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Air Tanks

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:02 pm
by FROZY
I am settung up an air conditioning compressor as an air pump and have been looking for an air tank to go with it. My main problem is finding one that has a drain hole on the bottom when mounted under the car so excess moisture and oil may be drained out.

Does anyone know of an aussie supplier cause the US gear is very pricey for shipping costs?

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:24 pm
by shorty_f0rty
heres a tip.. go to your local TRUCK wreckers and have a look.. or ask em.. they should have a few layin around..

i picked up this one for only $25! and it had all the holes required.
Image

then i just went to enzed and got all the bits requierd to hook it up... EASY!

from a tank that size at 90psi (full) i can fill up a 31" from 20psi to 40 with one fill (pressure switches on when pressure gets down to 60psi)..

I can usually get enough out of it to rattle gun a wheel off and back on before it starts refilling.

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 2:02 pm
by dani4JB1T
how many CFM blows an aircon compressor ???

Im builiding an OBA too. cheers

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:56 pm
by HIL01X
Mine cost $15 from the truck wreckers.
Definatly the place to get them, heaps of sizes to choose from.

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 8:19 pm
by Bluefreak
Kmart are selling an 18Lt Enforcer protable air receiver for about $30 I think... Not sure if it has a moisture drain though...

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 1:09 am
by FROZY
Cheers guys i checked out one of the truck wreckers here in perth but most of the tanks there were huge....too big to fit under my little Feroza. Most 4by shops just seem to get them in from the US, all ones i have been quoted on are in Gallons and run NPT threads.
Is there such a thing as an australian air tank manufacturer?

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:53 am
by pongo
Try an old fire extinguisher, Or try an find a co2 bottle. Also try any junk recycling centres as well. Maybe convert an old air compressor and have a look around a few garage sales.

I picked up CIG co2 tank for a whole $5 and its good for a couple thousand PSI.
I also had a brake cylinder tank that was about a fott long that the old man used to use for airbrushing, But it went to the tip.

Think outside the square and you will save a few $$

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:13 am
by dani4JB1T
pongo wrote:Try an old fire extinguisher
Image

http://www.overland.co.za/Alex_Aircon.html

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 1:02 pm
by pongo
Bluefreak wrote:Kmart are selling an 18Lt Enforcer protable air receiver for about $30 I think... Not sure if it has a moisture drain though...
I went to kmart today and they are $39.95. 18 lite capacity. Not too bad considering you get a pressur guage, etc

Cheers

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 6:42 pm
by BIG GQ
I'm selling one from a western star truck for $35 in VERY GOOD condition.

http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/t3642-gq ... parts.html

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:13 pm
by chimpboy
I was thinking of the supercheap $97 compressor as a source for bits - 20 litre tank, pressure switch, overpressure release, and some flexihose and stuff thrown in as well. Just throw out the 240V compressor and use everyything else, basically.

What do you think?

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:37 pm
by +dj_hansen+
Mate of mine did this in his 80s, except used the compressor and bought his own tank... Compressor is mounted in the storage system with a caravan type plug at the front, the regulator and pressure switches are under the bonnet, and there is regulated and un-regulated points at front and rear of his truck... he is a chippy, turns up to work, plugs in the bullbar and away she roars...! Good for blowing up lilos and stuff too :D He is also getting the bits together to run an OBA setup to hook in...

Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:40 am
by bigbluemav
Truck air tanks are a good option, particualrly if you go to a truck wreckers.

They're usually dirt cheap ($20-50), come in a variety of capacities and a myriad of shapes to fit any applications. Quite often you'll get some fittings and even a mounting bracket as well.

I've got two in mine, a 10L under the floor and a 16L behind the back seat.


Regards

Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:35 am
by Loanrangie
BIG GQ wrote:I'm selling one from a western star truck for $35 in VERY GOOD condition.

http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/t3642-gq ... parts.html
What are the dims of the air tank ?

Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:50 pm
by Vulcanised
the only problem i see with a flat mounted extinguisher is the fact that it doesn't have a drain..... shit can accumulate in them. If you have access to a TIG welder, one could be welded in place, but having done that, it wouldn't be wise to have it mounted anywhere it could cause problems if it ruptures. Although, a half decent weld should hold well over the 100/120psi you are going to put in it.

Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:07 pm
by HIL01X
chimpboy wrote:I was thinking of the supercheap $97 compressor as a source for bits - 20 litre tank, pressure switch, overpressure release, and some flexihose and stuff thrown in as well. Just throw out the 240V compressor and use everyything else, basically.

What do you think?
I know a couple of blokes that did this and it works a treat.
A cheap and easy way to do it really :idea:

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 7:24 pm
by OnPatrol
I connected the ARB Compressor in line with a super cheap compressor. I wired up the regulator from the ARB compressor to a relay connected to the super cheap compressor. The air reservoir is one hoop on the tray. When the regulator reaches 100psi it shuts off both compressors. It works really well and very simple. I can switch both air lockers about 25 times before the compressor kicks in again. I can turn off the super cheap compressor if something goes wrong and I can disconnect the line to the air tank to run the ARB compressor to operate the lockers as normal.