ARCHIVE Wits' End 200 Series OBA mounting discussion

[NLXTACY]

Over the past few months I've been neck deep in On Board Air (OBA). I've been heavily focused on the 8o Series but since I've had access to a 200 it was a no-brainer to work out similar solutions. The two most difficult pieces of the system are the compressor and the air tank.

For the compressor its really down to a few options: ARB, VIAIR, EXTREME, etc. Everything else just seems like not options for 200 owners

The decision for running a tank comes down to need. If you are planning on using air for anything other than filling your tires, an air tank is good to have. The air tank I've spec'd is 2.5 gallon rated for 200psi. That's plenty of air pressure for running air tools and helping with other air applications. Is it needed? Don't know about any one situation but its handy to have when you do need it.

There is actually plenty of room to mount the ARB twin or a VIAIR 450 under the hood but compressors don't like a lot of heat so personally I'm not a big fan of mounting compressors under the hood.

Over the next few days I will show some renders of the mounts that I am working on but both the compressor and the tank will have brackets developed for mounting them above the spare tire. These two photos show you basically where the tank and compressors can be mounted. I am also working on three different types if quick coupler mounts so that you can have options on where you want to mount the couplers.

Thoughts? Questions? Ask away!

 

[RS6tofj80]

Love it Joey...... I'd love to add a tank back there..... I'm not running a spare so there's lot's of room.

Great that you're working on 200 stuff !!


Cheers !

 

[NLXTACY]

Second version of the air coupler mounting. This one protects the air coupler when you have to mount it on a bumper or somewhere that you might wind up stepping on it.

 

[NLXTACY]

Bracket No. 3
This one has the most potential. This one let's you mount the Quick Connect air couple and the #AndersonPP #SB50 connector WITH environmental boot. 120A capacity on the SB-50 btw

 

[NLXTACY]

@spressomon

 

[NLXTACY]

There will be four air coupler mounting options. Here is the final designs for each.

 

[NLXTACY]

Quick update. Version #1 of the quick coupler mounting kit is test and finalized.

Air Coupler Flat Mounting Bracket has been machined as a one-off so I can test it and so far I'm really liking it. This particular bracket is best for edge mounting surfaces where damage isn't a likely issue. This can be mounted out of the way somewhere but still easily accessible. Material is 316 stainless to bed guarantee zero corrosion from water, salt or chemicals.

Brackets available by themselves or as a ready made kit that includes bracket, mounting hardware, bulkhead fitting, air coupler, 3/8" push to connect fitting, 15ft of 3/8" nylon 11 tubing and air coupler dust cap.

The tiny hole off to the side is for a stainless steel lanyard in case there is a need. No pricing or availability yet as I'm still waiting on a few components but here is where this piece is as of now.

 

[Markuson]

Quick update. Version #1 of the quick coupler mounting kit is test and finalized.

Air Coupler Flat Mounting Bracket has been machined as a one-off so I can test it and so far I'm really liking it. This particular bracket is best for edge mounting surfaces where damage isn't a likely issue. This can be mounted out of the way somewhere but still easily accessible. Material is 316 stainless to bed guarantee zero corrosion from water, salt or chemicals.

Brackets available by themselves or as a ready made kit that includes bracket, mounting hardware, bulkhead fitting, air coupler, 3/8" push to connect fitting, 15ft of 3/8" nylon 11 tubing and air coupler dust cap.

The tiny hole off to the side is for a stainless steel lanyard in case there is a need. No pricing or availability yet as I'm still waiting on a few components but here is where this piece is as of now.

View attachment 1408971

So you basically never have to pop the hood to tie into your compressor? Just pick a spot, mount this thing in the rear, or close to drawers where you store the inflation tube and off you go? I guess you could even leave your fill tubing connected if the valve was run/mounted inside the rear space? It would be really nice to have air on tap with just a button press & no tubes to connect/disconnect.

 

[NLXTACY]

Here is the second option for an Air Coupler 90deg Mounting Bracket. This one is ideal for an area that has a flat mounting surface but still in a relatively safe location. The 90deg bend makes it simple for mounting pretty much anywhere using the supplied hardware.
This is another one-off just for testing.
Brackets will be available by themselves or as a ready made kit that includes bracket, mounting hardware, bulkhead fitting, air coupler, 3/8" push to connect fitting, 15ft of 3/8" nylon 11 tubing and air coupler dust cap.

Same tiny hole off to the side is for a stainless steel lanyard in case there is a need.

