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Whats the deal with modding a aircon to be a air compressor?
Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:13 pm
by kernels
Hi guys, my 2L V6 Vitara does not have a aircon system, but I can probably get hold of a decent secondhand compressor for not too much. I was looking at getting a 12V compressor, but one running from my engine seems like a good way to do it since it will have hardly any loading when not used, it's bolted to a convenient location and presumably it will have a high output compared to the 12V ones which are only a few hundred Watt for the cheaper ones.
Has anybody done this ? Does the compressor itself need any modifications apart from fitting a filter to the inlet and the relevant hoses and connectors to the outlet ?
Thanks
Hein B
Re: Whats the deal with modding a aircon to be a air compressor?
Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:23 pm
by Sadam_Husain
nup other than a pressure switch to keep the system at 105 psi thats it
Re: Whats the deal with modding a aircon to be a air compressor?
Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 5:27 pm
by Heath
Search air con pumps and sanden as a key word.
Heres a link to get you started but there are heaps more with detailed drawings etc.
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... ndless+air
Re: Whats the deal with modding a aircon to be a air compressor?
Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 5:47 pm
by mudtroll
Just done this on my safari. Used the rear bar as a tank, took the
inlet from engine air filter, put a one way valve in to stop pressure going back into pump, a pressure switch which I got off TM to turn pump on/off & a pressue release valve for safety. I put a grease nipple on the pump for lube instead of oil. Pumps tyres faster than the gas station.
Re: Whats the deal with modding a aircon to be a air compressor?
Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:05 pm
by Ben
On board air is pretty nice. I have it on my zuk, but I used a Sanden compressor.
The stock Suzuki pump is a vane pump and will probably sh*t itself pretty quickly unless you install oilers and de-oilers and all that junk.
The sanden pump has an internal sump which you can fill with grease to keep it lubricated. They are widely regarded as the best type of compressor for on-board air. 8cfm @100psi from memory.
As Heath says, search for Sanden on here and you should find some old posts with a lot of info.
Ben
Re: Whats the deal with modding a aircon to be a air compressor?
Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 11:49 pm
by kernels
Awesome, thanks for all the information guys. Really appreciate it.
Re: Whats the deal with modding a aircon to be a air compressor?
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:30 am
by Terry
I've still got a few relief valves (75 - 150 psi) left from a bulk buy I did - here's the TM listing:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=313770298but I'd let them go for $10 each on here if anyone wants one...
I've got an old 2.5kg extinguisher for a tank, and als a liferaft cylinder (bit bigger than a small welding bottle) - but that's probably a bit overkill for a samurai
I didn't know the 'zuk compressors a vane one - shame as the brackets belts and everything are there (Vitara transplant). Might look at trying a Sanden instead - I've got the one I was going to put on the patrol (too many projects, not enough cash. or time)...