Air Compressor Kit Question

tenscourts · September 27, 2016

So I have the Airlift 5000 Ultimate air springs with built in jounce bumpers (not yet installed). I want to add an on board compressor but I also want to use that compressor to top off my tires, bicycle tires, or anything else that needs inflating (not air tools). I considered a basic air supply kit that includes a compressor, tank and hose which would require me to air up each bag individually with kits included hose. I'd like a wireless controller to air up the bags but those kits don't typically work with a tank or they are very expensive. I got to thinking if I got a dual output wireless system without a tank I could feed both air springs with one output using a T-valve and connect the other output to a small tank or use it to directly inflate tires etc. by running the line to a Schrader valve and connecting a hose. I could keep the pressure set low on the second output until I needed to inflate something and then turn it up with the remote. Does anyone have any experience with these kits or think my idea would work? I don't tow regularly. I figure the air springs can get me a little of the rake back that my Z series cap took away and also prevent sag whenever I do tow but the ability to air up tires etc. is important to me. Thanks in advance for any comments or advice.

LongrangeLauber · September 27, 2016

Sub'd, thinking about the same thing possibly

silveradosid · September 27, 2016

use a height control valve like they do on tractor trailers. then you can set the truck at the height you want and when you load it up it will put more air in the bags and automatically exhaust it when the weight is removed

LongrangeLauber · September 27, 2016

use a height control valve like they do on tractor trailers. then you can set the truck at the height you want and when you load it up it will put more air in the bags and automatically exhaust it when the weight is removed

Do you have a link to this?

Back in a Bowtie · September 27, 2016

you do not want to plumb the two bags together with a T. Keep them separate. When they are plumbed together it increases body roll in the corners.

Back in a Bowtie · September 27, 2016

If i were you i would get something like this (http://www.viaircorp.com/oba-constant.html)

Plumb the air hookup to the back of the truck and plumb the two separate schrader valves to the back as well.

Fasthotrod · September 27, 2016

I've done a few systems like you have described... what kind of budget were you thinking about for this?

It might be easier to break down each part of the system separately... then put it all together.

For example, you want an on-board air system that you can use to fill up tires, fill your air bags, etc... So you need a compressor, a tank, a pressure switch, relay, hoses/tubing/fittings, and a wiring harness with a fuse or circuit breaker. The relay controls the compressor, which is activated when you turn on the ignition and the pressure switch on the tank says you need air in the tank. (Just like a typical air compressor in your garage.) Start your truck, the ignition tells the system to go active, and the pressure switch keeps your tank full automatically. From the tank, run a line into your bed with a typical air hose disconnect. That way you can carry a 25' hose and run various tools. (Air chuck, blow off tool, etc...)

Now that we have a tank of air available, now all we need to do is be able to add/remove air to the bags. Did you want to control both rear bags together, or independently? Both are easy, but the latter requires more controls.

Assuming you want to control both bags together, you need two solenoid valves, each with their own control relay: One adds air to the bags, one lets air out of the bags. The values are normally closed, and when you apply power to the relay, they open. So now you just need a way to control them.

The simple way is momentary switches. Push the "up" switch, and the up relay opens the up solenoid valve, which allows air to enter the bags. Remove your finger from the switch and it stops. Want to lower the rear? Press the "down" button, which powers the down relay, which opens the down solenoid valve and lets air out of the bags.

You mentioned a wireless remote control... this is relatively easy, too. You already have everything in place above, so now you just need a remote control that can mimic pressing the two buttons.

You can buy many of these parts individually and build your own kit... and you can install it yourself, assuming that you have some basic mechanical and electrical skills. Do a Google search for air suspension parts and you will find a ton of info. AirBagIt is one place that had probably everything you need to do this project... and not all that expensive, either.

Let me know if this helps, or if you need additional information.

Mark

Fasthotrod · September 27, 2016

you do not want to plumb the two bags together with a T. Keep them separate. When they are plumbed together it increases body roll in the corners.

Good point. One way to prevent this is to run a check valve on each bag... but then you need to drain each one separately.

On the controls I mentioned above, you can do it with three solenoid valves and check valves, or four solenoid valves. (About $30/ea)

Meethead · September 27, 2016

I was looking to install an air compressor in my empty 2nd battery tray under the hood. I was going to then pipe hard line to the front and the rear of the truck with quick connects for air hose or air tools. Perhaps a toggle switch in the cab for easy access.

tenscourts · September 27, 2016

I've done a few systems like you have described... what kind of budget were you thinking about for this?

