110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Topic: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install (Read 3319 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #25 – September 01, 2017, 11:22:27 am

Chuck, it is unlikely that you will get the same volume of air from a 12v compressor as you are getting from your 120v compressor.
The reason is the amount of current required with 120v is 10% of what would be required using 12v.

I have also replaced my 12v compressor with a 120v compressor for the greater air volume but my setup is simple because it provides air to the HWH control for the air bags only or to a quick connect hose for airing up tires. I did not include an air tank in my setup. It works very well for levelling the coach which is the main purpose.

With my setup the air is cooled between the compressor and the manifold with aluminum fins on the 3 foot long copper tube. I have an air cleaner and desiccant included.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #26 – September 01, 2017, 02:22:16 pm

Would I replace a failed low hour air compressor with the same unit? No.

But I was in the burn ward long ago.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #27 – September 01, 2017, 06:17:00 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – September 01, 2017, 02:22:16 pm

Would I replace a failed low hour air compressor with the same unit? No.

Bob, I'm with you on this one. I have decided to return the C.A.T. compressor to Walmart next week for a full refund. After I have my cash in hand, I will send a email to the manufacturer explaining what happened and why it was returned. They can follow up as they see fit.

I am already looking at a slight modification of my original setup, using the other portable compressor I had on hand. It is a Kobalt 3-gallon, 1.5hp, belt drive, 155 max psi unit that moves 2.6 cfm @ 90 psi. It has a low, flat design that will actually fit in the available space better than the C.A.T. unit. (See photo below) I will have to rework my plumbing a bit, but nothing major.

I think the higher pressure rating of this Kobalt compressor will be advantageous for the following reason.

The C.A.T. unit had a operating range between 90 and 120 psi (max). I had the output regulator screwed all the way in so it would cut off when the coach air system (and the compressor tank) was at 120 psi. Then the coach air pressure would bleed down to 90 psi, and the compressor would cut back on. It then had to pump the entire coach air system back to 120 psi, which required running for about 5 minutes.

The Kobalt will work differently. It is designed to cut-in at 125 psi, and cut-out at 155 psi. If I set the output regulator to 120 psi, then the coach air system will never vary - it will stay at a constant 120 psi. The pressure in the compressor tank will vary between 125 and 155 psi. When the compressor runs, it will only have to recharge the 3 gallon tank, rather than the total coach system. This takes about 35 seconds. Another plus: short running times produce less heat in the compressed air stream.

SO, if my preliminary testing holds up, this means the compressor will run more times per day, but for a much shorter interval each time. Even though it IS louder, I am willing to accept that for more safety and reliability.

I will be testing this new setup over the long weekend, and will report back with results next week.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #28 – September 01, 2017, 06:42:07 pm

Ah shucks... I wanted to like that company! The concept of a quiet air compressor is a compelling one. But not at the cost of safety or reliability. I am pretty happy with my 12V ARB Twin compressor which has similar specs to the Kobalt (3cfm @90psi). I pretty much just use it manually since auto always starts by trying to lower the high side. I will try some noise reduction with some vibration isolating mounts, but I mainly just want to reduce air leaks so that the coach won't settle and lose level as quickly. The more there is no reason to run it, the longer it will last. I would like to find a compact 3 gallon aluminum tank with appropriate fitting bosses to remote mount. Projects abound!
Don

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #29 – September 01, 2017, 07:07:12 pm

Chuck,
I just searched Lowes and it says this compressor is no longer available.
John M.

Shop Kobalt 3-Gallon Portable 155-PSI Electric Hot Dog Air Compressor at...

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #30 – September 01, 2017, 08:25:10 pm

Quote from: John Morales – September 01, 2017, 07:07:12 pm

I just searched Lowes and it says this compressor is no longer available.

Yes, I also noticed that. I bought mine a year ago in Oregon on our last trip to the Pacific NW.

