Outer Limits 4x4 Board

hi
is it actually possible to change air conditioning compressor to air compressor to inflate my tires. if yeas what it takes.

yes it is possible! all depends on what type of ac compressor u have!

Yes, it is possible, but it's not always very successful. It depends on what type of pump you have.

Vane compressors are now the most common and they don't convert well.

Axial piston compressors convert quite successfully (Sanden are the most common) but will still need to be oiled. I believe "endless air" compressors are Sanden pumps with different seal material and a grease nipple fitted in place of running oil in the supply air.

York piston compressors are the best option - they require no modifications and will deliver 9 cfm @ 3000rpm for years and years.

If you have a vane compressor, I wouldn't bother trying to convert it. It will have a short, oily, messy life.

Steve.

can be done very easily as iv been in the minitruck scene for nearly 10 years i know countless guys that run an a/c comp instead of a 12v pump they work well so long as there maintained they are nowhere near as efficient as a dedicated properly designed air compressor but can work well..

Sorry, oyamum, but how has this helped? tufftruckin & myself have provided some specific information. I have run a York piston A/C compressor for years as an air compressor. I also tried running a Denso vane style compressor for pumping tyres. I set it up with an oiler on the intake side. After very little use it became so slow and hot it was pointless.

You'll need to provice some actual information about which pumps modified in which way to add to this thread.

And in any case, what does "not as efficient as dedicated properly designed air compressor" mean? Most dedicated properly designed air compressors deliver less than 2cfm at 100% duty cycle. Just how efficient are these converted pumps you are talking about?

Steve.

I'm using a sanden SD510. with the sandens you need to pull the head off and modify the valve plate to stop the grease u put in it to lubricate for entering your air lines , tank , locker ect

It is a simple process that anyone with basic tools can do. you will need to but a 1/8 UNF grease nipple! they are hard to find as most grease nipples come in NPT & BSP.
here is a link to a write up someone has done on doing the mod to the valve plate!

http://www.grungle.com/endlessair.html

tufftruckin brings the tech!

Nice!

Steve.

tufftruckin wrote:I'm using a sanden SD510. with the sandens you need to pull the head off and modify the valve plate to stop the grease u put in it to lubricate for entering your air lines , tank , locker ect

It is a simple process that anyone with basic tools can do. you will need to but a 1/8 UNF grease nipple! they are hard to find as most grease nipples come in NPT & BSP.
here is a link to a write up someone has done on doing the mod to the valve plate!

http://www.grungle.com/endlessair.html

Sorry tufftruckin that sight for me comes up as a forbiden sight?! is that me or is it the link?

Cheers, Dave

Opens fine for me and it's an awesome write up.

Steve.

ill be watchin this one!

the Familybus is due for some on board air!

No matter how tempting a vane compressor may appear ( i.e. its available as an OE fit.... ) i'd suggest your not going to be happy.

During normal operation they pass significant quantities of oil through the compressor to provide tip sealing and lubrication. Normally they use a small bypass internally to circulate some lubricant directly but the rest just circulates through the AC system. As the system is closed nothing gets lost.

However for non AC uses if you put enough oil through them to seal / lubricate successfully then your going to end up with heaps of oil in your receiver/tyres ( in fact everywhere... ). I also tried a separate oil separator and pressure return back to the suction. It was a nightmare to try and get the circulation right and it also varied depending on engine speed.

Ended up a complex system that didn't work - would carbonize the oil at low feedback rate and waste air at higher settings. I hate electric compressors - but compared with my vane installation they are perfect, and that's saying something.

I haven't seen a screw type used but from my understanding they also rely on oil for tip sealing, so i'd bet against them.

Traditional or axial piston systems seem to be by far the most sucessful.

MightyMouse wrote:
I haven't seen a screw type used but from my understanding they also rely on oil for tip sealing, so i'd bet against them.

given that screw type compressors are used in high flow air compressors in industrial applcations they may actually be a good option

Yes i see your point, but the ones we are looking at are AC units where recovering the oil is a given.

Screw Air compressors don't have that luxury so i'm guessing they put far more effort into tip sealing / oil recovery.

Whilst the principal is the same... the application is different so ......

I have a gq patrol and converted my standard ac pump into an air compressor over 6 years ago with no problems to date.
I disconnected the inlet and put a filter on it and plumbed the outlet into a tank. Every time I give the car a good wash (every 2-3 months) i squirt some air oil in the inlet.
I still can use a rattle gun and pump 4 tires up in the time my mates do 2.

IMHO if you have the room definately get the york. They can be fairly readily found in 80's volvos, v8 fords & valiants amoungst others.
But be aware there are 3 different models relating to the capcity 206, 209 & 210.
Some great info here - http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/yorkair.html
My TJ ran the 210 and was everything I nedded, including powering the AirBag Suspension.

York compressors are the way to go. IMHO