LX gets Onboard Air (1 Viewer)

[TeCKis300]

IMHO no it's not. Back in the Stone age a tank was used for impact tools for repair and tire changing but with the advent of more powerful battery powered tools the original premise becomes mute. Look at this way it takes x amount of air to fill a tire now whether you pump it beforehand or on demand still same amount of air. Now if you had an eighty gallon tank sure you could pump it up beforehand but a 1 or 2 gallon tank meh? BUT if said tank was chrome plated that's a different story.

A small tank is not as insignificant as you presume. It's one of the best ways to supercharge an OBA system. Consider the following:

1) 1 gallon is small yes. But 1 gallon @160 psi is worth 4 gallons of air volume at 40psi.
2) Creating a pressure advantage in a small volume tank at a much higher pressure than target pressure can greatly speed the transfer of same volume of air into a tire, versus on demand pumping which probably only creates a 10psi differential if that. Assuming that the pump is still fast enough to recover that advantage between tires. Bigger tank takes a bigger pump, otherwise the tank is just a burden.

My original goal for a small tank was also to support things like an air blow gun, etc. More is just more sometimes, and I'm really liking the simplicity of it all at the moment.

 

[RET2]

In reality I think we're saying the same thing? Your premise #1 may be correct however I don't believe any of the types of compressors in question will pump to 160 psi ? An 80 gallon 5 hp garage unit maybe. The real beauty of the subject is both of our units will roll down the trail quite fine. Cheers,

 

[TeCKis300]

Just tech discussions and I apologize if the tone doesn't translate well in text. And I agree, many successful ways to skin a cat.

The pump I have will do 200psi, which is worth 5 gallons of air at 40psi. Was part of my original strategy in pairing with a small volume tank.

 

[TeCKis300]

Got the engine bay cleaned up and my covers back on after the last offroad excursion. Discrete OBA.

Got some requests for a parts list:
1) Viair 444C - $185
2) Arb hose and inflation kit - $36
3) 8.5" compressor hose - $10
4) 1/4 NPT coupler - $4
5) Resettable fuse breaker / switch - $11
6) 150 Pressure switch - $11

Total: $257

Misc:
6) 1/4" and 3/8" split loop to protect wiring and hose
7) 2' power wire, 2x ring terminals
8) Custom bracket made from 1.5" AL angle stock

Optional:
8) Inflator with gauge and purge function (ARB kit comes with a basic one, but good to have an inflator with air bleeder function to purge the OBA, and of course guage)

 

[RET2]

Just a quick suggestion, put a brass 90 out of the male QD then into the hose, could prevent hose kink/failure?

 

[TeCKis300]

Thanks for the suggestion. The QD port is somewhat countersunk, so a right angle may cause interference issues.

The ARB hose is a nice piece however, with a good strain relieve built in. Highly recommended.

 

[changingground]

Nice project. I’m looking forward to doing something similar on my LX470.

 

[TeCKis300]

Had a question asking how this setup is doing.

Working dandy and I use it all the time. To air up after off-road, air up my trailer or other cars, working just great, fast, and reliably.

Things I might do differently, not much. I haven't added a tank and I don't intend to at this point. Anything from the Viair C, H, or IG lines of compressors can work as they are sealed and IP67 rated. For strictly tire fill use which is lower pressures, I'd focus less on duty cycle, less on maximum PSI, and more on volume. The 400 and 420 compressors look good in their current line-up. Pair that with a few accessories and have OBA for ~$230.

 

[dubyahard]

Had a question asking how this setup is doing.

Working dandy and I use it all the time. To air up after off-road, air up my trailer or other cars, working just great, fast, and reliably.

Things I might do differently, not much. I haven't added a tank and I don't intend to at this point. Anything from the Viair C, H, or IG lines of compressors can work as they are sealed and IP67 rated. For strictly tire fill use which is lower pressures, I'd focus less on duty cycle, less on maximum PSI, and more on volume. The 400 and 420 compressors look good in their current line-up. Pair that with a few accessories and have OBA for ~$230.

My Viair 85P has the duty cycle to do all four tires but MAN it is slow! I thought that maybe using the MORRflate would help some but nope. The final 7-8 PSI are a struggle.

 

[TeCKis300]

My Viair 85P has the duty cycle to do all four tires but MAN it is slow! I thought that maybe using the MORRflate would help some but nope. The final 7-8 PSI are a struggle.

To be fair, the 85P is in a wholly different class of compressor as a compact portable unit. It's on the order of ~33% the speed/capacity of the units I quoted above. Only commonality is the Viair brand and the general commendable quality of their units.

None of the Viair compressors are going to be the monster that is the Arb dual compressor, but none are priced like it either.

One can get ~2/3rds the performance f the Arb Dual with a Viair 420C that I quoted above. At less than half the price. As mentioned earlier, focus on CFM @20 and 40psi. Don't worry about duty cycle as pressures for tires are not going to be as taxing as it is to fill air tanks. Mounting as I have with great airflow right in front of the radiators makes them practically 100% duty cycle.

