A/C compressor to power air-bag Suspension?

[Revin68]

A friend who is an off-roader showed me a setup that is used to fill onboard airtanks that are used for airtools and flat tires. They basicly use an A/C compressor mounted traditionally on the engine that draws air off of the PCV valve (for lubrication i assume) and outputs air to a 5gal aux air tank. He had the clutch manually controlled by a toggle switch. (a pressure switch on the air tank would be my choice for compressor clutch control) anyone else ever seen this used before? I think it would be a great idea for an air-bag suspension. Any input?

I posted this on another website also and will share any feedback from there.

Thanks,
Robert

[lofly'a]

most use a york compressor and fill the crankase for lube, but i have'nt heard of the pcv oiler type. sounds viable though. i've read of using sanden compressors for air, but have never seen the setup or how it is lubricated. if u get some info "do share".

[Revin68]

I was concerned about the whole oiling thing too. If you are sucking in PCV air, or other oil source, wouldn't the lube accumulate in the air tank and eventually in the bags?

[Rochlow]

You would use an water/oil separator to reactify that problem..

http://www.*****************/catalog/...oil-separators

[fixit-p]

The york is self lubricating I don't know about the Sanden but if you use you'r pcv for intake not only do you have the oil which it might suck into the system but worst yet you'll have combustion gasses from blow by in you system and that could dry up and ruin the rubber seals in the valves and air bags themselves.

[kevncar]

There is a long thread on some S10 forum I read about using sanden compressors (google something like "official sanden thread"). From what I've gathered, if you get the right compressor, there just about as fast as the 210 yorks, but I guess they have an issue trying to push large volume tanks to higher pressures, for those trying to hop or something...

I'd really like to run an sanden becuase I think they look a lot better than the yorks. March Performance Pulleys is working on a dual alternator serpentine pulley kit that I was going to try and see if I could copy and have a dual A/C compressor setup instead.


There is an amazing amount of info about Sanden A/C compressors on the internet, it's mind boggling. Here are a couple of links to help get you going if you're interested in going the sanden route.

This site can tell you what compressors come on what vehicles...
http://www.polarbearinc.com/applications.htm

This part of Sanden's website is great for looking up model numbers and getting specs on different compressors...
http://sanden.com/index.php?id=AAUYOIFBS

And if you're junkyardin for the compressor, here's a good site that will help you find what other vehicles have the same part...
http://www.rockauto.com/index.php?a=G-autoparts

Good luck...

[kev2809]

check this thread out for the york, very useful info in there
http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/...rk-thread.html

[fixit-p]

I did some research on the sanden compressor and it turns out that it's basically an Axial Piston Pump which I am familiar with in hydraulic applications. On initial start up of the hydraulic version it is a must to fill the case with oil otherwise the pump will fail immediately (the Sanden wont fail as quickly due to the operating pressure on a hydraulic system is much higher) thats because of the way it operates. When the input shaft rotates the cylinder barrel and pistons also turn at the other end of the pistons there are wear shoes connected to the piston rods which rides against a swash plate (on the Sanden the swash plate rotates while the cylinder barrel and pistons are staitionary but the same basic principle of operation) the angle of the swash plate determines the volume. On a hydraulic pump the angle of the swash plate is variable and is controled by system pressure the Sanden has a fixed angle and therfore a fixed displacement. Using an oiler on the suction side of the pump may lubricate the top end but not the critical components in the case. The Sanden does have a plug to fill the case with oil and should be filled at least 1/3 to 1/2 way (imo) because the fixed angle of the swash plate (hydraulic term.) is fixed, the connecting rod between the piston carrier and the cylinder barrel needs to pivot and the Sanden uses a ball and gear setup (to preload the piston carrier to the swash plate) is another high friction area. Also because the pump is a piston pump there is probably going to be some blowby of the compressed air and it is now an open loop the case should be vented to prevent pressurizing the case and blowing the seals. I hope this is helpful.

Ref. http://www.sanden.com/images/SD_Service_Guide_Rev.2.pdf

[laynframe]

I have used both comps on a ten gal system and a 6 gal system. They work great but you have to maintain them. I use inline self oilers and oil and water serarators after the comps. They air up your tanks so fast its awsome.

[Revin68]

You guys are great !!!!! this is the kind of info i wanted. The other board i posted in had self imposed "blog police" post that this had been covered before and 1 link given. That basicly shut down the thread >=( That link had 93 post and i believe 6 posts refering to A/C compressors. Thanks for the info. Please keep posting.

[trenz68]

Here is my 68