work.

 

I hear both of you. I guess my theory is how often does one use a front locker. How much air is required to activate it. I would bet a small co2 tank could run just front locker for a weeks worth of wheeling. If I ever did run out I could swap a different tank or still hook up a portable air compressor to get me through that particular trail. I guess I just don't wheel enough, but 1 20 lbs tank seems to last people for months. I have a electronic E-locker in the rear so OBA is not an issue there. Maybe I'll go nitrogen.

My only concern with compressors is they seem weak. What kind of CFMs can you all get from your systems.

 

CO2 can also cause valves to freeze open and such...You CAN fill your tank at home, I used to fill my 20oz CO2 canisters for paintball...

Nitrogen or scuba tanks is also another option.

 

Mine is around 4cfm.

You make valid points . I too have the E-Locker. Want to 'delete' it though and do dual air lockers.

To each their own. There are many correct ways. As long as it works when you need it to, then that is what counts. If it doesn't, well, we live and learn.

 

Trust me...these compressors can handle much more than what most offroad guys put them through. The mini truck scene...now thats a rough bunch of guys on compressors and they still have minimal issues.

 

exactly. look at them ground scrapers. They abuse the mess out of their gear. More so than any off roader I have seen.

 

Yeah both would get the job done. As long as it suits the OBA needs it's good enough.

What air tools are you planning on running?

 

Yeah, but most people aren't going to set up a fill station with a 50lb tank. You still have to load up the 50lb tank and drive it somewhere to get it filled. Not always a possibility for everyone.

OBA needs very little to work. It's harder to pump your tires. The hardest struggle would be air tools, and they do make offroad compressors for that. Before you get crazy, decide if you really need to be running air tools. A spare socket set, an 18" breaker bar, and other hand tools does 90% of what most folks are up against. A cordless impact wrench is about all I could see adding, but that's just spoiling yourself.

 

Very true... my main use will be to fill my 35s. Air zenith 4.25CFM 100% duty with only 35amp draw should fit the bill nicely. Still debating on a 1 or 2 gallon tank or just running the stainless leader to a manifold block and plumbing DOT 5/8"line for more residual air in the lines

 

mine is 6.16CFM

 

take a peak at my system a page or so back. I plan on using an impact, sander, paint gun, nail gun, cut off wheel , and a nibbler. As well as tires and lockers. My goal is to be able to run anything and do whatever a shop can. My skill level will be my only hinderance.

I have a cordless impact, as well as all my manual tools. I like to be prepaered

 

You win...

 

At what pressure though...lots of smoke and mirrors when it comes to CFM ratings on compressors.