Anyone running on board air?

AstroOafAdventurer · 2023-05-17

I bought a 5# propane tank awhile back for something that didin't pan out. Was thinking of converting it to an air tank and strapping it under the van somewhere. I got an eye out for a good deal on a Viair compressor, used or new. Not that I have much of a need for it, but sure would be nice to have when I do. Not even sure how well the 5# tank would stash up under the van...

AstroWill

· #2 · 19 d ago

I think onboard air is becoming outdated faster than than last years iPhone. LOL Ok, maybe not quite that fast. A 5# tank of air is, um, not a lot, would be easy to find a place to stuff it.

I don't think it makes a whole lot of sense these days with portable electric impact wrenches, drivers, air filling, drills, etc.

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bryancraftyhands

· #3 · 19 d ago

It could be used for some train horns perhaps. Can't just blow them anywhere though.
Could always use it as a portable air tank to keep around the home for other inflation needs.
Is it no good for propane anymore?

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AstroOafAdventurer

Discussion Starter · #4 · 19 d ago

AstroWill said:
I think onboard air is becoming outdated faster than than last years iPhone. LOL Ok, maybe not quite that fast. A 5# tank of air is, um, not a lot, would be easy to find a place to stuff it.

I don't think it makes a whole lot of sense these days with portable electric impact wrenches, drivers, air filling, drills, etc.

Yeah, agreed. But if I didn't already have the tank I wouldn't have thought of it.
I have been wanting to get a small 12v air pump though, and a small tank definietly lends to its usefulness.

bryancraftyhands said:
It could be used for some train horns perhaps. Can't just blow them anywhere though.
Could always use it as a portable air tank to keep around the home for other inflation needs.
Is it no good for propane anymore?

I bought it for propane, but never used it so as far as I know it's never held propane.
I was going to install a small heater in the sliding door, but upon further inspection I should have done before buying I found it's not going to work. Going to sell the heater, and the tank along with it if I can.
I'd like to do some long road trips in it, the OBA would be nice with a small tank, but probably better off just buying a system. Viair makes some lower range models with lower duty cycles but would more than suffice for my needs and/or seldom use.

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bryancraftyhands

· #5 · 19 d ago

Yes, unless you have air brakes or train or larger horns, it would just take up space and add weight.
You can not install the heater elsewhere?
I've not thought anything of using any kind of combustion heater for inside use. I have a 30lb LPG, a 2200 watt generator, two 18ah jump packs with inverters to power a heat pad in a 0 degree rated sleep bag. I also have a 100w inverter that plugs into a cigarette lighter that I can use to charge the jump pack while running the engine if I don't have a wall to plug into. I an always fall back on the engine for emergency heat if I were to need to until I decide on a more suitable interior heat supply if I have to.

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AstroWill

· #6 · 19 d ago

AstroOafAdventurer said:
Yeah, agreed. But if I didn't already have the tank I wouldn't have thought of it.
I have been wanting to get a small 12v air pump though, and a small tank definietly lends to its usefulness.

I carry one that I paid like $15 for on sale, keep it stored in the jack area, weighs next to nothing and will take care of topping up a tire and filling the kids basketballs/etc. Last used it to fill up someones hand-truck tires. Maybe the propane tank could be repurposed for a camping stove or something.

Tell us more about your heater

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augidog

· #7 · 18 d ago

in my youth, i ran a mobile mechanic service out of a 1980 Dodge B300. I had a 20 gal tank and a simple regulator, and kept it topped off with a cheapo 12V compressor. it was (sometimes) a useful resource, but only barely. i can't imagine any personal situation where a gallon or two of air would save my bacon. or even be useful, if i'm being honest.

that van...it was one tough bastige. i had a salvaged antique swingarm lamp with a 12V trouble bulb, that was a handy item, not to mention its cool factor. i re-worked the hood letters to read "DOG"...i earned a decent living with it for a couple years.

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sixsix

· #8 · 18 d ago

"Gallons of Air"... how quaint.

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AstroOafAdventurer

Discussion Starter · #9 · 18 d ago

AstroWill said:
I carry one that I paid like $15 for on sale, keep it stored in the jack area, weighs next to nothing and will take care of topping up a tire and filling the kids basketballs/etc. Last used it to fill up someones hand-truck tires. Maybe the propane tank could be repurposed for a camping stove or something.

