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Topic: Inverter Replacement (Read 1880 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Inverter Replacement

Reply #20 –

I replace my Thomas compressor with a ViAir compressor.
Amazon.com: VIAIR 45040 450C Air Compressor Kit : Automotive
It puts out about double to the Thomas. But, it is about twice as load too.  It was an easy change, and I ran it through a switch that I put inside the kitchen cabinet.  That way, I shut it off until needed, and also to insure it doesn't turn on in the middle of the night !
Very happy with it.

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Re: Inverter Replacement

Reply #21 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
Hey Don, now that you've had it a while, what do you think of the ARB pump setup?  How much faster does it fill the HWH tank than the original pump?  How is the noise compared to the original pump?  I see that the specs say it will pull almost 70A DC at max pressure where the original only pulled about 28A.  What are your thoughts overall?
Hi Keith,
I am sold on it. It is a bit noisier than the little Ghast that it replaced, but the OEM pump in our coach was weak sauce in comparison. I used two 10GA wires (the ARB twin compressors are protected by two fuses wired in parallel, the ground I used is 6 gage) connected directly to house battery bank. I used the OEM pump DC breaker just to trigger the ARB relay. More than once, I have raised the coach high enough to put in my 12" stands on with just the ARB pump alone when the engine wouldn't build air. It takes awhile, but is a lot faster than never, which was the situation with the OEM setup. ;) It has proven to be durable, never shutting down due to thermal issues no matter how long I run it continuously. I may eventually look at mounting the ARB Twins on more compliant isolators, but it runs so seldom in normal use, I haven't been sufficiently motivated as yet.
Don

Re: Inverter Replacement

Reply #22 –
Marks
Do you have pics of your install?
I was too Ike to replace the ultra sal Thomas compressor with something better. I too have the Viair 450 as a portable but it makes more sense to have it installed permanent

Re: Inverter Replacement

Reply #23 –
My ARB compressor is mounted to a panel which is mounted to steel framing in the roof of the basement. Tucked up nicely out of the way. Nothing hooked up yet in this picture.

Re: Inverter Replacement

Reply #24 –
Peter, I will get a couple of pictures for you today.  I put the ViAir in the same place that the Thomas was.  My coach has a small alcove between the fuel tank compartment and the middle storage bay. I used the same pressure switch, dryer, etc., that was on the Thomas.  Just swapped the compressors.
 

Re: Inverter Replacement

Reply #25 –
Peter, attached are pictures of the ViAir Compressor that I installed.  I used the base that the Thomas was previously attached too.  I put thread inserts in the floor of the compartment, and then bolted it in using some rubber isolators to help keep the vibration down.  I don't feel any vibration when it is running, but it is definitely louder than the Thomas.  I wired in a switch and turn it off at night.  It would for sure wake you up when it's running, and you can hear it if your standing close to the coach outside.
Everything else is just a direct replacement from the Thomas.  The braided line from the ViAir attached straight to the fitting where the Thomas was, no adapter needed.
When the compressor kicks on, it runs for about 8 minutes to go from 80 to 120 PSI.  This is about half the time the Thomas took. I have had it installed now for about two years without any issues.  I keep the Coach plugged in and in the garage with the HWH always on and set on Auto.  I hear the compressor kick on sometimes during the day.  When we are using the Coach, it seems to go 3 or 4 days before it will kick on.  I had HWH go through it 3 years ago, and they marked all the leaks they found both on their HWH parts, as well as others.  They would only work on the HWH parts though.  But they were a big help and zip tied anything they found leaking.
Hope this helps.