 

[NLXTACY]

So you basically never have to pop the hood to tie into your compressor? Just pick a spot, mount this thing in the rear, or close to drawers where you store the inflation tube and off you go? I guess you could even leave your fill tubing connected if it was mounted inside the rear space? It would be really nice to have air on tap with just a button press & no tubes to connect/disconnect.

That's the idea basically. You'll see in the next few posts why I mention mounting this someplace where it likely mount be damaged.

 

[Markuson]

That's the idea basically. You'll see in the next few posts why I mention mounting this someplace where it likely mount be damaged.

I'm thinking along one side of an ARB drawer fit-kit...in the gap that is always free of stuff between the rear hatch and the drawer/fit-kit face.

 

[NLXTACY]

Aaaaand here is the next Air Coupler U Mounting Bracket which is ideal for bumper mounting or anywhere it's likely that this could be stepped on. The other two designs have the Air Coupler cantilevered off the bracket. Not an issue unless it gets stepped on the things aren't happy. Well if you know this will be going into the bumper or some other hazardous area, this might be the way to go.

316 stainless is a very hard steel and is very corrosion resistant to pretty much anything you can throw at it. But because of the extra hoop around the front it'll hold up better if you wind up stepping on it.

This particular mount will get one small change that I noticed while I was assembling the kit.

 

[Markuson]

Aaaaand here is the next Air Coupler U Mounting Bracket which is ideal for bumper mounting or anywhere it's likely that this could be stepped on. The other two designs have the Air Coupler cantilevered off the bracket. Not an issue unless it gets stepped on the things aren't happy. Well if you know this will be going into the bumper or some other hazardous area, this might be the way to go.

316 stainless is a very hard steel and is very corrosion resistant to pretty much anything you can throw at it. But because of the extra hoop around the front it'll hold up better if you wind up stepping on it.

This particular mount will get one small change that I noticed while I was assembling the kit.

View attachment 1409014

Bumper mount even better. No need to even open the back or open tire-carrier swing-outs/hatch/drawers. Just plug in and boom. Any idea how much these kits will cost?

**Could you add a rubber cap to keep back-end dust/road crud from filling the valve? Maybe with a retention device on the cap?

 

[NLXTACY]

Bumper mount even better. No need to even open the back or open tire-carrier swing-outs/hatch/drawers. Just plug in and boom. Any idea how much these kits will cost?

**Could you add a rubber cap to keep back-end dust/road crud from filling the valve? Maybe with a retention device on the cap?

I'm still working out the price. I have to use a different shop for the 316 stainless. There is a tethered cap but I'm not getting the correct one til maybe Monday.

 

[NLXTACY]

And the pièce de résistance! Here is the Air Coupler and Anderson SB50 power connector with environmental boot.

This bracket secures and protects both the Air Coupler and Power Connection. Since this is for the sb50 connector it's limited to 120A. It's a bummer I didn't get the correct boot for the Air Coupler for these pics but I really didn't feel like waiting

As a kit this will include: the bracket, mounting hardware, SB50 connector and terminals, environmental boot, Parker Air Coupler, bulkhead fitting, 3/8" push to connect fitting, 15ft of Nylon 11 tubing. Basically everything you need to rock-n-roll!

 

[Narkhelek]

And the pièce de résistance! Here is the Air Coupler and Anderson SB50 power connector with environmental boot.

Excuse my ignorance but what is the SB50 connector for?

 

[NLXTACY]

Excuse my ignorance but what is the SB50 connector for?

The connector is rated for up to 120A so it could be used for powering a camping trailer or a stand alone solar panel(s) or really whatever else that hi-amp connection is needed. A winch? No. Jumper cables? No. Both of those draw upwards of 500A.

 

[RS6tofj80]

Joey - I'm in for the tank and rear connectors..... will you be offering a kit for the 200's that have an ARB under the hood ? like to keep it there but have the tank connected in with a rear connector for tools etc......

E

 

[Markuson]

Joey - I'm in for the tank and rear connectors..... will you be offering a kit for the 200's that have an ARB under the hood ? like to keep it there but have the tank connected in with a rear connector for tools etc......

E

That was my next question. I have an ARB too...

 

[NLXTACY]

Still working on stuff. After talking to a few people about these Air Coupler and Anderson brackets, I've moved forward with the same design but this time incorporating the larger Anderson #SB175 connector to use with 1/0 cable for things like winches and jumper cables. This one will be going into production at the same time as the others.