If you go to the link you posted, and scroll down the page a bit, they show a Kobalt Quiet Tech 4.3-gallon twin-stack compressor. Click it, look at the 360 degree view, and spin it around to see the back side. The 2-piston compressor/motor assembly looks almost identical (in design) to the ones on the California Air Tools units. I'd guess both compressor units are being built by the same manufacturer. Interesting.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #31 – September 01, 2017, 08:45:59 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – September 01, 2017, 08:36:29 am

I will look into some other 110V compressors, or possibly a high performance 12V model like the one Don has.

Another option, I used the ExtremeAire Magnum compressor with excellent results. Rock solid reliable with a 100% duty cycle.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #32 – September 01, 2017, 09:36:37 pm

Chuck,
Viair makes a series of portable and on board air compressors that would work for your application. Their medium duty air compressor would work for your application.
John M.

OnBoard Air Systems | VIAIR Corporation

Amazon.com: VIAIR Medium Duty Onboard Air System: Automotive

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Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #33 – September 01, 2017, 11:15:23 pm

That ExtremeAire Magnum looks interesting, but pricey! And, like Wyatt said, being 12V powered, it takes a big power draw (82 amps @ 100 psi) to produce the same results as the cheap 120V compressors. I would, however, like to hear one running just to see what it sounds like.

The 12V Viair compressors seem mainly geared to airing up tires. They don't move much CFM, so I don't think would be ideal for this application.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #34 – September 01, 2017, 11:32:38 pm

8 gal. 2 HP 125 PSI Oil Lube Air Compressor
Been using one of these for years, pretty reliable. Had a coupon so got it for $80. Will bring your tires up to 120 psi. Did think of removing the tank and plumbing directly into system. It is noisy.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #35 – September 01, 2017, 11:39:46 pm

Oil lube compressors supposedly have a longer life span, but they also introduce oil into the compressed air stream. This requires a additional specialized filter to remove the oil. Just another complication that I would like to avoid.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #36 – September 02, 2017, 12:55:02 pm

Chuck,
VIAIR makes a wide variety of compressors. AC, DC 12V & 24V, variety of psi & cfm, from light duty to extreme duty. Not just for filling tires.
John M.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #37 – September 02, 2017, 02:04:05 pm

This is the one I have, high pressure, reasonable volume, very low noise, low amps. No problem going to 120 on the big tires. Stand up or lay flat.

Amazon.com: DEWALT DWFP55130 Heavy Duty 200 PSI Quiet Trim Compressor: Home...

If fits in my (new) bay behind the driver's side rear wheel (along with a bunch of other stuff including a 50' air line). I don't have to take it out to run it, I hook up an air dryer and air line right inside the bay.

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Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #38 – September 02, 2017, 03:07:45 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – September 02, 2017, 02:04:05 pm

This is the one I have...

Roger,

That looks like a good one. Perfect fit in your storage compartment! If I was gonna carry it "loose" like you do, that would be a great choice. But, the form factor and layout would not work with the space I am now committed to using, so not for me.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #39 – September 02, 2017, 08:04:24 pm

Returned the C. A. T. Model 2010A to Walmart today for a full refund. It has gone to a better place, R.I.P.

Can't beat the Walmart 90-day money back return policy - absolutely minimum hassle.

Lady at the returns counter asked "What is reason for return"?

I said "All the magic smoke escaped".

She looked at me funny and said "So it's broken"?

I said "Yes".

She processed the refund.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #40 – September 04, 2017, 04:17:13 pm

I will close out this thread with a few photos of the replacement air compressor installation. I know this sounds like rationalization, but I sincerely believe this Kobalt compressor will be superior to the now-deceased C. A. T. 2010A. I finished the install over the weekend, and it is working splendidly. It fits perfectly into the oddly shaped space under the entry steps, and will be completely out of the way when cramming junk into the storage bay.

