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Running an air compressor off a winch
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 3:11 pm
by grazza
I have wacky idea - has anyone managed to use the winch motor for anything else, like running a compressor?
I am thinking of trying this because I believe the biggest 12V air compressors you can buy use winch motors, so maybe there is a way to tap into the shaft of a winch (the other side of the motor?) and use it to either drive a pulley to a pump or directly tap into the shaft.
The pump off one of the cheap 240V compressors might be OK or even drive a aircon compressor.
I am thinking something which is not permanently attached to the winch but which can be hooked up to it when needed, when the vehicle is stationary.
The winch cable roller would need to be disengaged.
Any thoughts?
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 6:51 pm
by Screwy
Definatly an interesting thought......
Ive never tried it but id be keen to see how u go........

Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 7:23 pm
by Daisy
yer i can imagine the current draw.. flat batteries in no time..
TOM
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 7:26 pm
by ISUZUROVER
GQ wrote:yer i can imagine the current draw.. flat batteries in no time..
TOM
No the current draw is load dependant - so not very high for the average air compressor.
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 7:30 pm
by Daisy
ISUZUROVER wrote:GQ wrote:yer i can imagine the current draw.. flat batteries in no time..
TOM
No the current draw is load dependant - so not very high for the average air compressor.
I didnt think of it that way.. too much rum...

Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 8:01 pm
by ludacris
Why not buy a 5.5 hp winch motor.
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 8:07 pm
by ausyota
This has been done before.
I think they can be bought in the US?
I recall something on pirate.
Paul.
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 10:26 pm
by Rainbow Warrior
ISUZUROVER wrote:GQ wrote:yer i can imagine the current draw.. flat batteries in no time..
TOM
No the current draw is load dependant - so not very high for the average air compressor.
My electric compresser only draws around 4 amps and probably 120A on the 12v side of the inverter. Starting current around 3 times this

Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 9:19 am
by RoldIT
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:36 pm
by Hardy
I brought this thread back to life because I did a search first, as I was thinking of something similar and cheap. Supercheap Auto breed of cheap.
Was looking at my little RENEGADE workshop air compressor.
It's 240V and 1500W.
That means current of 6.25A
That means current on 12V would be 125A
My alternator is rated 150A
Does that mean that even with a suitable invertor and engine running it probably wouldn't work?
What about a 1hp air compressor, if available.
That's 62A on 12V.
Any ideas from any auto electrcians among us?
Hardy
air
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:52 am
by LuxyBoy
I already looked into this and the bloddy inverter needed was about $1000 which negates the cheapness of the setup.
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:33 am
by meiamaro
Not to sure, but would mounting a winch motor
to a a/c compressor work?(aka ENDLESS air style.)

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:18 pm
by GQ4.8coilcab
there is a compressor called the oasis trailhead. It is a york compressor with a 5.5hp winch motor bolted to it. It was nearly as fast as an 'air up' system

But the price was very expensive. But i have thought of making one my self using a spare winch motor i have and getting a york compressor off a car, i think they were on early falcons i heard (i stand corrected).
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:36 pm
by chimpboy
I would contemplate this if I happened to have all the bits lying around. But if you are going around buying parts, it would be much more effective to get a suitable AC compressor, mount it to the engine, and run it with an engine-driven belt. It's a reliable, proven option, and it shouldn't cost you more than $100 if you're careful for just the compressed air, a bit more if you add a tank etc.
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 4:26 pm
by fool_injected
The biggest thing endless does is swap the bearings to sealed units
I have been told that the refigerant gas acts as a lubricant for the bearings
You can use any a/c comp as long as you squirt some oil or wd40 down the inlet before each use
A guy at work has this set up using a virara compressor feeding a small tank, reckons he can do two cars to ARBs 1 on club meets
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 8:14 pm
by matto
I know some land rovers have belt driven air compressors that have a manual clutch on the front they should pump pretty hard
Re: air
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:16 am
by bluemq
LuxyBoy wrote:I already looked into this and the bloddy inverter needed was about $1000 which negates the cheapness of the setup.
I don't understand why you need an inverter - the winch motors are 12V DC already?
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:39 am
by GUJohnno
fool_injected wrote:A guy at work has this set up using a virara compressor feeding a small tank, reckons he can do two cars to ARBs 1 on club meets
The ARB compressores are VERY slow. my Buhshranger does double of the ARB units.
Alos keen to see how you go with this. The Oasis one certainly looks the goods.
Re: air
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:40 am
by LuxyBoy
bluemq wrote:LuxyBoy wrote:I already looked into this and the bloddy inverter needed was about $1000 which negates the cheapness of the setup.
I don't understand why you need an inverter - the winch motors are 12V DC already?
I was refering to the post above mine 240v Standard garage air compressor
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 12:20 pm
by DAWSO 4x4
bloke i work woth years ago made one out of a wipper snipper motor
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 5:18 pm
by grazza
DAWSO 4x4 wrote:bloke i work woth years ago made one out of a wipper snipper motor
Now that could be an idea - get a 6hp motor, should rotate fast enough to drive a air-con compressor of old 240V pump. Dont know if they would have the torque but they are pretty compact - and cheap at Bunnings.
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 6:14 pm
by ausyota
grazza wrote:DAWSO 4x4 wrote:bloke i work woth years ago made one out of a wipper snipper motor
Now that could be an idea - get a 6hp motor, should rotate fast enough to drive a air-con compressor of old 240V pump. Dont know if they would have the torque but they are pretty compact - and cheap at Bunnings.
Not something new. Petrol powered compressors are available off the shelf.
http://www.broomewa.com/westair/petrol%20portable.htm
I borrowed my old mans once when I went down to the coast, was quick as but bulky. No drama if you have a ute.