Air Compressor Question

[JFXG]

Nerdy, if you buy a diesel it will likely have an integral compressor. However....... if you need more than 95-100psi anywhere, using the onboard will require you to have three hands and seven thumbs to manipulate a kind of Rube Goldberg kluge to trick your compressor into kicking on when it thinks all is fine.

Alternatively, many buy a separate electric compressor and just be done with it. Buy something that will push 150psi so you'll get a flow rate that will add something to your tire in less than 15 minutes. I bought this one. $100 @ HF. Many are satisfactory.

[Ggrvusa]

I think I paid $18 to fill my Powertank. Just use it for tires and LP burners, occasionally something else that needs blowing out with compressed air.
I fill it at a shop that sells gases for soda fountains. I've also filled it at Matheson Tri gas, and some people go to shops that service fire extinguishers. The great thing about it is how quick it tops off tires and it's portability.

[gemini5362]

Originally Posted by Moonrover

Installed this one permanently in a front bay.

Makita Twin Stack Compressor — 2.5 HP, Model# MAC2400 | 2 - 9 CFM Air Compressors| Northern Tool + Equipment

Six years and not a whimper of a problem. Inflates bus tires, runs air tools, keeps bus air system up to pressure when parked for long periods. Brings air bags up and ready to go before starting the bus engine.

Since it is inclosed in a relatively sound contained area, the neighbors never crab about noise.

A friend of mine bought this air compressor. The advertisement is correct it is the quietest air compressor I have ever heard run.

[Dr4Film]

JMTCW, the 125 psi compressors just don't have the guts to fill up a 22.5 tire to 120 psi.

I first bought a Husky 125 psi and finally sold it and bought the 155 psi Husky. I now have no problems getting my tires to the desired psi, 105 for the fronts and 115 for the rears based on my weights.

Make sure you check the maximum psi for your tires and wheels. Most 22.5 tires max out at 125 but there are wheels which max out at 120 psi.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[NerdyNomad]

Originally Posted by Ggrvusa

I think I paid $18 to fill my Powertank. Just use it for tires and LP burners, occasionally something else that needs blowing out with compressed air.
I fill it at a shop that sells gases for soda fountains. I've also filled it at Matheson Tri gas, and some people go to shops that service fire extinguishers. The great thing about it is how quick it tops off tires and it's portability.

After you fill that tank 10 times, you've just spent enough to buy an air compressor. And I wouldn't be able to run air tools.

I like the idea of a Powertank as an emergency backup though. Definitely worth looking into.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

JMTCW, the 125 psi compressors just don't have the guts to fill up a 22.5 tire to 120 psi.

I first bought a Husky 125 psi and finally sold it and bought the 155 psi Husky. I now have no problems getting my tires to the desired psi, 105 for the fronts and 115 for the rears based on my weights.

Make sure you check the maximum psi for your tires and wheels. Most 22.5 tires max out at 125 but there are wheels which max out at 120 psi.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Richard, I'm curious about your pressures. We have the same rig and I somehow came up with 110 in the front and 100 in the rears. I think I got those pressures from a Goodyear chart (and added 5 lbs or so).

Joe

[NITEHAWK]

Keep in mind that if you need 95# in your tires and the compressor has an upper limit of--say 100#- it will take quite awhile to reach your desired 95#. That last few pounds is like getting close to the top of a very steep hill after the long traverse up from the bottom.

[trafman]

I had a craftsman compressor unit without a tank prior to buying the RV and tried using it, buy it was so noisy I could not tell if air was going into the tire. My compressor with 6 gallon tank is great at home but too big and heavy to drag on long trips. My solution was a tank from Harbor Freight. It is rated to 125psi, but the valve would bleed down to 120, so I taped the valve. It holds 125psi and I can add 3-4 psi to all 4 tires on one fill if needed. I run my tires at 86-88psi. The tank takes less space and is easier on my old back and I recommend it.

[Ggrvusa]

10 fills would rake more then 10 years. Speed and convenience, are why I love the powertank. It's not about $

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Richard, I'm curious about your pressures. We have the same rig and I somehow came up with 110 in the front and 100 in the rears. I think I got those pressures from a Goodyear chart (and added 5 lbs or so).

Joe

Joe,

It is really dependent on your actual corner weights and tire manufactures recommended tire inflation psi for those weights.

I run Michelin's in the front and Bridgestone's on the rears.

My most recent weights as of October 2012 are:

Total full weight of the coach.

Front = 13,200 lbs. With people and dog.
Rear = 23,200 lbs.

After doing the math here are my corner weights.

Left front = 6,500 lbs.
Right front = 6,700 lbs.
Left rear = 11,640 lbs.
Right rear = 11560 lbs.

The weights I had back in April of 2010 were:

Left front = 6,340 lbs. Without people and dogs.
Right front = 6,400 lbs.
Left rear = 11,080 lbs.
Right rear = 11,320 lbs.

Based on the inflation charts for both Michelin and Bridgestone, the fronts should be 100 psi but I always have a 5 psi safety margin. The rears are OK at 110 psi but again I add the extra 5 psi.

That's how I came up with 105 psi for the front and 115 psi for the rear.

I will be re-weighing my coach at the same place I did back in October 2012 when I head for Alaska in May of next year. Hopefully both the coach and my Rolling Garage will be lighter than they were in 2012.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Koop]

Originally Posted by Brockx

I'm real happy with this one. Weighs about 20 pounds, 150 psi, I only take it to 85 for my tires but it is fast. Got this at amazon, Sears has it also as a Craftsman, $100.


Edit

BTW, it is also low amp draw, runs off my outside plug. Generator or Campground current.

This. Works well. Cut in pressure at 125 psi fills my front tires at 110psi, no problem. Love it.

[alpha99]

i dont have a problem inflating my tires to 105 PSI using my built-in onboard compresser in my diesel pusher.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by alpha99

i dont have a problem inflating my tires to 105 PSI using my built-in onboard compresser in my diesel pusher.

You need this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5fK54DKWP0

[lllkrob]

Originally Posted by alpha99

i dont have a problem inflating my tires to 105 PSI using my built-in onboard compresser in my diesel pusher.

Looking for the correct air hose fitting to connect to the on-board connector, do you remember the fitting number you used?