Making a A/C pump a Compressor?

[Reumster]

Ok has anyone here actually done this? If so how expensive is it? I like the idea of a A/C pump it'll look stock. I want faster fill times. And don't want to have 4 of these electric pumps.

You should be able to hook the clutch right to the pressure switch right?

[ebfabman]

Reumster, yes its been done and apparently cheap and pretty easy. check out this link

Also, I don't think you need the high volume compressor, any upright style york should work fine.



http://coloradok5.com/york.shtml

[XXL]

Originally posted by Reumster
Ok has anyone here actually done this? If so how expensive is it? I like the idea of a A/C pump it'll look stock. I want faster fill times. And don't want to have 4 of these electric pumps.

You should be able to hook the clutch right to the pressure switch right?

You'll need to resolve the oiling problem as compressor seals are internally lubricated in their closed system, but you'll be "opening up" that system because you're going to be taking away air. And you don't want to just put an oiler on it as your bags will eventually fill up with the stuff.

BTW, I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish with your bags... but you may want to rethink the air system plans. With my 6 gallons of air and 2 plain old 315 compressors, I simply CANNOT run out of air unless I'm just going up and down over and over as fast as I can.

Kenneth

[GloryHound]

I forget what add it is but in Truckin magazine one of the air bag venders have a compressor that runs off the motor for less than $300.00 They also have a bracket kit so you don't have to worry about any fabrication your self. I don't have the mag in front of me right now but I will make another post with the page # and date of the mag and the company and phone # of the company that carries it later today or tommarow. While this option is a little more expensive, if you like me with little metal fabrication skill, it seems like a viable option!

[jays68yak]

Heres some more sites that might help you.
Onboardair
And check airlift, I think they sell a kit now too.

[sneakysnake]

In HVAC class we had vacuum pumps that looked like old ford AC compressiors with an electric moter hooked to them, they seemed to work ok

[Slammed67]

The older York AC compressors are very popular for this application as they are internally oiled. I can't tell you what makes and models they came on though. I've been looking into this lately too.

[smokekiki]

XXL,how long have you had your set-up?Do you have or need an air dryer hooked up?Just wondering for winter driving.Not that I take my burban out in the winter very often.Anybody that is going to an engine driven compressor running air cond.?

[XXL]

Originally posted by smokekiki
XXL,how long have you had your set-up?Do you have or need an air dryer hooked up?Just wondering for winter driving.Not that I take my burban out in the winter very often.Anybody that is going to an engine driven compressor running air cond.?

Current air configuration, about 2 1/2 years. I started with a single 2 gallon tank and single 315 about 3 1/2 years ago. It was simply NOT enough so I ended up killing the compressor.

As for dryer, I don't have one... but I may be adding one soon. When the truck sits outside in this cold (it's usually in a heated garage) the valves stop working. I'm guessing moisture is the problem.

Kenneth

[smokekiki]

Thanks XXL I'm not looking to go up and down,just be able to raise for driving and lower for cruising at the shows.The electrics should do me fine.A dryer/filter might be a good idea for any air system.

[Dropt72Shortbed]

Originally posted by GloryHound
I forget what add it is but in Truckin magazine one of the air bag venders have a compressor that runs off the motor for less than $300.00 They also have a bracket kit so you don't have to worry about any fabrication your self. I don't have the mag in front of me right now but I will make another post with the page # and date of the mag and the company and phone # of the company that carries it later today or tommarow. While this option is a little more expensive, if you like me with little metal fabrication skill, it seems like a viable option!

$300?

that was probably from an AIM ad. and i need not bring up how bad aim is... stay away from them.

['72 Shorty]

I set my Trooper up like this for a slightly different purpose, airing up tires and running air tools. I used a stock Isuzu compressor(but any old one will do as long as it isn't frozen up), added an inline oiler to the input line and a oil/water separator to the output line. At 2000 RPM it keeps the ~5gal tank at 100PSI wunning a 1/2" impact. As long as I check the oiler every few days and if it's low dump the oil out of the separator back into the oiler, it doesn't have any problems. I have pressure it it all the time since it is also the power of my horn.

