Modified Air Compressor System
I like having a portable air compressor in Gold Rush for airing up my tires after an adventure off-road. But it seems like a lot of work to use. I have to get the compressor out of where I have it stored, unbag it, open the hood, attach the power cables to the starter battery. Then unfurl the air hose and go to each tire one at a time, bend down, attach the air chuck to the valve stem, and check the air pressure with a gauge multiple times until I reach the desired pressure. Then repeat that process with each tire.
I don't look forward to the process every time I want to go driving off-road. So, I decided to create a system that would make the entire process much easier and quicker.
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I have four plastic storage tubs stacked on the passenger side of my extended cab platform. I placed the air compressor in one of these tubs. I then hard wired the power cables, through an Anderson connector, (and the positive cable through a circuit breaker) to the auxiliary batteries.
I used 3/8" Flexzilla air hose to create a system of hoses going from the air compressor, through a brass manifold, with a pressure gauge and an on/off lever, to each of the four tires.
I installed an air pressure valve on the compressor. This causes the compressor to shut off when it senses no air is being released through the hose. This means that when the hoses are connected to the tires and the lever is moved to the on position, air begins to flow. When I move the lever to the off position the compressor shuts off. Without this pressure valve the compressor would continue to run until the switch on the compressor itself was turned off.
This allows me to turn the lever on, let the tires air up a little then turn the lever off and check the air pressure in all four tires. I continue this process until I have reached my desired tire air pressure. I then disconnect the air hose from the compressor and all four tires, coil them up and store them under the platform.
As a backup in case the auxiliary power system fails, I hard wired a 4guage battery cable in the engine compartment with an Anderson connector. I can connect this connector directly to the compressor in the tub, provide power, and air up my tires.
So, enjoy the advantage of airing down your tires when going off-road for longer than a short distance and enjoy a smoother and more capable ride.
I don't look forward to the process every time I want to go driving off-road. So, I decided to create a system that would make the entire process much easier and quicker.
Continue Reading
I have four plastic storage tubs stacked on the passenger side of my extended cab platform. I placed the air compressor in one of these tubs. I then hard wired the power cables, through an Anderson connector, (and the positive cable through a circuit breaker) to the auxiliary batteries.
I used 3/8" Flexzilla air hose to create a system of hoses going from the air compressor, through a brass manifold, with a pressure gauge and an on/off lever, to each of the four tires.
I installed an air pressure valve on the compressor. This causes the compressor to shut off when it senses no air is being released through the hose. This means that when the hoses are connected to the tires and the lever is moved to the on position, air begins to flow. When I move the lever to the off position the compressor shuts off. Without this pressure valve the compressor would continue to run until the switch on the compressor itself was turned off.
This allows me to turn the lever on, let the tires air up a little then turn the lever off and check the air pressure in all four tires. I continue this process until I have reached my desired tire air pressure. I then disconnect the air hose from the compressor and all four tires, coil them up and store them under the platform.
As a backup in case the auxiliary power system fails, I hard wired a 4guage battery cable in the engine compartment with an Anderson connector. I can connect this connector directly to the compressor in the tub, provide power, and air up my tires.
So, enjoy the advantage of airing down your tires when going off-road for longer than a short distance and enjoy a smoother and more capable ride.
