Best type of air compressor for horn/tires?

[SR.GRINGO]

I just bought a real air horn--Grover they make them for the firetrucks but I restrained myself a little and didn't buy the firetruck version. So I need to buy a tank, compressor, and safety valve. It would be nice to be able to air my tires up and down as well. The horn operates between 60psi and 120psi. There is a 5 gallon tank on ebay that is 7"x34" with 7 ports.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7971101350

You can also buy a setup on ebay for $130 that includes a .5 gallon tank--I just think I could probably piece together something a little better.

I read about the one on Georges site but $400 just for the compressor is out of my budget.....

 

[Gauge]

Sr. Gringo,

I installed an air compressor used in the air suspension systems in older Cadillacs. I mounted the compressor next to the Land Cruiser's windshield washer bottle. Then I mounted a stainless steel fire extinguisher tank between the frame rails of the land cruiser right behind the front bumper. The advantages to using a fire extinguisher tank is that it is stainless and will never rust. Also it is a LOT lighter than a steel tank. Coincidentially, the fire extinguisher tank fits perfectly between the frame rails with about 1/4" of clearance on each side. I had to modify the valve on the fire extinguisher a little, but it was a simple tap and die mod.

The switch to turn the compressor on and off I mounted in the cabin using one of the available switch ports to the left of the steering wheel. I chose a swith that lights up when it turns on so I know if the compressor's on while I am driving. I also mounted my front lisence plate on a hinge and the front lisence plate now lifts up to reveal underneath an air gauge reading from 0 to 150PSI (which is backlit and turns on with the parking lights for easy nightime viewing) and an air chuck that I can connect an air hose to. I can fill my tires with air and even run small air tools from it if I want.

The tricky part as I recall was mounting the tank between the frame rails. I attached a small piece of angle iron under an existing bolt on both sides, and then used one of those long bolts you can buy to hang things from the ceiling with (like heaters, etc....) and mountd that bolt between the two pieces of angle iron. Then I used stainless steel clamps (dryer hose clamps), joined 2 clamps together and wrapped them around the tank and bolt. It is quite sturdy and will never rust. I think my tank is 4 gallons.

I have pictures of everything I did and have tried to share it with the group, but every time I try to post pictures I get the F%$#ing message telling me my pictures are too big. After 3 hours of cropping and trying to lower the resolution with no success, I nearly threw my computer out the window and gave up.

Send me a PM and I will send you some pics of what I did.

 

[Gauge]

By the way, I also have one of those BAAH - BIG ASS AIR HORNS, but I can't find anyplace to mount it. Where are you planning on mounting yours?

 

[Beowulf]

Gauge,

To resize pictures pick up a copy of IrfanView. It's a freebie and works with various Windows versions. It has a lot of other features and you can convert to and from just about all of the image formats out there.

Gringo,
The ExtremeAir is a large capacity air compressor. It requires some planning because it needs in the neighborhood of 60amps. The 3/4hp motor is rated for continuous duty.

-B-

 

[PKP80]

Don't use air compressor for tires, go CO2 unless you have all afternoon.

 

[SR.GRINGO]

Any opinions on the VIAIR 550 12V 150PSI it sells for $265 and is rated for continous duty. I was thinking I could mount the tank where the spare tire used to live.

flows 1.84cfm at 60psi,
1.24cfm at 100psi
max pressure 150psi
30 amp max draw
14.59"X9.84"X6.91"
weighs 18.5 lbs.

The viair 450 draws 23 amps max and goes for $189 it is rated for 100% duty.

I would go with CO2 but there isn't a very good place to fill them where I live and I don't need to worry about going dry with a compressor.

 

[Beowulf]

Gringo,

The Extreme Air is 4cfm @ 0 psi and you can pick it up for about $300 with some searching.

http://www.extremeoutback.com/index.cgi?cart_id=6470513.16025&pid=30

I mounted a 6 gal tank where the spare used to be so let me know if you want pics. As of today, the old compressors are also in the same area as the tank. I am pretty sure the Extreme Air will fit in the same space since there are 2 of the Caddy compressors in a box under there now. Unfortunately my wiring has to be redone to accomodate the 3/4 hp compressor and the brackets need to be beefed up to handle the additional weight.

I don't know about the ViaAir because I was looking for a LARGE capacity compressor. Those little jobs just don't cut it; even with a tank.

You are correct about the CO2. I have and use both and the biggest disadvantage of CO2 is that you will run out at the wrong time and you constantly have to get the bottle filled which is (for me anyway) a hassle.

-B-

 

[semlin]

gauge ditto what beowulf said about downloading irfanview and just use the resize control plus make sure you convert your files to .jpg (jpeg) format. they may never get small enough if you are using other formats like .gif or bmp.

As far as your compressor conversion goes, it sounds very cool. Can you give an idea of how long it takes the compresor to fill your tank and how long it takes to fill four tires from say 20 to 35 psi?