Viair constant duty onboard air system any my eventual solution

[SOCOMech]

Thanks J!!!!!!!

 

[BigJ]

Just a quick update. I was crawling around under the truck this weekend, checking stuff out and noticed that the filter element and upper housing were gone (the part the snaps in and holds the filter in place! This bit:



How long has it been missing? At least a couple thousand miles, including some time when I used it. Yay.

Fortunately, the compressor port is threaded (1/4" pipe I think) so a standard fitting should would. I'm going to dump the plastic base and take Tim's advice by routing a line from the compressor to my engine air box, pop a little hole after the filter and draw air from there. Probably should have done so in the first place. I'll take a pic or two when done.

Keep an eye on yours...

 

[BigJ]

Just completed a quick 20 minute "remote filter" install. What do ya think?


















I used 1/2" air brake line into a 90deg 1/2" bulkhead fitting in the airbox, and a 1/4" to 1/2" fitting at the compressor. The trickiest part was figuring the routing, keeping it away from heat, from chaffing corners and making sure the line stayed kink free; air brake line isn't the most pliable stuff in the world.

 

[MarkT]

what about mounting the viair filter (or a small K&N) remotely inside the lower half of the stock airbox?

Other than that... excellent job of routing and installing!!! :thumbsup:

 

[BigJ]

That's probably a better idea Mark. The concern with I have with this approach is what if the air brake hose develops a leak? Or rips out entirely somehow? Now I've just provided a source of unfiltered air that will feed directly into the engine!

I might redo this at some point in the future by adding a K&N like you suggest. I'm hoping I don't have to and that the air brake line will be as tough as I expect it to be. I'll certainly be keeping an eye on this...

 

[MarkT]

That's probably a better idea Mark. The concern with I have with this approach is what if the air brake hose develops a leak? Or rips out entirely somehow? Now I've just provided a source of unfiltered air that will feed directly into the engine!

I might redo this at some point in the future by adding a K&N like you suggest. I'm hoping I don't have to and that the air brake line will be as tough as I expect it to be. I'll certainly be keeping an eye on this...

Good points. But remember to install it below the stock air filter so if the K&N falls off it doesn't get sucked into the engine.

(If the stock air box lid is made of ABS, the hole can be "welded" shut with a scrap of ABS, a soldering iron, and maybe a little ABS cement to finish it off... don't ask me how I know! )

 

[BigJ]

Good points. But remember to install it below the stock air filter so if the K&N falls off it doesn't get sucked into the engine.

(If the stock air box lid is made of ABS, the hole can be "welded" shut with a scrap of ABS, a soldering iron, and maybe a little ABS cement to finish it off... don't ask me how I know! )

Hah right there with ya my friend.

Anyone considering this should give Mark's idea a first look. I'm not concerned enough to make any changes (we use this tubing in far more stressful situations than my install, and it handles it with no trouble for many many years), but if/when that day comes, I'll be looking into going under the filter. Just seems more safe, all things considering.

And in the mean time I'll look for low pressure check valves. Might get the same job done without relocating.

 

[BigJ]

Another update: *something* happened and the supplied check valve blew out. I have no idea what happened; I've only used the system as designed and intended a handful of times. Maybe the lack of filter resulted in sucking up a rock that got jammed in there? I dunno...

I think I really blew it having Four Wheel Parts install this system. Once I got in there to start replacing the check valve, I found that the braided hose from the compressor to the tank was stretched WAY to tightly across the frame rail. All the strain was on the hose where to meets the ferrule, to the point where it looked like the braids would start pulling out of the ferrule eventually.

I solved this by (not only replacing the check valve) but by simply adding a 90degree elbow out of the compressor. Now the hose has plenty of slack and comfortable radii where the hose meets the ferrule.

*NOTE: Don't do what I did and remove the braided line from the compressor. You will void the Viair warranty to the best of my knowledge. Find some place to mount the stuff so its got enough room in the first place.

 

[CineSLR]

Anyone have any experience with Warn compressors? They put up some serious numbers, have a small tank built in with cooling fan and are ready to roll with pressure switch etc.

Part Number: 76800
Power: 12V DC motor
Maximum Pressure Rating: 100 PSI (690 kPA)
Airflow Rating: 12 CFM @ 0 PSI; 4 CFM @ 90 PSI; (283 l/min @ 0 kPA; 113 l/min @ 620 kPA)
Intercooler/Air Reservoir Size: 1/3 gallon (1,3 liter)
Weight: 40 lbs

 

[BigJ]

Welp thought I would update this with some bad news. My compressor crapped out for no good reason. I went to use it yesterday, and nothing. Checked the fuse and it had popped. Replaced the fuse, tried again and immediately the new fuse blew. Chased the wiring out and determined I've got 12v at the pump, but the pump no workie. I mean like it doesn't even try.

I called Viair and they're willing to take a look at it. However I'm not holding my breath; the hose leading from the pump to the tank has a sticker on the pump side that says "Warranty void if removed". Of course my install required removal of that hose so...

I'll keep this updated. But after this experience I'm seriously thinking of ditching the pump route and going the CO2 route.