Installing an On Board Air Compressor

Off-Road Racing

Jul. 01, 2002 By Allan M

Hummer Tech

For a few bucks extra, slap an in-line air filter into the mix.

On Board Air Compressor
Well my Hummer does not have the CTIS (Central Tires Inflation System) installed and is too costly to add it for me (about $6,000 are the quotes I got), so I installed the next best thing, an on-board air compressor. In the same location that the air compressor is installed on the Hummer with the CTIS, I have installed mine and is of the same type. On both sides of the Hummer I have a quick dis-connect for the air hose, one being on the compressor, and the other I installed on the of the battery compartment that is just under the right passenger side seat.

Here's where we mounted the quick disconnect. Ease is the name of the game when you've got to hook up the air hose during a quick trail fix.

Above is the air compressor and as you can see I "T" off at the output side of the compressor for the air on the right side. And the intake side goes to the engine air intake canister to get it air. Also installed is an extra inline air filter.
Bad news, I had blown the hose right at the pump, the air coming out of the pump was too hot for the PVC hose that I was using (Some white stuff I got from the local hardware store that was for wcold water use). What caused it to get hot was it was pumping at about 150 PSI. Later, replaced the hose with some good black DOT approved brake line hose and added a safety pressure limit switch that shut down the compressor at 50 PSI. This was still not perfect, as the pressure got to 50 PSI, the pump would turn off and on with in seconds as the pressure only just dropped below 50 PSI. Later I made changes to fix that problem.

Click the wiring diagram for a larger image. It may be of some use to you. Enjoy!

Here we see the left side air supply's quick disconnect on the drivers side, just inside the passenger door is the right side air supply's quick disconnect. Both quick dis-connects are the Milton type connectors used on just about all garages air line equipment. I later installed an air tank as a reserve/storage tank, a pressure limit switch (if left turned on will regulate the pressure between 40-48 PSI), and an air gauge (inside so I can watch the pressure as I am filling my tires and turn off at the right pressure). This system will not be enough for air tools, like an air ratchet or impacts. But if forgotton about it while pumping your tires, you will not blow one either.

The pump manufacture is Thomas Industries, Pneumotive Division, Monroe, LA 71203. Model TA-3051-DCX, Part # 980278. This was from a CTIS system of a Hummer, and was bought used, owner wanted a higher volume pump and for $50 I was in the market. This pump is a single piston pump, and they now have a higher rated pump out for higher volume. The pump is rated @ 1/4 HP, 1800 RPM, 12 VDC 22 amps, @ 50 PSI, cont. duty. @ 150 PSI, it will pull 27.5 amps.

Supplier: W.W. Grainger

Reproduced with the permission of By Allan M.


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