It might be easier to break down each part of the system separately... then put it all together.

For example, you want an on-board air system that you can use to fill up tires, fill your air bags, etc... So you need a compressor, a tank, a pressure switch, relay, hoses/tubing/fittings, and a wiring harness with a fuse or circuit breaker. The relay controls the compressor, which is activated when you turn on the ignition and the pressure switch on the tank says you need air in the tank. (Just like a typical air compressor in your garage.) Start your truck, the ignition tells the system to go active, and the pressure switch keeps your tank full automatically. From the tank, run a line into your bed with a typical air hose disconnect. That way you can carry a 25' hose and run various tools. (Air chuck, blow off tool, etc...)

Now that we have a tank of air available, now all we need to do is be able to add/remove air to the bags. Did you want to control both rear bags together, or independently? Both are easy, but the latter requires more controls.

Assuming you want to control both bags together, you need two solenoid valves, each with their own control relay: One adds air to the bags, one lets air out of the bags. The values are normally closed, and when you apply power to the relay, they open. So now you just need a way to control them.

The simple way is momentary switches. Push the "up" switch, and the up relay opens the up solenoid valve, which allows air to enter the bags. Remove your finger from the switch and it stops. Want to lower the rear? Press the "down" button, which powers the down relay, which opens the down solenoid valve and lets air out of the bags.

You mentioned a wireless remote control... this is relatively easy, too. You already have everything in place above, so now you just need a remote control that can mimic pressing the two buttons.

You can buy many of these parts individually and build your own kit... and you can install it yourself, assuming that you have some basic mechanical and electrical skills. Do a Google search for air suspension parts and you will find a ton of info. AirBagIt is one place that had probably everything you need to do this project... and not all that expensive, either.

Let me know if this helps, or if you need additional information.

Mark

That is a lot of good info. Budget wise I had looked at an air lift 72000 kit which i can get for $340 before a $100 rebate which brings it down to $240 but doesn't include a tank. That is why I considered running the second feed to a tank. Then @14TungstenLT mentioned the body roll issue which was a very good point. I'll also say I was backing down from the 72000 kit as I read reviews saying the manifolds failed frequently. I had also looked at Firestone Kits. I liked both air lift and firestone's wireless options because they showed the pressure on the controllers and required no wiring into the cab. There is a lot about this I'm not real familiar with but I definitely want to be able to air up additional things besides the air springs. I just don't want to end up spending $600-$1000 for something that won't be used heavily. So ideally air up both bags individually with a wireless controller and be able to top off my tires or any other thing else. I'm not sure if that requires me having a tank or not and I understand I won't be able to power impact wrenches etc. Firestone Air Command F3 has a smart phone app which is cool but obviously pricier and doesn't work with a tank. It only includes a compressor and manifold and firestone says its not compatible with a tank.

tenscourts · September 30, 2016

Decided to go with the Air Lift Quickshot for now. I got the single path but I don't plan to use the gauge. I'm going to air the bags up manually. Now I just have to figure out where to install the compressor and tank since there isn't much room under the body on these trucks and the compressor has to be "protected" from splashes and debris. Inside the cab is out of the question and I didn't want to put it inside my cap but I may have to go that route.

Back in a Bowtie · September 30, 2016

im thinking of putting the compressor in the aux battery location and the tank in the back left corner under the bed (behind the tire)

tenscourts · October 1, 2016

im thinking of putting the compressor in the aux battery location and the tank in the back left corner under the bed (behind the tire)

I've read lots of recommendations not to place it under the hood due to heat but I can't put it there anyway because I'm putting in a dual battery setup as well. Started with a D34M Optima but it didn't fit properly so I have an X2Power 94R AGM (batteries plus) that should be here Monday. As soon as I install that and mount my ML-ACR 7622 (blue sea) I'll figure out what length and type cables I need to wrap that up. I'll have to try the tank location you mentioned though. Once the kit is here I'll test fit it in a few places and figure out what works best.

willyr1er · October 1, 2016

I just installed a wireless one kit last weekend, The best spot I found to install ended up being above the spare tire. Once you drop the spare there is a lot of room. Ill try to grab a picture shortly.