I run with a group where several have the Arb Duals. I'm usually finished within few minutes of them so speed is a non-issue IMO. If one has a beast with 37s, okay, sure get the arb dual.

 

[BAY2MTN]

To be fair, the 85P is in a wholly different class of compressor as a compact portable unit. It's on the order of ~33% the speed/capacity of the units I quoted above. Only commonality is the Viair brand and the general commendable quality of their units.

None of the Viair compressors are going to be the monster that is the Arb dual compressor, but none are priced like it either.

One can get ~2/3rds the performance f the Arb Dual with a Viair 420C that I quoted above. At less than half the price. As mentioned earlier, focus on CFM @20 and 40psi. Don't worry about duty cycle as pressures for tires are not going to be as taxing as it is to fill air tanks. Mounting as I have with great airflow right in front of the radiators makes them practically 100% duty cycle.

I run with a group where several have the Arb Duals. I'm usually finished within few minutes of them so speed is a non-issue IMO. If one has a beast with 37s, okay, sure get the arb dual.

Any suggestion on comparable portable Viair units? 400P Auto or...? Not sold on the hard mount, yet.

 

[TeCKis300]

Any suggestion on comparable portable Viair units? 400P Auto or...? Not sold on the hard mount, yet.

The Viair 400P is a beast in its own right as a portable and I believe you'll be quite happy with it. My other buddy has this and he's usually finished close to everyone else with a bit more setup and tear down. All pretty fast and we're usually shooting the breeze longer than babysitting airing up.

I was going to go this route too but the LX has covers blocking the battery terminals. Could setup some Anderson plugs to work around it. OBA does have the benefit of not having to deal with storing these rather large, and potentially hot after use, compressors. For the time and effort invested, the hard mount was worth it IMO.

 

[Ratchey]

I have the 400P and am very happy with it. I did have it hard mounted in my 4Runner but it is back in portable mode. Mounting it in the LX is on my list of things to do before the NW Overland Rally.
Viair 400P

 

[dubyahard]

I have the 400P and am very happy with it. I did have it hard mounted in my 4Runner but it is back in portable mode. Mounting it in the LX is on my list of things to do before the NW Overland Rally.
Viair 400P

I see it is only rated IP54 versus IP67 for some of the C-line models. Where do you plan on mounting it?

 

[Sinister]

I have the 400p as well. I think its more than enough for what I use if for and Very pleased with it.

 

[grinchy]

The Viair 400P is a beast in its own right as a portable and I believe you'll be quite happy with it. My other buddy has this and he's usually finished close to everyone else with a bit more setup and tear down. All pretty fast and we're usually shooting the breeze longer than babysitting airing up.

I was going to go this route too but the LX has covers blocking the battery terminals. Could setup some Anderson plugs to work around it. OBA does have the benefit of not having to deal with storing these rather large, and potentially hot after use, compressors. For the time and effort invested, the hard mount was worth it IMO.

Before I got the arb twin I used a portable. I just used a hole saw to cut holes over the battery’s terminals for easy alligator clip attachment.

 

[Ratchey]

I see it is only rated IP54 versus IP67 for some of the C-line models. Where do you plan on mounting it?

Haven't really looked yet to see where there is room. In my 4Runner I had it mounted on the left side near the firewall.
4Runner Install

 

[BigMF]

It's a large unit. I mounted it directly on top of the crashbar to keep it away from engine heat. It's breather and air coupler will be mounted away from the front to keep those out of the elements. I would have preferred it not be bright chrome, but it'll be discrete enough.

Very nice and innovative. I like it.

When you say "breather", are you referring to the port where the air is sucked in? That big round thing (forgive my non-technical jargon) on the end? Did you end up running some kind of hose to a different location to avoid dust or water? My worry would be water getting in there during a rare deep crossing.

Also, did you cut the styrofoam away from the crash bar to mount it?

 

[TeCKis300]

Yup, you got it. I have the filtered intake breather remotely installed high up behind the passenger side headlight. Everything down below where the pump is mounted is environmentally sealed. So no worry about dust or water, or even water crossings getting water into the pump.

Yes, I cut the styrofoam away where the pump sits on top of the crash bar.

 

[BigMF]

Got some requests for a parts list:
1) Viair 444C - $185
2) Arb hose and inflation kit - $36
3) 8.5" compressor hose - $10
4) 1/4 NPT coupler - $4
5) Resettable fuse breaker / switch - $11
6) 150 Pressure switch - $11

So, received my Viair today and now I have some questions before tackling the install:

1. Is the 8.5" compressor hose you mention for connecting the pump to the ARB quick disconnect?
2. What is the 150 pressure switch used for and how did you install this? Or, is this just used if you have a tank that you want to keep at a certain pressure?
3. I think I know the answer to this but is the "fuse breaker/switch" used on the positive wire? I assume so and you'd just run ground to the frame or something but wanted to double-check.
4. How did you actually mount it to the crash bar? Drill holes to meet the necessary pattern? Also, did you treat the crash bar with any kind of rust-protection after drilling?
5. Did you remove the grill to work on it?

Thanks!