Good compressor for air ride?

[bagged81]

I am getting ready to upgrade to a 4-way system in a couple of weeks, hopefully. The only part I lack is another compressor. I have a lil Thomas 315 that I am going to keep for running the back, but I want another one for the front. A buddy of mine recommended the viair 450, which is what I am leaning towards basically cause I am not sure what else there is avaliable. I was looking into converting an a/c compressor to an air compressor, but I am not sure that I want to mess with that right now.

Suggestion?

[ghetocrewzer]

Go with the Viar 450, those a/c compressor setups are high maintenance. The Viar will do you a good job and they run pretty quiet. I've got a 400 but I will probally add a 450 soon.

[bagged81]

Plus, there is just a lot of little things that I would need to do. I just thought that it would be cheap and kind of neat.

What is wrong with the 400?

[ghetocrewzer]

Nothing wrong w/ it, but it's only 33% duty. The 450 is 100%, but doesn't put out as many cfm.

[N2TRUX]

Jeff, If you talk to Tony or any of the guys at Air Ride Technology they will recommend the ViAir 400. Most people on the street will recommend the ViAir 450. The difference is the 450 is 100% duty cycle.
In reality you don't need a 100% duty cycle compressor. Unless you are only running a really small tank, the compressor is going to cycle.

I have to agree with the guys at ART. Save yourself some money, and go with a 400. That's what I have on my 77 Cheyenne with 2 five gallon tanks.

The Viar will do you a good job and they run pretty quiet.

They run quiet compared to what? Maybe a chain saw? Mine is at the back of the truck, and it's still loud...

[bagged81]

So you have 1 400 comp filling both 5 gallon tanks and it does ok? What gets me it that I dont completely understand what the duty cycle means. I am sure that whatever is out there will satisfy me system with the greatest of ease.

I am planning running 2 separate systems with the thomas and a 3 gal tank for the rear, and another comp + 3 gallon tank for the front. So, the new compressor would only be filling a 3 gallon tank. I dont use my bags much either. If I am crusing I am almost all the way down and if I am on the Interstate, I am at a comfortable height so I dont constantly go up and down.

Noise is not an issue either cause I have dual Flowmasters dumping straight down in front of the axle, lol.

[ghetocrewzer]

The Viars seem to be a good bit quieter than the old Firestones and the Aim crap. My buddies is in the back of his truck and its that annoying. I'm mounting mine at the back underneath my Suburban so it shouldn't bother me.

[BaggedC10]

I have two Viar 400 compressors and two 5-gallon tanks---Very happy. The compressors aren't loud at all.....

[N2TRUX]

Yeah, I have a single 400 hooked to two 5 gallon tanks. The system is controlled through a Big Red 4 valve set up. It works fine for me, but I am considering another compressor just for back up.

What's your reason for running the system seperate?

Here's my set up-

[shimp]

I wouldn't run it seperate. More volume will be way better than faster recovery running two small tanks. Just my opinion though.

I'd go with 2 400C's and 2 five gallon tanks.

I currently have a Big Red Jr compressor and a 6 gallon tank with 4 2600 bags it's not near enough, but I am going nitrogen/helium soon so I'm not too worried about the compressor and tank sizes. However if money allows I'm going to get 1 Viair 400C and a new chrome 6 gallon tank (just for backup of course).

Helium is super fast. Nitrogen is great because your pressure is always the same depending on what you set your regulator to. I can go all the way to 450psi on my valves if I had the bags to handle it (Slam Specialties 300psi bags is what I want).

[bagged81]

Originally posted by BaggedC10
I have two Viar 400 compressors and two 5-gallon tanks---Very happy. The compressors aren't loud at all.....

So are both compressors are feeding both tanks simultaneously?

Originally posted by shimp
I wouldn't run it seperate. More volume will be way better than faster recovery running two small tanks. Just my opinion though.

I just thought that it would be simpler to hook up and keep all the lines straight as to where they are going, no technical reason. So, you are saying to have the tanks connected and have them both feeding both manifolds? You dont think that 1 3gal tank for the front and 1 for the back is enough volume? Another thing on the volume, I am using 1/4" line so I am limited on the amount of volume I can move. I also have a 3rd 3gal tank should I choose to use it too.

I am just trying to adapt what I have on the truck currently with what I have bought to upgrade with. In all, I have 3 RidePro manifolds, 3 3gal tanks, 1 Thomas 315 comp, and 3 gazillion ft of 1/4" line and necessary fittings.

I am open to suggestions and I appreciate your input.

[shimp]

1/4" line arghh....

Well, the volume is still important because with a larger tank your pressure will drop much slower as you raise and lower your truck.

i.e. if you hooked your truck up to a 60 gallon 7 hp shop compressor you would see what I mean. Just pump the tank up to 125psi, then turn off the compressor and play with your truck for a while until the tank gets low and watch how much faster it is than with a 6 gallon tank at 150psi.

To use two compressors to fill one tank you should use check valves on each compressor. You should use them anyway even if on a single compressor. Don't know if you've ever taken one apart but the only thing holding back all that air pressure in your tank is the little reed valve (yikes, leaks).

1/4" stuff is gonna be slow unless you are running 400psi of helium, so your obviously not concered with speed. So just do it however you want. But I would still not install the systems seperately. To each his own.

Some people don't like the fast stuff anyway. It's hard to adjust with helium at 250psi while going down the road in your truck. It raises all the way up at the slight tap of a button switch and drops all the way down the same.

You shouldn't have any problems doing it either way, but I think most would agree that more volume is better.

Are you saying that your tank for the front is going to be mounted in the front and your tank for the back is going to be mounted in the back?

[bagged81]

The tanks will be mounted together in the old gas tank location under the bed but plumbed separately. If I were to run separate systems then I would mount the new compressor and 2nd RidePro unit in the front. I think that I will go for the larger volume like you suggest.

Who has good prices on the Viair's? There are several 450's on ebay for $194 buy it now, how is that price?

[blink32]

Originally posted by bagged81
Who has good prices on the Viair's? There are several 450's on ebay for $194 buy it now, how is that price?

$194 is a decent price. But if your going to pay that I say buy it from these guys: http://www.*****************

Site run and owned by mini-truckers. $194.99 for a viair comp:
http://www.*****************/products...compressor.htm

I've ordered a number of items from them, as have many people i know. Good prices fast and good on the phone.

[shimp]

YEah. Don't buy from some dude on Ebay if you can get as good or close to price from Suicide Doors or this place:

http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/compressors.html

Which is higher priced, but has big selection and they didn't give us any problems at all. Just bought a Viar 380 from them.

Godfather is Big on Ebay and I think they are well priced and have good service as well. So it's up to you really.

Beware buying used compressors etc.. of ebay, always ship insured too.

[bagged81]

Yea, Godfather Customs is who has them. I just noticed that they have the 380's for $185 too. It basically 6 one way and half dozen the other.

[BaggedC10]

Originally posted by bagged81
So are both compressors are feeding both tanks simultaneously?

Yep.