Now you see it now you don't Air Compressor.

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This project has been a LONG time in fruition. I've wanted a air compressor on my truck since I turned it into a welding truck. But I didn't want a big compressor taking up space on the bed.  I've considered a lot of options over the years. Last year it came to a head and I decided it was time to do something about it. I originally though about running one off the engine of the welder using a electric clutch. I'd worked all the details out on how to do it but the problem was the only place for me to put it was behind the welder. This required a clockwise rotation compressor. Those are about as rare as hens teeth. I could of reversed a Quincy. But just the flywheel for the reverse would of cost close to $1k. Not in the budget. I considered different options but they where either to big, or to expensive.  I then started looking for electric compressors to be run off the welder. I could not find any that where compact and had the required air output. I don't need a lot of air but I do need to run a die grinder or small air drill every now and then. I finally decided I could manage to stash two of the 2 HP compressors in the truck. I even bought a nice 1800 rpm one to start the process (not many made that run this slow). Then while at HF right after buying the nice compressor I found they had there compressors on sale for $125 a piece (I got two for a lot less than I paid for the good compressor). I decided to just pick up two of them for the conversion. I don't use air that much and when I do it's often at the quarry which is dusty and murder on equipment. At that price I can buy another to replace or if they turn out not reliable enough I can get some more of the good compressors to replace them. But I don't use air that often on my truck. If I need a lot of air I've got a nice big compressor on a trailer.   Anyway I bought the two compressors about 14 months ago. It's taken me till now to finally get one mounted in the truck in my spare time.   I decided to go super simple on the latch. I wanted it to pull up tight and not stick out much.    I built it so that it draws cooling air in from the right side beside the baffle. The intake air filter is in there as well to keep the intake air cool. I used sound deadening foam to seal around the compressor and prevent hot air recirculation.  Now I've got to do the same to this side.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:NICE! Smart thinking!
Reply:Where's the tank at? U could build a bumper and have it be ur tank. Some guys run another air condition pump. Those are pump alot of air
Reply:Neat idea, I like it  out of the way and easy to get to www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by swampwelder13NICE! Smart thinking!
Reply:Nice. Hidden out of sight and harms way. I have had one of these ExtremeAire 12v Compressor in my Vehicle. Used it for running impact wrench to change tires and to fill up tires from 15psi to 35psi with ease.ScooterLincoln Weld-pak 155 - .030 Solid wire & 75/25 gas mixMiller Thunderbolt 225Hypertherm PM 85Thermal Dynamics cutmaster 38Gas ax with rose bud attachment
Reply:Originally Posted by ScootrNice. Hidden out of sight and harms way. I have had one of these ExtremeAire 12v Compressor in my Vehicle. Used it for running impact wrench to change tires and to fill up tires from 15psi to 35psi with ease.
Reply:I am thinking of onboard air too. I have a PTO, I figured I could use a hydraulic pump to drive an assortment of tools. I could run air compressor, I could run a generator....all kinds of things. Heck, even a second alternator.I already have two 12volt compressors that are connected to two 5 gallon tanks. I never even hooked up the second one. the first one did a decent job.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:I've considered hydraulics as well. Even got all the stuff to do it stashed away. Just never had the time to install it.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixitNice little unit but a bit much and still to low on air output to do what I needed.   These are the best 12 volt air compressors I've ever seen. I know a local farmer who uses them. But they're still a bit on the big side and draw a lot of juice. http://www.12-voltair.com/
Reply:You can run a impact off them if you have a air tank. Just have to wait for air to build up between uses. I was fairly impressed with the ones I saw. I don't remember what they cost buy I know they're not cheap.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:LOL, these cotton farmers don't seem to flinch much at price tags if it's something they want. At least around Childress.I am pretty sure the ones I know that have them have it plumbed into a tank hidden somewhere.
Reply:There's a few like that around here as well. Though most them up here that spend like that have wells on there land. It's easy to be a farmer when it's oil subsidized. Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:I've seen a number of trucks that use the double narrow cylinders from air brake systems under the body for air storage. They are small, compact, readily available used and inexpensive, as well as already come set up to attach to the frame and rated for air pressures most compressors will put out..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I have a couple of those I was going to use. The problem was that they where about 6" to long to fit where I had room for them. I ended up using the tanks that came with the compressors though I don't really like them (they're not that well built).  I actually have lots of room behind the rear axle to mount tanks. The problem is that I also have plans for that area. I want to build a drawer to go in there that's big enough I could put a suitcase feeder in, as well as my cordless drill, and impacts. Get some of the junk out from behind the seat of my truck at least.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Get you a steel scuba tank and mount it under there. Typical rated pressure is 3300 psi so you could use it for decades without worry. The primary regulator may be expensive.I have my old scuba gear, maybe I should scavenge it for a portable air tank...By the way, I really like the hidden compressor and tanks.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Now you have to hide the welder
Reply:What size tanks you got?Scuba tank is a good idea that thing would never get crushed. I don't think u could cram to much air in it tho with a normal motor pumping out 150 psi. That pump fits in the niceley tho!
