Air compressor options? (1 Viewer)

[Tallenhouston]

So I'm installing airbags to help with sag while towing a camper. The airbag system manufacturer also makes a highly rated compressor with good features and remote + app. But am I limiting myself vs. installing something like an ARB compressor? And can I find add-ons to an ARB compressor that can also show the airbag pressure remotely as I fill it?

 

[Jetboy]

IMO - skip the compressor. Just plumb it for a bike pump. Buy one of these:

I've had a bunch of different air helper setups over the years. You probably won't adjust them often. You'll fill them up to go towing, and then deflate when you're done. They don't take a lot of volume or pressure. Any simple bike pump will fill them up easily and quickly. It'll take more time to plumb and wire and test a compressor than it will to fill and deflate them for many years unless you're towing on a daily basis. I had a full wireless kit on one of my vehicles with a custom manifold to do everything from side to side level, open flow between sides for offroad, etc. but that was with a full airspring setup in the rear (no coils, just airbags). I found that it was neat at first, but it really wasn't that useful. In my current Tundra with air helpers I just use a hand pump.

If you want to make it really easy - use one of these: RYOBI USB Lithium High Pressure Inflator Kit with 2.0 Ah USB Lithium Battery and Charging Cable FVIF51K - The Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-USB-Lithium-High-Pressure-Inflator-Kit-with-2-0-Ah-USB-Lithium-Battery-and-Charging-Cable-FVIF51K/322605711

If you do want to use something like an ARB compressor - you'll need to make up a manifold or buy one. TBH you'll be better of buying a commercial system. It's not terribly hard to do DIY, but it takes enough stuff that you'll probably spend more than it's worth. To start you'll need to decide if you want to fill both or each one separately. If you fill both together it's easier. You'll need to start with a compressor that has a air chamber and a pressure control switch. All ARB compressors I know of will have that. So you need to get from there to control unit and then to your air bags.

You'll want a 3 way 12v pneumatic solenoid or two 2way solenoids and two flow regulators often called "speed control valve" for pneumatics (this slows the air flow so you don't dump 90psi into your airbags in half a second). You'll want one the pressure side and one for the exhaust. They are often mounted inline, but it's tidier to have them as part of the combined 3 way solenoid manifold assembly. Basically - choose two that have the same male thread as the solenoid and the outflow end as the air line quick fitting. They look like this:

It'll just slow the exhaust air. That setup not including compressor would cost something like $50. And then you'll also want a wired or wireless controller. A cheaper wireless PCB works fine or a wireless winch controller or whatever your choice of switching. What you'll need is to provide a ground and two positive switched connections - one energized to go up, one energized to go down. If you want to add a pressure gauge, then you'll want a pressure sensor sending unit to plumb in. And then you could add a wired or wireless pressure sensor on the manifold. All of those parts should be mounted up under the hood and the only thing to plumb back to the air springs is a supply line. It can both fill and deflate via that supply line.

The other very basic way to do this is to use one of these: Amazon product ASIN B09XRJN1GP . It's $20 and basically covers all of the functions in a single analog switch. You'd mount this somewhere like a rear quarter panel or ?? and you can go up or down super easy with limited wiring. It's what I would do if I were going to wire up an ARB compressor in my truck. I'd mount this in the rear bumper next to the license plate. And adjustment would only be done from there.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Jgrauman]

I had the twin ARB on my 80 for lockers. I had it plumbed to fill front and back for tires as well. I think I ran a Brad nailer off it one time. It was a high cost and tons of maintenance to keep it up and running. The seal kits were a pain and I always had leaks somewhere.

Go with the bike pump

 

[Tallenhouston]

Thanks for the replies. Great insight.