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Breathegood
09-09-2009, 04:10 PM
I recently swapped my MasterFlow with a Viair 330C compressor and simplified much of the plumbing of my OBA system to eliminate potential leakage points. So far, it's worked out great. I still have a slow leak, but it only takes 10 minutes to get from naught to 125psi and takes nearly 36 hours to leak down to nothing....I think I can live with that. However, while I was out wheeling this weekend, one of the air lines from my tank to a quick disconnect fitting blew off it's nipple and left me with a system that could not be pressurized. I thought my wife was going to jump through the roof when it blew!!!

I would like to know if there is a simple pneumatic switch block or valved manifold that I could install that would allow me to bypass my air tank all together and air up tires straight from the compressor if I need to. I need one in and three out. I don't need the switch to be remote or anything, it would more-or-less only be used as a last resort.

Currently the whole system is plumbed as follows:
-There is a single line from the compessor to a three way manifold with a check valve installed inline.
-One port of the manifold leads to the pressure switch and monitoring gauge, the other leads to a 2.5 gallon tank.
-Off of the tank, I have two air lines going to quick disconnects mounted on the outside of the tool box.

Here is the thread detailing my setup. I'm currently using a different compressor and this setup is NOT used for my ARB. The locker has it's own, dedicated compressor under the hood.
http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76325&highlight=thinking+inside+the+box

FWIW, the Viair compressor was definately a worthwhile upgrade from a MasterFlow with a leaky head. Yeah, it was kind of $$$, but it is a much, Much, MUCH nicer compressor. 100% duty cycle and 150psi max working pressure make it quite a bit more robust. It is very well constructed and uses the same mounting footprint. I also ditched the teflon tape for thread sealer on all the connections.

firebox40dash5
09-09-2009, 09:49 PM
Why not replace the 3-way manifold with a 4-port cross, and put a ball valve in the line to the tank to cut it off? Seems like that would be the cheapest, easiest solution, and would be easy enough to use if you're only using it once in a while.

You could just put another QD on that extra port, or just plumb it to one of your existing QDs and put a check valve in the line from the tank to that QD to keep it from trying to fill the tank that way.

pray4surf
09-10-2009, 09:36 AM
Twice in the past year, I've had an airline 'blow' off of the fitting while on the trail. Scared both me and my wife both times it happened... Luckily, it has been an easy fix each time (once the engine compartment cooled).... On those brass barbed fittings, I've doubled up on the hose clamps.

My Viair compressor has a QD at the end of the braided steel encased line. If necessary, I can unplug the OBA system (tank, etc) and plug my air hose directly to the compressor. And, I carry one of the Tsunami (pep boys) compressors as a backup...

Slow leaks are a bitch to find/fix. Using the thread sealer rather than the teflon tape helped immeasurably.

Breathegood
09-11-2009, 05:04 PM
I think I might end up doing what you have done and just put a QD on the pigtail. I was really impressed with the difference the thread sealer made over the teflon tape. I'm going to swap all of my air fittings from tape to sealer. I have a good sized compressor for the garage with an additional line plumbed to my basement shop.

pray4surf
09-11-2009, 06:02 PM
I think I might end up doing what you have done and just put a QD on the pigtail.

Good call. specially because your Viair OBA is not required for Air Locker operation.

VIAIR Corp
09-15-2009, 11:49 AM
Thread sealer is key. We use loctite 545 and we usually wait 8 hours to let it dry.

treehugger
09-15-2009, 09:24 PM
is there a way of just hooking up the air tank using a quick release just like what you plug your hose into, that way you could just detach the fill line from the tank and plug in your hose to inflate straight from the compressor? i've been thinking about trying this myself so that i can temporarily mount my tank in the bed, but then remove it when i need to haul soil or gravel etc. Maybe i'm missing something, but it seems like this should work right?

treehugger
09-15-2009, 11:08 PM
haha, whoops, I just realized that pray4surf just addressed that. guess i should learn to read before posting. my bad.

VIAIR Corp
09-16-2009, 11:11 AM
Air tanks have multiple port fittings. Each fitting can be used for a different application such as: air lockers, air horns, fill tires etc.

If you don't have enough ports just use a T-fitting to increase the # of ports.

A guy in our office runs one line to his air horn valve. It doesn't actuate until he presses his horn.

He runs another line to the rear of his truck where a female quick connect is mounted out of his bumper. A plastic cover fits around the female quick connect to prevent any dirt/rust in the female quick connect. When he wants to fill his tires or run air tools, he just taps into the female quick connect with an extension hose and a tire inflation gun.

Extension hose
http://www.viaircorp.com/OffRoad/Parts/00030.html
Tire inflation gun
http://www.viaircorp.com/OffRoad/Parts/inflationgun.html

pray4surf
09-16-2009, 11:37 AM
A plastic cover fits around the female quick connect to prevent any dirt/rust in the female quick connect.

1" Rubber Leg Tips (http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xgc/R-100138443/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)(available at any Home Improvement store - Home Depot link) make excellent covers for the female QD's

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q312/pray4surfadventures/OBA%20Install/DSCN5289.jpg

You can see the rubber leg tip right next to the QD in the photo above...

VIAIR Corp
09-17-2009, 09:29 AM
That's what i'm talking about. We should make a few of those for our customers with the VIAIR logo. ;)

Breathegood
09-17-2009, 09:37 AM
Awsome! I have a few bucks left on a HD gift card. This looks like a good way to spend it.