That said, the York compressor is much better suited for this, since you really don't need the oiler. Volvos had them to the mid 80s, or maybe later. Also, IH Scouts had a layed down style york.

[Reumster]

I'll be adding another tank today I guess the time. So I'll see if that makes me happy. I know for a fact I'll need another compressor when I get front bags

[BigChevMan]

I can hook you up with all the info you need to know. I have this whole setup sitting in my garage waiting until I find the right truck. All in all I have about 100 bucks invested in mine.

The best place to look for the york air compressors is on freightliner trucks. They still use them to this day and are the high output 210 model. Mine is from a 98 and I got it in 2000. It still looks brand new.

Get the manifolds from brad Kilby at onboardair.com ($30)

go to www.hoseandfittings.com and get a 3 foot stainless steel hose with the ends crimped on. ($44)

Get a trap for the oil that comes out of the compressor ($25) and then plumb it like you would a regular air compressor. The clutch on the unit has a wire off of it that you run to your pressure switch to kick it on and off. Brackets are simple to build. I designed the brackets for my buddies truck in an afternoon. Ic an get pictures of it installed on a 92 chevy with a 350 if you would like.

Like I said before....0-150 psi in 29 seconds at idle...faster at freeway speeds.

You would be safe to invest in a pop off valve as well since these things can pressurize a tank to over 500 psi if your pressure switch should ever fail.

I've done extensive research into this and made it work...so if you have any questions...feel free to ask

[smokekiki]

On your buddy's truck,is the air conditioning hooked up?

[Slammed67]

BigChevMan: Thanks for all that info! I was wondering what would be the best donor vehicle for a York. I'll have to hit the big truck salvage yards once it warms up. This may be a dumb question, but do Freightliners use the Yorks for their air spring compressors, or do I need to pull of an A/C compressor?

[orange72]

bigchevman how much did you pay for the compressor?

[jim71chevy]

Well i hate to say this FORD was the big user of york, from early 70's to the 80's full size ford has the york.

[fastbagged68]

There is also a kit you can buy for about 250 that will convert your Sanden A/C to a compressor. you can get it through aftermarket in Sacramento, Ca. there website is www.got20s.com. You have to call and ask for Eric there and he can hook you up with. The york you can get for about 20 bucks any junk yard that has old Ford Trucks. One bad thing about the york is it good size and ugle looking.

[matt67350]

Try this: http://www.coloradok5.com/tech.shtml
scroll down to the article.

[BigChevMan]

Yes...on my friends truck we kept the A/C. As for freightliners using them for ac...they do use them for A/C. Not quite sure about the airbags though...they might.

I actually got my compressor for free...so that was the deal of all deals so far. It helps to have semi truck mechanics as friends.

As far as using the rotary sanden style compressor, I would suggest not doing it. Yes it can be done, but the output and the hassle aren't worth doing it. You would need to place an oiler on the intake side and a coalescing filter on the ouput side to capture the oil. The output of the sanden is nothing compaired to what the york is. Look at it this way...how many companies use a rotary style engine vs. how many companies use a crank/piston style engine? That's all the york is is a big piston inside there.

So far it's got about 10k on it and has shown no signs of degridation or failure and if I could just talk him into upgrading to electric valves it would be a ton faster.

[smokekiki]

Most tractor/trailers I've worked on had york ac comps.The air comp for the brakes and air ride is gear driving,and much larger than the ac unit.

[Reumster]

Big ChevMan Thanks for all your info. That sounds like a plan. So I need to head to a Semi wreaking yard I guess?

So what place actually has the cheapest complete engine driven unit?

[BigChevMan]

if you just want new out of the box stuff I would definitely talk to Larry echols about getting the airlift kit. It comes with everything except the brackets which you would have to fab or have fabbed. If you have a grainger account I would look into getting most of the stuff there though.

[Reumster]

I I where to go to a Semi junk yard what truck Am I looking to rod what I need? What is the size of these compressors??