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelGet you a steel scuba tank and mount it under there. Typical rated pressure is 3300 psi so you could use it for decades without worry. The primary regulator may be expensive.I have my old scuba gear, maybe I should scavenge it for a portable air tank...By the way, I really like the hidden compressor and tanks.
Reply:Yeah, they will be a little small but with an onboard on-demand pump they should be ok. I actually don't have any tanks (when i quit diving that was the first thing i got rid of). Still have bcd and regs.Standard tanks are 80 cf but at rated pressure so much less than that at 150 psi.Maybe it would be better to stick with lighter tanks like the ones for air brakes or the duals from portable compressors like DSW mentioned.I'll ask my hydro tester if they have anything like this for sale next time I'm there.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:The thing is that sometimes I need bursts of a lot of air. I wanted the largest tanks I could fit.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:U will need bigger then 16 gallons if u plan on using impact and and air grinder with cut off wheel Alot. Or u will have to be running it alot. A impact at 60 psi is not very strong. If ur gona make ur own I think a cylinder is the best shape to get so it won't expand as much. 3/8 or bigger. Why not just use your tires as the tanks
Reply:While I do have air tools that use a lot of air. I generally don't have them on my truck. I've got cordless impacts for when I need a impact in the field. I do use a die grinder with a carbide burr some as well as a little right angle air drill I need sometimes. Those are my main air hogs. I already know that one of these compressors doesn't keep up with the die grinder very well. I knew that from the start. I'm hoping that two of them will keep up well enough to use it though. I believe they will. I could run the die grinder for about 20-30 seconds on one of these compressors with one tank before waiting a similar amount of time for it to build back up to a usable level. It won't be perfect but should do the little that I need to do with them. Most of the time I'm just using the die grinder in short bursts anyway.  Like I said if I really need air in the field I've got a nice 80 gal compressor on a trailer with a Champion compressor and Honda engine. It keeps up with most of my tools well enough. It might have trouble with some of my larger drills but I can wait for it to build up if I have to.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Ya u should be good with 2 motors. Those pistons kits are dirt cheap.
Reply:These aren't the oilless version so I'm hoping I won't have to much trouble with pistons. I would never buy a oilless compressor.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htmYa your good then. I bought a 15 gallon craftsman new about 8 years ago. And use it all the time and it finally started acting like **** a few months ago. I took it apart to see whats going on and the leather piston ring blew up. Maybe the piston to I forgot. The kit was 36 bucks came with gaskets piston ring rod and rod bearing. Oil ones are way quiter to.
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixitNice little unit but a bit much and still to low on air output to do what I needed.   These are the best 12 volt air compressors I've ever seen. I know a local farmer who uses them. But they're still a bit on the big side and draw a lot of juice. http://www.12-voltair.com/
Reply:Yeah it's not smart but I've seen a fair number things hooked that way. They've been in business for a long time so I wouldn't hold my breath. Farmers are a different breed.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Actually the specs. on the belt drive compressor from Extreme look good.  Has anyone has used one of those?  The tire service we use at work has a hidden compressor that is hydraulic driven off the PTO.  The compressors big enough to run the 1" impact put out a lot of air and cost accordingly.
Reply:It does look like decent specs in a small package. I wonder about how long it would last in heavy service. It's just a modified air conditioner compressor and that type has a lot of moving and rubbing parts in it.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:On the last truck I had, I used 2 York ac compressors under the hood and a piece of 12" PVC with end caps for the tank. It went up high between the frame and was almost the lenth of the bed. On this truck I use a bottle of CO2. I like the CO2 better than the air compressor
Reply:I tried using a CO2 tank once. But my regulator wasn't able to keep up with a die grinder very well. I had a pretty good sized regulator on it but apparently not big enough.   I wish I had room on the truck for a CO2 tank and a propane tank. I could use both in the field on occasion.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm