Community Forums

sdennislee · 12-25-2011, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVTotem

Using fast idle while airing up would fit that requirement since it will take a while. The process will be speeded up by having a partner pump the brakes to bring the tank pressure down to engage the compressor when tank and tire pressure start to reach equilibrium.

I gave up on that process and bought a portable compressor. It takes far less time.

I run my tank up to 120 to 130 psi, take care of the 3 tires on the curb side in just a few minutes, something like 5 to 7 lbs per tire. I have a bleed off valve adjacent to the inflator so as I am moving the hose to the road side I bleed the tank so the compressor kicks in, repeat the process on the road side. I can have one side done before my old Porter Cable pancake compressor had its tank filled up.

Literally 15 minutes start to finish, includes rolling the hose up and putting it away.

It would be an interesting experiment to look at the various Class A tank sizes and compressor CFM ratings.

I'm guessing it has more do to with tank volume. I fill the tank to somewhere around 120 to 130 psi, put say 5 lbs in each of 3 tires (22.5) and I am still above 110 psi. I run 105 psi front, 95 psi rear.

It seems to vary widely between manufacturers. I know many people who have good results with their onboard compressors and I've met others who would struggle to top off a tire.

For me, I don't have to do it often. At home I use the big garage compressor. On the road I use the coach's obviously. Even if it took a few minutes longer, I like saving the space and weight.

sdennislee · 12-25-2011, 11:46 PM

Rook,

Glad to hear you got the tire inflator working with onboard compressor.

sdennislee · 12-25-2011, 11:57 PM

Rook, I don't have your coach but when I set mine I have to hold the accelerate switch for a few seconds to get ti to hold. On my coach tapping accelerate is resume, to set a speed/rpm i have to hold it. This true for me whether driving or idling.

SVTotem · 12-26-2011, 06:58 AM

Sdennislee,
I think you are right about differences in coach tank volume. Your sounds much more effective than mine. I had trouble getting more than a couple pounds in a tire without cycling the compressor

Have a dump valve at the air chuck sounds like a great addition. How about sharing how you built that. I am sure that would be a big help to others using the onboard system. I would add it to my hose since I consider my onboard system as a back up.

Thanks for the tip.

sdennislee · 12-26-2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVTotem

Sdennislee,
I think you are right about differences in coach tank volume. Your sounds much more effective than mine. I had trouble getting more than a couple pounds in a tire without cycling the compressor

Have a dump valve at the air chuck sounds like a great addition. How about sharing how you built that. I am sure that would be a big help to others using the onboard system. I would add it to my hose since I consider my onboard system as a back up.

Thanks for the tip.

Here are a couple pictures (bottom of post) of the rig.

I was able to top off the rear duals in one compressor cycle. Bleed the system below 90 psi and topped off the front tires. It took about 10 minutes total, then another 10 minutes experimenting with different lock on air chucks.

Total cost $71.00 not including the digital tire inflator, I had it laying around the garage. I think it was $60.00 when I bought it from Snap-On. You can buy a nice inflator for under $30.00.

Stores in less space than the pancake compressor did no where near the weight of a compressor.

1) I start with an air filter connected to the coaches air outlet,
2) then 50' of 1/4" poly hose (very small when rolled up),
3) then to an in-line bleeder valve, this allows me to bleed the system below 90 psi to cause the compressor to kick on if needed. This is simpler than having the DW pump the breaks to bleed the system down. This is necessary if the system pressure falls below desired tire pressure. If this happens the tire with greater pressure will back flow to the compressor, causing the tire to lose pressure
4) then to a pressure gauge that allows me to monitor the coaches air pressure, I watch this gauge to let me know when there is sufficient pressure to inflate the tire,
5) digital tire inflator,
6) then 2nd inline bleeder, this allows me to let air out of the tire should I miss my mark and over inflate,
7) 12' of lead to allow me to stand a safe distance (12') back along side the coach,
8) swivel, so when I am 12' away the pull on the hose turns 90 degrees to reduce strain on the lock on air chuck,
9) lock on air chuck with open check, an open check is important as it allows air in the tire to flow back to the inflator gauge to produce a tire pressure reading.

Here is the video link where I got the idea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDOqC...layer_embedded

The 1/4" poly hose (Hitachi), air filter and fittings came from Lowes.

The in-line bleeder valves (in-line blow guns) and lock-on chucks are from MSC Industrial

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...MTERM=59546895

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...MTERM=00577445

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...MTERM=00577353

The in line bleeders are actually in line blow guns. The added advantage of using a blow gun is that I can blow debris out of my TPMS sensor before reinstalling if needed.