Onboard Air

[DMNHNTR]

Looking to put the ARB CKMA12 Air Compressor in my truck. Not running power tools. Just tire inflation, camping needs, and the occasional dusting off the interior. I know the compressor will be enough for my needs, my question is should I add a 0.5-1 gallon air tank to go with it.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Mikey01]

I will tell you what I think, if you do a build thread.

 

[DMNHNTR]

I will tell you what I think, if you do a build thread.

Build thread for this install or my entire truck build?

 

[Ol'Baditude]

If you want to do anything that's going to require a sustained blast of air - like running air tools or blowing dust off a surface - you would require a tank to hold a volume of compressed air to facilitate that.
For inflation, you would not. So the answer to your question is probably no, but I guess it depends how much weight your putting on being able to dust things off.

 

[Hellamatic]

I'd put a tank in. You can get pretty trick ones in a variety of sizes if you source through lowrider suppliers. I've had good luck with Airslamit.com

 

[Mikey01]

Build thread for this install or my entire truck build?

The installation of the compressor.
I would use the tank so your compressor doesn't have to work as hard that way.

 

[CSix]

I had a 3 gal in a Jeep... it was used as it ran tools. I have that same compressor in my Trail (see my build) and I will probably put a small tank in somewhere when I get the time, for the reasons listed above.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

What exactly are your needs? If you're just actuating lockers or an air horn; that's probably enough with a 1 gallon tank.

If you're trying to fill up tires or run tools you'll need a larger on-board tank. The Air Compressor you linked is a 50% Duty Cycle system, so it will need a tank if you're running it for long periods of time (i.e. filling up tires back to back or running air tools) to have a buffer from over working the compressor.

 

[kboxvegas]

A 50% duty cycle should be fine for airing up tires. Just means that you should not run it for more than 30mins per hour. I am in the process of putting together an on-board air system using a single Viair 444C which is basically a 480C (100% duty cycle) for $140. If you do end up getting a tank, make sure you get a decent one way valve.

 

[Ol'Baditude]

Good lord, it's a CKMA12. You don't need an air tank to run lockers or air up all four tires of any common size from offroad to highway pressure in single go.
A typical 33" tire will take ~3-4mins to inflate; multiply that by 4 and you're ~16mins for all four tires. I've seen this compressor complete this task by itself on countless occasions, and even on 35" tires aired up from almost 0 -35 psi.

 

[96r50]

As mentioned above, the only reason to install an air tank is if you're doing something that requires short bursts of air at a higher rate of CFM than the compressor can supply. Filling up tires, running air lockers, and blowing dust don't require a tank. Using air tools such as an impact gun or air ratchet will require an air tank as they use a large volume of compressed air (CF) in a short period of time (M) and most if not all tankless electric air compressors can't keep up with the CFM demand. The only other benefit of an air tank is having stored air available without running the compressor but with the tank volumes we're talking about here (<5gal) it's really not adding much usable capacity.

Having a tank does not reduce the load on the compressor either. The compressor load depends on how much air it has to pump to achieve your desired results. Getting your 33" tires from 16psi to 32 psi is going to require the compressor to pump a certain volume of air every time. Adding a tank might let you get a small head start on it but the compressor will still have to pump the same total volume of air into the tires (and then refill the tank). Using smaller tires (less internal volume) would reduce the load on the compressor as it doesn't have to pump as much as it would to fill larger tires, but where's the fun in that?

TL;DR: Keep things simple and skip the tank.

 

[DMNHNTR]

Thank you for all the feedback. I am taking all these things into consideration. So if I had the tank to help run air tools or things that require short bursts of air, but would not need it to fill tires, would it be worth the trouble to make the tank bypassable for those situations?

 

[reidbailey]

Thank you for all the feedback. I am taking all these things into consideration. So if I had the tank to help run air tools or things that require short bursts of air, but would not need it to fill tires, would it be worth the trouble to make the tank bypassable for those situations?

While you may not need a tank to air tires, it won't take away from the performance, only enhance it. Most you'll notice is the compressor running to fill the tank before it reaches pressure and shuts off. This obviously takes longer than without.

 

[wfo9]

I have that compressor mounted in my truck to run my air lockers. I also have a quick connect T on it for misc air needs.

It actually includes a small manifold (the round silver part) and a pressure switch that regulates (80 - 100psi)

It's fine for small quick stuff. Like airing up a single tire... or topping off all 4. But for airing up all 4 from fully aired down.. I use a portable compressor that can move about double the CFM for about half the price.... If I have someone helping me I will actually use both ;-)

I honestly think a portable is a better way to go if you do not need to run air lockers.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Sorry, they're right; had a different time base in my head for duty cycle.

 

[BobsTrail]

CO2 Tank

CO2 - 30 Second fill from 15 to 35, no squatting beside each tire for 2-4 minutes. Home brew, 1/2 the price of a PowerTank.

______________________________

 

[ur2ez22]

For everything you're saying you want to do, it'll be fine. If you lack patience like me, then pay the difference you would for a tank and get the ARB twin compressor. 100% duty cycle, if you ever want to do more you'll have it, and it airs up all 4 of my 33" tires from 15lb to 40lb in less than 10 minutes.

If you're patient...stick with the single, no need for a tank for what you're saying you want to do.

 

[Ol'Baditude]

Which compressor are you running?

I have that compressor mounted in my truck to run my air lockers. I also have a quick connect T on it for misc air needs.

It actually includes a small manifold (the round silver part) and a pressure switch that regulates (80 - 100psi)

It's fine for small quick stuff. Like airing up a single tire... or topping off all 4. But for airing up all 4 from fully aired down.. I use a portable compressor that can move about double the CFM for about half the price.... If I have someone helping me I will actually use both ;-)

I honestly think a portable is a better way to go if you do not need to run air lockers.

That's the way!

30 Second fill from 15 to 35, no squatting beside each tire for 2-4 minutes. Home brew, 1/2 the price of a PowerTank.

______________________________

 

[Miguelon]

View attachment 155849Looking to put the ARB CKMA12 Air Compressor in my truck. Not running power tools. Just tire inflation, camping needs, and the occasional dusting off the interior. I know the compressor will be enough for my needs, my question is should I add a 0.5-1 gallon air tank to go with it.
Thanks in advance.

Love my Power Tank! Had it with me this week at the 2015 Toyota Lone Star Jamboree. Came in handy .....we used the air ratchet and grinder to help a guy swap out his bumper. Another Runner was able to change his rotors. All of this right in the middle of camp with no power. It also mounts well on the rear tire carrier of the Shrockworks bumper.



Something to consider...when I was at FJ Summit last Summer. many compressors would not work once we got above 10K feet. Had zero issues with my Power Tank and we were almost 13k feet up.

 

[DMNHNTR]

I got it earlier this week. Almost finished with the install. I had to order a steel braided line and some 90 degree fittings to get the connect ore where I want it. I will run it like this for awhile and see how she handles my needs. Can add the tank later if I need it. Thanks again for all the advice.