OBA -> On Board Air Mega Thread & BS

So your telling me barb fittings are better then DOT Compression or PTC fittings? If you melt a line, etc with DOT tubing its a simple union fix and your done! Use PTC or carry some spare ferrules. Standard air hose from your garage is not the long term solution for a compressor leader hose.

 

Here is a prime example of why you should use SS braided leader hoses. Even DOT Nylon with a compression fitting would be better then air tool hose, barbs and hose clamps. I've seen DOT tubing melt like this as well in high duty cycle air ride suspension applications.

 

might have had that issue with ss braided leader hose and then air tube after it....

 

Using DOT lines with compression fittings?

 

YEP. Had a nice set of balloons on there. :jawdrop:

 

Well it looks like its time to discuss the proper way to plumb an air compressor.

NOTHING should be connected within 4 inches of the compressor head except hard line. There should be NO sharp angles for another 12 inches after that. This is to prevent heat build up which damages hoses, and is why the hose in the picture shown failed. All a stainless braided hose is going to do is HIDE the damage that is happening. (i've seen this happen) Stainless braided hose is basically the same hose that I am using with a braided sheath over it. It provides slightly higher burst pressure, better abrasion resistance, but does nothing to dissipate heat. It is also more difficult to repair when it does go wrong.

As for the DoT line. Like I said, I am building this truck to travel. In America I can get standard air line barb fittings just about anywhere. Home depot, lowes, harborfreight, walmart, target, k-mart, etc. Now look at Mexico, or Canada. Pretty much the same availability, now look for dot fittings... their availability is much more limited.

In the end the compressor in no way affects my safety. What it comes down to is this is a simple compressor that get used a couple times a month. It has been on my truck for over two years and I have never had a problem with it. When my current project is complete it will be getting a little bit more use, and if I have a problem then I will address it, however I really doubt I will have to.

 

I did it the "right way"!?

 

Slightly higher burst pressure...way off

You can get air brake line pretty much anywhere/everywhere all big trucks can be found. Even buses have air brakes. In a pinch home depot and lowes have compression fittings that'll work. Just won't be DOT rated.

Maybe I'm a snob when it comes to air lines and compressor installs. Coming from building custom suspensions relying on such to keep the frame/body from dragging on the ground. (aka bagged mini truck scene)

 

Chris, I was going to echo what Aaron said on availability of DOT stuff. Those places are fewer and farther between than a Big box store, but not inaccessible. I do prefer the barbed approach. In my spares box, I carry enough to re-plumb the whole truck though.

Matter of fact, I HAVE seen some in a HomeDepot, but not in others. DOT fittings that is. Each store carries products specific to their target market they are in. Homer can vouch to that remark.

 

just tested out my a/c conversion compressor, took about 45 seconds to go from 15 to 30 psi on my 31x10.50 at about 1000rpm. Pretty pleased with that, it takes my buddy a good 5+ minutes per tire with his electric compressor to go from 15 to 30 psi. Now we'll just have Ta see how long it works.

edit: that's with no tanks on either setup

 

Wow that is sweet! I will have to do this eventually.

 

Hardlines are either stainless steel, copper or brass normally. You need a bender and a realistic expectation of price. Not terribly hard to do, just very time consuming. You will also need a flaring tool.

 

My fault. People do 'hard lines' for air. It is a term used in the 'bagged' scene.






You get the point. When I can afford the tools, I will be doing a hardline install on mine. Hopefully that will resolve any and all issues I have been having with the leaks.

 

To answer you directly on the brass fittings you are referring to. They will all work. No issues. Make sure you use Loctite 545 or similar to seal the fittings. All of the fittings at your local hardware store will too. Go to Home depot and sit in the aisle where all the Watts fittings are. They are all the same threads as our systems also. T's and all. If it works for water, It will work for air in 95% of the time. I am using a ball valve for my sprayer. No leaks from it. at all. If you look in the hardline links/ pics above, you can clearly see water fittings and valves in there.

 

Half the stuff I have on my OBA setup is off the shelf HD stuff. Good luck . Post pics as the project progresses.

 

Just for notes for anyone not wanting to change fittings.

Smittybilt compressors both use Japan (Nitto)Type Quick Coupler - One Touch Type quick connectors. If we need to get more.


http://www.air-pneumatic-fittings.c...Japan-Type-Quick-Couplers-One-Touch-Type.html

 

Where on the compressor is this? I haven't seen this typer before stateside.

 

I lied about the viair, it doesn't use a quick disconnect, post changed. I am using the smittybilt ones on RaleighTaco's viair

It's what the smittybilt uses to connect its open air chuck and Yellow coil hose.

Pictured is the modified hoses from my smittybilt for his viair. Temporary solution for big dogs trip.

 

AH. See, I am used to the 'National' standard fittings. Guess thats OUR Nation - Would be nice if the world went with only a couple STANDARD connector types for specific applications, then changed what the standard was due to a better design or innovation.

Notice that they work better? Or anything special about them? Looking on youtube right now for the pros and cons.

 

Nope nothing in particular that I see better. They're hard to get here, and they're not universal like the Home Depot ones I bought.
I've just got a lot of projects lined up so it's a temp solution until we can get unloader valves, plumbing, and pressure switch ordered and installed. Don't wanna blow up the compressor because someone plugged a closed hose into it.