I plumbed this one differently. I plugged my copper "cooling loop" tubing directly into the compressor tank output fitting. The other end of the tubing connects to the QC3 filter. It works this way. The compressor keeps its 3 gallon tank pressurized between 125 and 155 psi. The output regulator is set at 120 psi. The air from the compressor tank bleeds out through the regulator as required, flows through the copper tubing loop, through the QC3 water separator/filter, and then goes to the wet tank at the rear of the coach. The coach air system stays at a constant 120 psi. When the compressor cuts on at 125 psi, it only has to pump the 3 gallon tank back up to 155 psi, so it only runs for 35 seconds. During these short run periods, the compressor doesn't have time to get even slightly warm, so the compressed air in the 3 gallon tank stays cool. This will greatly reduce the amount of moisture carried in the compressed air stream, and will (hopefully) lessen the workload on the QC3.

In practice, this seems to be working very well. I have been constantly monitoring the water output from the 3 drain points. I get a little water out of the compressor tank drain every morning. I have seen zero moisture come out of the drain on the bottom of the QC3 filter housing. I have also seen zero water out of the wet tank drain on the coach. I am confident that the air going into the coach air system from this compressor is at least as dry, if not more so, than the air produced by the coach engine driven air compressor and dryer system.

The only downside to the replacement compressor is increased noise. However, since this compressor only runs 35 seconds at a time compared to the 5 minute runs of the previous "quiet" compressor, I feel the overall noise factor has improved. I'll see what the "crew" (DW & Bella) think on our next trip. If they object too strenuously, all I have to do is turn off the switch on the compressor and close one valve to revert to "normal" coach air system operation for the duration of the journey. No Problem!

PS: Added info. If I close the valve and isolate the compressor from the coach air system, the compressor still feeds the retractable air hose. This "stand alone" mode will provide me with filtered and dried air at 125-155 psi for rapid filling of the coach tires.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #41 – September 04, 2017, 07:30:35 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – September 02, 2017, 02:04:05 pm

This is the one I have, high pressure, reasonable volume, very low noise, low amps. No problem going to 120 on the big tires.

Amazon.com: DEWALT DWFP55130 Heavy Duty 200 PSI Quiet Trim Compressor: Home...

If fits in my (new) bay behind the driver's side rear wheel (along with a bunch of other stuff including a 50' air line). I don't have to take it out to run it, I hook up an air dryer and air line right inside the bay.

I have the same one. Love it.

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Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #42 – September 28, 2017, 09:07:18 am

For those of you who are interested in this upgrade, California Air Tools is having a nice sale. Their factory outlet store is closing out the discontinued model 2510STP and the price is reduced from about $278 on Amazon to $149 with free shipping and no tax outside of CA. The unit is new with the full warranty but is blemished. We used to call these "C Stock" items in the audio video business (scratch and dent).

I'm ditching my 82db Porter Cable "Wake the Dead" model for this quiet 60db puppy. It outputs 2.35 CFM@90PSI and is a twin cylinder unit.

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Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #43 – September 29, 2017, 10:07:15 am

The CAT compressor that Mark D mentioned is only 120 psi max which makes filling a coach tire pretty slow. Should be OK for just leveling and air bladders and other aux tasks. The Dewalt mentioned before that is 200 psi max and is smaller and lighter.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #44 – September 30, 2017, 09:44:46 am

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – September 29, 2017, 10:07:15 am

The CAT compressor that Mark D mentioned is only 120 psi max which makes filling a coach tire pretty slow. Should be OK for just leveling and air bladders and other aux tasks. The Dewalt mentioned before that is 200 psi max and is smaller and lighter.

That's a good point, Roger. Also, I had forgotten that Chuck's CAT compressor motor burned up (see reply #20 above). I rethought this and called CAT and asked to cancel the order. They said no problem if it hadn't shipped so we'll see what happens. If indeed it cancels I think I'll go with the Dewalt you mentioned. It's 70db but that's less than half as loud as the Porter Cable we currently have.

Re: 110V Aux Air Compressor Install

Reply #45 – May 01, 2018, 01:36:23 pm

Finally decided to get a aux compressor. I only need 85 front/80 rear, so this works great. BTW, it takes about 4 min to add 10 pounds to each tire. I like the dual head chuck, liquid-filled gauge . The locking chuck version might fit the inside duals, but I did not get it. Power Tank - - Powertank.com

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