OBA - Viair install (changed from where to mount switch)

1802 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by johncanfield, Nov 23, 2010

johncanfield

Discussion Starter · Nov 21, 2010

Edit: Changed the subject to be more descriptive

I did a little work on the OBA install today and the tank and compressor are mounted and thoughts are now turning toward the rest of the install.

If you aren't tuned into my ViAir install, I have the tank and compressor mounted on the tailgate and as I was pondering running air line and a couple of wires up front, I was thinking about installing the air gauge and switch panel either on the tailgate, or at the back of the tub somewhere - this would greatly simplify the install.

Obviously airing up means I stop, open the tailgate, flip the switch and wait for the tank to fill. If I locate the switch panel in the dash area, I can turn on the compressor before we stop to air up, that's a bit more handy, but I'm not certain it is worth the trouble.

If I mount the switch panel at the rear, then I only need to run 12V from the battery back to the tailgate. If I mount the panel up front, I need to run an extra wire and the air line.

I was also going to mount the air hose connector at the rear of the tub on the inside - any reason to have it outside?

Your thoughts are appreciated

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

mac

· #2 · Nov 22, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

John,

keep it simple....

i am returning the switch to the compressor as I don`t want the extra wires running into the cab.
:wink:

87Warrior

· #3 · Nov 22, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

I like having a gauge on the dash and under the hood (where my manifold/coupler is). It lets me monitor everything no matter where I am. Having the push button (on/off) switch is also extremely convenient. You know, at the end of the day when heading back to the staging area/parking lot I can just press the button while moving, and when I stop there is 150psi waiting for me to air up.

However, with your set up, it would be much simpler to have 1 gauge at the tank with the on/off at the tank as well. I highly doubt you will want to be driving down the road with the compressor roaring inside the cab. The noise these electric compressors make it rather deafening.

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johncanfield

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 22, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

Okay - that's three of us that like the KISS approach. Looks like having it on/near the tank makes the most sense. Guess that applies to the air outlet as well - I don't see any reason to have it outside since the included coiled hose will reach the front tires.

Yea - just another hour or two of work and that install should be completed.

Thanks ya'll!

Hi-Lift

· #5 · Nov 22, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

I would also keep the connector inside. You won't have a problem with trying to keep it covered to keep mud and grime out of the connection. I have mine outside in front and rear and can't keep the rear one operational due to it's freezing up frequently. Nice job.

MTDIRK

· #6 · Nov 22, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

Why bother with the tank if you are not going to fill it until you stop to fill your tires? I had the 2.5 G tank in mine and figured out with my 37s that after one tire the volume of the tank was empty and the tires were really just filling from the compressor. I decided the tank wasn't worth the space it took up. So with that in mind I recommend you mount the switch and gauge by the drivers seat so you can hit the switch about 20 min before you stop.

DAA

· #7 · Nov 22, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

MTDIRK said:
Why bother with the tank if you are not going to fill it until you stop to fill your tires?

Agree 100%. I actually did some time testing with two MV50's together, vs. one Puma by itself, vs. all three of them together, all with two different sized tanks. It all comes down to "it depends". Depends on the amount of air the compressor is putting out, depends on the size of the tires, depends on what psi you start airing them up at and how high of a psi you air them up to, depends on how much pressure in the tank, depends on how big the tank. And so on... But, in general, I found the tank either to not make airing up my tires any faster, or to actually make it take longer - depending.

To cut to the chase... Starting at 12 psi in the tires and airing them up to 30 psi, with two MV50's and anything bigger than a 1 gallon tank, it's just as fast to fill all four tires WITHOUT the tank. The first tire goes faster, but the other three all take longer, because you're having to fill the tank up to 30 psi too. So I went with the smaller tank, 1 gallon, and really for reasons other than making it faster to air up, because it doesn't make it any faster. I think the two MV50's each put out as much air as that Viair, so with that big tank you have, it's definitely going to take longer to fill your tires than it would without the tank at all. That's with the tank starting out full. But with it starting out empty, it's really going to take longer.

So, agree, put the switch where you can start filling that tank ahead of time, or else just lose the tank altogether.

- DAA

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johncanfield

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 22, 2010

Yea - almost completed

All-righty

Got to fire up the compressor late today to check it out with a temporary wire to the battery. Impressions: a) it's not that noisy, b) only takes about 4-5 minutes to fill the tank, c) the head gets hot, and d) it really won't run a 3/8" impact wrench (didn't think it would since it wasn't rated for such)

Absolutely no regrets about the setup (at this point anyway) other than welding mounting plates to the tailgate - should have used blind nuts instead (it was a good welding exercise at any rate.) Having the switch (and a tank) on the tailgate will work out fine - I can leave air in the tank (no leaks at this point) and turn on the compressor when I stop to air up.

