98chilipepperxj

Ok, I have a air suspension seat compressor and tank from a dump truck that my pops is saying I can use it for my oba system. Has anyone ever done this with one of these. Never built an oba and I'm on a budget. Any insight? Thanks!

Cnwxj

How big is the compressor? If you add a tank it may be useful. If it's too small, it'll take forever to air up a tire. I had 2 1/4hp compressors, took 5 minutes to fill a 5 gallon tank to 100psi.

Bugout4x4

I don't see why it wouldn't work, A compressor is a compressor. I am actually considering doing this to my 97. I like my stock lower center of gravity when on the highway because it corners like a sportscar but would also enjoy being able to pump some air into axle to frame air bags and get more clearance when needed offroad.

andrewmp6

You can but how big is the compressor and tank tho?If its just for the seat only its a tiny compressor and tank and will take a week to pump up a tire and air tools are out the window on that.

XJwonders

if it is too small, forget it. Consider and look into converting your AC compressor into an OBA

Bugout4x4

I did this a few times and ran into lubrication issues, they didn't last very long. But the old Chrysler cast iron V twin AC compressors do a fine job as an air compressor because they have their own oil supply in the crankcase with an actual gear oil pump and galleys to the journals and bearings like a car engine


I converted the V 4 Thermoking AC compressor in my 3 axle coach into an air compressor, But it too has it's own lubrication system like the old Chrysler pumps. Now this puts out some air! It is double belt driven off of the 8V 71 Detroit Diesel

Fred/N0AZZ

Just hook it up to a battery/setup with a air hose, then deflate your tire and see how long it takes to fill it up, or burn up. Before you try for an install in your XJ it may be OK who knows.

98chilipepperxj

Thanks for the input. It's my dd and I live in texas so converting my a/c is not an option. And running duals is too much $$$. The compressor is a little bigger than the 12 volt compressor you get at 4w parts. The tank is a 1 gal plus I will be adding my 3 gal inline with it. I will temporarily hook it to my battery to test the power this weekend.

andrewmp6

Look on the compressor for a cfm number on it.But if its that small i doubt it would ever fill up a 3 gallon tank.

Fred/N0AZZ

Like Andrew said check the CFM then go to the Viar web site and look there to see what they are rated at to get an idea if it will work or not.


I have a portable Viar and it fills a 35x12:50 tire in less than 4 min if completely flat, don't expect that from yours maybe 15-20 min at best.

98chilipepperxj

It isn't printed on it anywhere..

Bugout4x4

If it's for an air seat the CFM isn't going to be much. Having it on a decent sized reservoir will help. We used to weld up bumpers that had a thick wall pipe air tank incorporated into them and held about 5 gallons. Once the tank was full it would fill a tire up in no time from the reservoir. We would put on an on/off switch and an adjustable pressure shut off switch so that we could build up the tanks while driving when we thought it might be needed. Suspension will not use that much and the bags would be the reservoirs unless you install height regulation valves that release the air from the bags all the time to maintain a certain height like trucks do, this takes a lot of air to work correctly.

Bugout4x4

Anyone ever heard of a Vacuum Air Compressor? The old Cadillacs and LaSalles had them for air suspension. They worked very well but had issues with the Diaphragm materials at the time.

98chilipepperxj

Ok, just to clear it up I won't be using it for air suspension. Just airing tires after the trail I have the 3 gal and 1 gal tank hooked up together now. Just need to get the compressor up and running.

Bugout4x4

Sorry for the mistake man...Your "Title" was misleading from the get go Like Fred said, It will slowly get the job done if it doesn't burn up first because of how long it is asked to run in doing this.