Tell us more about your heater

Another reason for something mounted underneath, my intention being a campervan eventually will benefit having less to stow inside.
Now the heater, I'd bought a Camco Olympian Wave-3, on hi puts out 300BTU, on low 1500. I got the idea I could cut a hole in the front lower inside of the slider and mount it in there when I bought it to have as emergency heat. Last weekend after removing the last remnents of the conversion bits from my door, the slider trim panels, I realized it won't work as I'd hoped.
I'd still like to open the cavity, maybe use it for some extra storage, and maybe reassess the heater.

augidog said:
in my youth, i ran a mobile mechanic service out of a 1980 Dodge B300. I had a 20 gal tank and a simple regulator, and kept it topped off with a cheapo 12V compressor. it was (sometimes) a useful resource, but only barely. i can't imagine any personal situation where a gallon or two of air would save my bacon. or even be useful, if i'm being honest.

that van...it was one tough bastige. i had a salvaged antique swingarm lamp with a 12V trouble bulb, that was a handy item, not to mention its cool factor. i re-worked the hood letters to read "DOG"...i earned a decent living with it for a couple years.

That's kind of a secondary plan on a smaller scale. My "camper" design dedicates a good amount of space for my tools, floor jack, ramps, and jack stands so I can be more or less self sufficient for repairs and maintenence. And as well be able to offer help if the need arises.
I'd like to go on extended road trips, and I certainly don't have the funds to pay for repairs, nor do I care to if I have the means.
Not looking for it to save my bacon, just a nicety to have.
😉

sixsix said:
"Gallons of Air"... how quaint.

Well shoot, I reckon a 20 gallon aquarium empty is holding 20 gallons of air and techincally an air tank...
🤣

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AstroOafAdventurer

Discussion Starter · #10 · 18 d ago

bryancraftyhands said:
Yes, unless you have air brakes or train or larger horns, it would just take up space and add weight.
You can not install the heater elsewhere?
I've not thought anything of using any kind of combustion heater for inside use. I have a 30lb LPG, a 2200 watt generator, two 18ah jump packs with inverters to power a heat pad in a 0 degree rated sleep bag. I also have a 100w inverter that plugs into a cigarette lighter that I can use to charge the jump pack while running the engine if I don't have a wall to plug into. I an always fall back on the engine for emergency heat if I were to need to until I decide on a more suitable interior heat supply if I have to.

I still want to open the sliding door cavity to at least utilize as storage, but there really isn't any other out of the way place to mount the heater. If needed though, I can always crank the van up and get it's heater going.
I'll have to get a heating pad as well, but I've got a DC-DC charger to run off the alternator, a LiFePO4 battery, inverter, and a DC converter so I can power it all with 110.
While any travel plans would be avoiding typically colder areas, seems typical is out the window with freak snow storms in Texas and LA lol

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bryancraftyhands

· #11 · 18 d ago

AstroOafAdventurer said:
Well shoot, I reckon a 20 gallon aquarium empty is holding 20 gallons of air and techincally an air tank...

This is a relative example of why I say the glass is full if I am asked if it is half empty or half full.

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97cargocrawler

· #12 · 12 d ago

3

I have been very thankful for mine over the past year. Several times the tires were flat when I was leaving for work...and a few times spontaneously flat while driving (INTERCO tires are SHIT!)

I put mine where the spare tire used to be, embedded inside my rear subframe.

It's one of those things that's either useful to YOU or it isn't.

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augidog

· #13 · 11 d ago (Edited)

sixsix said:
"Gallons of Air"... how quaint.

that's how it felt when i typed it. i knew you'd know i meant volume, and of course i gave benefit of doubt that you know how much air can be reasonably stuffed into a gallon.

97cargocrawler said:
It's one of those things that's either useful to YOU or it isn't.

this right here, yes. i'd like to know the specs, or...you have a link to that project?

re smaller tanks...an economy regulator to match the moment would be a good idea, along with as short a hose as you can get away with.

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AstroWill

· #14 · 10 d ago

Basic light duty 10% duty cycle systems for air horns, lockers, etc start at about $200. Continuous duty systems start at about $500. See: VIAIR® Corporation – 12-Volt & 24-Volt Air Compressors and Tire Inflators | Your Vital Air Source

augidog said:
it was (sometimes) a useful resource, but only barely. i can't imagine any personal situation where a gallon or two of air would save my bacon. or even be useful, if i'm being honest.

I hear that, I guess if I knew I was going to be filling up 10+tires I would probably just bring a scuba tank with as that is handy. But for just topping off a tire, my little 12v works just fine. Though I have thought about one of the battery powered ones that had the auto-shutoff, just set the pressure and walk away. Guess if I find one at a yard sale for a decent price I would grab it, but not worth what a new one costs IMO.

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