On board air

Hay Dude · Apr 3, 2020

I have been trying to solve the problem of "shop strength" on board truck air for a while now.
Previously, I would take one of my Honda powered nail gun compressors on the back of the truck (typical farmers flatbed F-350/550/etc). I didnt like that because of having to climb up on bed in between tool boxes, wiggle it out, pull start, etc. Hose was always a mess. It got real old after a few years and it beat up the wheelbarrow compressor.
Then tried a small electric portable type. It was worthless for big tires and I have some big tires.
Long ago I had an ARB under hood compressor that was nice quality,, but still took a while to inflate anything big.
Looking for something in between. I like the Rol Air GD4000 Rolair GD4000PV5H 118cc 4.5-Gallon Contractor Pancake Gas Powered Air Compressor w/ Honda Engine

However, it's $800+ shipped. I could swing that, but it requires a supply of gas and a pull start-would probably confine it in a boxy toolbox.
Has anyone else found a better or cheaper way? Have a new diesel truck coming and wondered if having dual batteries and dual alternators (440 amp) would there be a way to wire a reasonably powerful electric air compressor into the truck?
Another important constraint is I dont want compressor out in the elements anymore. My truck is coming with a flatbed with (2) 30"x 16"x16" tool boxes under bed and (2) 48"x16"x16" on top of the bed. So the Rol Air may NOT quite fit (it's 16" high and 16" deep).
Looked at some other systems that were very expensive.
Any thoughts or do any of you have any source of powerful air?
Would prefer electric on board air with a concealed system to keep it out of rain.

Peter 315 · Apr 3, 2020

Here you go pto powered off the truck....What Is A PTO Driven Air Compressor? | VMAC

herm0016 · Apr 3, 2020

a lot of overland travel people like the Puma 12v stuff. you could get 2 of 3/4 hp models for less then $500.

the vair 480c is also a high quality unit.

you wont be running a sander or impact for long, but it will do anything you can do with a pancake compressor. the rolair will obv. put out a lot more cfm, but its also going to be very difficult to match that with anything integrated with the truck.

some also go with a belt drivin solution. get a pump and mount it to the engine, then install a tank and pressure switch mated to the pulley clutch. you can actually use some of the old A/C compressors for this, and they produce quite a bit of air.

Hay Dude · Apr 3, 2020

Peter 315 said:
Here you go pto powered off the truck....What Is A PTO Driven Air Compressor? | VMAC

LOVE IT! But whats the cost? Probably 5 grand:shocked:

Hay Dude · Apr 3, 2020

I could commit one of the tool boxes for a compressor & tank. That would also make it nicely sheltered, yet accessible. Was thinking of mounting one of the retractable hose reels for hose next to tool box.

Most common air uses will be blowing out large clogged radiators and inflating tires.

Peter 315 · Apr 3, 2020

Hay Dude said:
LOVE IT! But whats the cost? Probably 5 grand:shocked:

More like 7k all said and done......

Hay Dude · Apr 3, 2020

Peter 315 said:
More like 7k all said and done......

:shocked::confused2::laughing:

jaxs · Apr 3, 2020

herm0016 said:
some also go with a belt drivin solution. get a pump and mount it to the engine, then install a tank and pressure switch mated to the pulley clutch. you can actually use some of the old A/C compressors for this, and they produce quite a bit of air.

Now there's a man that use's his head for things other than to store a hat and hold his ears apart. Ford and Chrysler compressors with flat head is what you are looking for. Already has electric clutch that can be hooked to pressure switch. If you can work out the drive and clutch,a little 2-3 horse engine works pretty good but not capiable of as high pressure as ac compressor. Output come's from spark plug hole. I'll probably be slammed for suggesting a water heater tank but I'm prepared to support the idea with facts.

jaxs · Apr 3, 2020

Hay Dude said:
Most common air uses will be blowing out large clogged radiators and inflating tires.

Might consider useing water from a pump similar to rv water pump. It pull's far less amps than air compressor and easier on the lungs and eyes than air.