Not sure if I have ever said which model Viair I bought - it's the Constant Duty model. That's an interesting comment about not needing a tank - guess it's a moot point since I already have one

The attached picture is with the install not quite complete - I need to tidy up the wiring and run the 12V source to the battery. Also I used 300 psi-rated 1/4" rubber hose for the intake and 3/8" rubber hose for the output instead of the more rigid plastic tube supplied in the kit.

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'05TJLWBRUBY

· #9 · Nov 22, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

Wow-I don't know that I've ever seen a setup mounted there before, but I have to admit, I really like what you did! I carry so much crap with me that I'm not sure I'd get away with it, but it sure is a nifty little setup and is definitely a great idea. Nice work!!! Looks like it came out pretty well. Good thinking!

Best of Luck,

Mike

johncanfield

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 23, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

Thanks so much Mike! Not sure how the idea of mounting it on the tailgate came to me, but I'm grateful for a rare and brief moment of inspiration! I think the tailgate mounting will work well for me since we are an LJ and don't have the rear seat installed - plenty of room for stuff.

MTDIRK

· #11 · Nov 23, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

That's the same kit I got. I must say the final product looks a lot nicer than those first pics I was really thinking fugly. You may want to consider some type of protective cover just so you don't have to worry about everything you put in the back of the jeep bumping it and causing a loose fitting or other incidental interior trail damage. I carry as much crap as Mike, but not as much as TenaciousTJ and I think I would have to strap/secure everything towards the front so it doesn't slide into or a sharp edge cut a hose.

'05TJLWBRUBY

· #12 · Nov 23, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

MTDIRK said:
I carry as much crap as Mike, but not as much as TenaciousTJ and I think I would have to strap/secure everything towards the front so it doesn't slide into or a sharp edge cut a hose.

:rotflmao: Ain't that the truth!

You back in town for a while?

Best of Luck,

Mike

Hi-Lift

· #13 · Nov 23, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

Great looking setup. My only concern would be the weight of the system on the tailgate hinges. I know it's less weight than the original spare tire carrier but those frequently led to rattling tailgates. Ask me how I know that! I love the idea and the neat job you did with it. :rock:

johncanfield

Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 23, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

Hi-Lift said:
Great looking setup. My only concern would be the weight of the system on the tailgate hinges. I know it's less weight than the original spare tire carrier but those frequently led to rattling tailgates. Ask me how I know that! I love the idea and the neat job you did with it. :rock:

Thanks so much for the kind remarks!

I am getting new bumpers fabbed (Eddie [BSERK] of Ground Pounder is building them this weekend) and the spare tire will be off the tailgate in a few days, so there will me much less weight riding on the tailgate with the OBA than the spare, otherwise I would have chosen another location for the install.

Great point about stuff colliding with the OBA - I've been thinking about netting, boxes, barrier bars, etc. I want to prepare for a flop but hope it never happens! We wheel with a Corgi, so I need to keep her from colliding with the OBA.

'05TJLWBRUBY

· #15 · Nov 23, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

johncanfield said:
We wheel with a Corgi, so I need to keep her from colliding with the OBA.

You should compare notes with Dale (Kidmugg) as I believe he wheels with a couple of them!

Best of Luck,

Mike

TenaciousTJ

· #16 · Nov 23, 2010

Re: OBA - locate the gauge/switch panel up front? Near tank?

[quote='05TJLWBRUBY]

johncanfield said:
We wheel with a Corgi, so I need to keep her from colliding with the OBA.

You should compare notes with Dale (Kidmugg) as I believe he wheels with a couple of them!

Best of Luck,

Mike[/quote]

Yes he does, I recall watching them bounce around on both the back of his Jeep, and the Polaris Razor in Moab :laugh:

johncanfield

Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 23, 2010

4

We're finished with the OBA

Been thinking about a wire cage I can attach to the rear seat rails to contain Sassy the Corgi while we wheel to keep her from flying about if we get into an out of control situation. Or, if I can train her to wear a seat belt... :rotflmao: She's a good dog and really enjoys getting out and messing in the mountain streams when we stop for a break when we wheel in the San Juans.

Anyway, wrapped up the OBA install after lunch today :rahm: I have a very small air leak somewhere that I can't find, the only part I couldn't soap down was the inside of the pressure switch and the air gauge itself. Oh well.. Overall, I'm extremely pleased with the outcome and glad to have this part of the Rubicon's metamorphosis behind me. Next I think I'll get my ham 2 meter radio installed and I need to order a CB and get that installed as well.

The major upcoming project will be the bumpers and installing my MM 10,500 hydraulic winch.

Thanks again everybody for the helpful suggestions and thanks for following along.

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