Using P38 air tank to inflate tyres

[Keithy P38]

Hey fellas/gals,

I've seen a few threads on how to tap into the on-board air tank for tyre inflation (and limited emergency pneumatic tool use), and decided to give it a go myself the other day! Here's the parts you'll need in Pirtek speak:

LPBV - 2 Way mini ball valve (female to female)
M20 X 1/4" Metric to BSP reducing bush (I exchanged this for a 90 degree of same threads after first install due to space restrictions)
No. 73 3/8" to 1/4" reducing nipple
CUPLA nipple BSP - Male

The Ball valve and nitto fitting (last on the list) are steel, the rest are brass, all use thread tape and please get yourself a new O-ring before installing!

It works the charm now! I deflated all 4 tyres to 15psi (highway terrain) and managed to pump 2 up before the tank was getting low in pressure, so it will certainly be one of those things that either tempts me to get a larger compressor or just be more patient in the bush! Would be handy when putting the spare tyre on and realising that it's got no air!! Same if helping Beemer drivers too!

I also put a little glad bag and big rubber band over it to keep it away from the elements! Just need to keep a few of each in the car when going bush!

Hope this helps someone else!

Cheers
Keithy

[Keithy P38]

I also put a mini Glad bag over it with a large rubber band. Just need to keep some spare in the bush!

May also help when changing to the spare and realising that it's got no damn air!!

Keithy

[PaulP38a]

nice work Keithy - but we always need to see pics or it didn't happen ;)

I run the larger Thomas compressor on my EAS/On-board air kit and find it takes about 30secs (from memory) to inflate the last two tyres.

Cheers, Paul.

[Keithy P38]

Thanks Paul,

And whereabouts could I get my hands on one of these Thomas compressors you speak of?!

I'll recharge the camera batteries and take a snap today!

Cheers
Keithy

[PaulP38a]

And whereabouts could I get my hands on one of these Thomas compressors you speak of?!


I got mine from Rover Renovations. Was about $550 inc shipping.

cheers
Paul.

[Keithy P38]

Does it fit into the standard box housing the OEM compressor at all? If so, might save some denero's and invest in that!

Attached - Pic of new install!

Cheers
Keithy

[wayneg]

I Did the take off from the tank on my Last RR Classic. I ran a hose under the car and put the outlet female Nitto Connector inside the fuel filler flap. No need to get on your knees when connecting an inflation hose.

[PaulP38a]

Does it fit into the standard box housing the OEM compressor at all? If so, might save some denero's and invest in that!

Attached - Pic of new install!

Cheers
Keithy

pic of Thomas compressor and onboard air below. It fits in the EAS box ok but I cut a hole in the lid for the top of the compressor to poke up through.
http://paulp38a.com/gallery/d/4102-1/IMG_2231.JPG

[Hoges]

search Range Rovers (http://www.rangerovers.net) on this also. One enterprising P38 enthusiast discovered he could store the coiled air hose comfortably between the chassis and the body. due to its 'expanded' form when coiled it wedged there quite firmly... ;)

[Keithy P38]

Yes, I noticed that one! It's smart thinking, but I wonder how it'd go after a day of corrugations! I think its a safer bet to store 5-10m of hose in a pretty little box in the back of the car!

As for the Thomas compressor, I like the look/sound of it! Is there any more info I can get on it? I'd be interested to know just how much better it is than the standard unit! If its only marginal then I couldnt justify the cost! It does look bigger though!

Cheers
Keithy

[PaulP38a]

As for the Thomas compressor, I like the look/sound of it! Is there any more info I can get on it? I'd be interested to know just how much better it is than the standard unit! If its only marginal then I couldnt justify the cost! It does look bigger though!

more info at Rover Renovations Air Compressor, After Market, ANR3731 (http://www.rover-renovations.com/Range-Rover-Air-Compressor-Aftermarket-p/anr3731-a.htm)

Honestly, I wouldn't replace your standard compressor unless it is truly R/S. The Thomas does inflate quicker than the standard unit, and it does take a bit of fiddling to make it fit, plus you will need to make a cut-out in the lid of your EAS box ...and it is noisy. Fine by me though, I only notice it when idling and the "low resistance" dual exhaust system drowns it out completely when moving :D

Cheers, Paul.

[Keithy P38]

Love the terminology there!

Awesome!

[davidsonsm]

Keith, where did you manage to get an m20 x 1/4" bsp reducing Bush? Assume the m20 is parallel thread. How does it seal? Cheers.

[Keithy P38]

Pirtek had all of the fittings needed.

I originally wrote this thread when I had my green P38, many years ago! I have since run a similar setup with a t-piece, and twin 10mm air line (one to the engine bay with a nitto fitting, the other into the luggage area to just above the emergency fuel release flap, also with a nitto fitting). Both nitto fittings are female, just like any workshop fittings. It seals perfectly.

I also have a second EAS compressor running in parallel with the main one, fills the tank quite quickly! Will inflate all 4 tyres in only a minute or two as well!

Cheers
Keithy

[davidsonsm]

Been thinking about my set up. Considering an uprated eas compressor. Running one in parallel I guess it's best done through a relay. Now. Where to put it. Sounds insulation will be key. Cheers Keith.

[Hoges]

airsupply (http://www.rangerovers.net/outfitting/air/airsupply.html) and

arbair (http://www.rangerovers.net/outfitting/air/arbair.html) and

Cross Linking the Air Suspension (http://www.rangerovers.net/rrupgrades/suspension/crosslink.html)

My recollection of Hardy Neale's P38 which later found haven in Paul P38a's garage;) is that he also had a heavy duty air supply in the spare wheel well.

cheers

[Keithy P38]

Yeah I trigger the second compressor off the main compressor using a relay and I've mounted #2 compressor right next to the main one in the engine bay. There are pics on FB and I may have also started a thread here about it.

The second one feeds through the air dryer as well.

My next step would be to run a second dryer and independent air line all the way to the tank. Would have done it from the start if I'd thought of it at the time.

Cheers
Keithy

[mtb_gary]

Yeah I trigger the second compressor off the main compressor using a relay and I've mounted #2 compressor right next to the main one in the engine bay. There are pics on FB and I may have also started a thread here about it.

The second one feeds through the air dryer as well.

My next step would be to run a second dryer and independent air line all the way to the tank. Would have done it from the start if I'd thought of it at the time.

Cheers
Keithy

Do you have a link to the pics? I've had a quick search but couldn't find them. I do have a spare valve block assembly complete with pump that after reading your post feel could be getting the pump removed in the near future, I've also got a spare drier at the ready.

Gary

[Keithy P38]

I will find it when home. Currently in NZ on hotel wifi so trying to take it easy on the data!

[TheTree]

HI

I am thinking the ViAIR 400C would make a good addition to the system

Steve

[davidsonsm]

The ViAir 400 or 380 (100% duty versions) was pretty much where I'd ended up - as the comps of choice to replace the weedy pidgeon OEM one.

I'll have to get their dimmensions and have a measure up. They're available for $235 from Airide.

The difficult part will be insulating them against excessive noise, given that new brackets will have to be made. You can buy a ViAir mounting bracket, but I reckon it'd be too big to fit inside the EAS box.

[davidsonsm]

I have a spare oem compressor. Thinking that I could use this to good effect by wiring and plumbing in parallel to the current one. Anybody know the size of the tube from the compressor to the valve block and what fittings are suitable - a tee piece would be required.

This is one option. I could probably sell both oem compressors however, to cover the cost of a viair, and the viair would still outperform the oem's.

There's not a lot of room in the eas box though is there. The viair 400c will be a real squeeze.

[Keithy P38]

From memory it's 8mm line out of the compressor to the dryer.

I used a T-piece with push fittings.

As I said above, it does much better with two OEM compressors rather than one, but if I were to start it again I'd run a separate line and dryer for the second compressor as I feel they may be fighting each other in a single 8mm line.

Cheers
Keithy

[TheTree]

Hi

My idea for the Viair was to mount it on the drivers side and plumb it in from there. I reckon an 8mm line should be fine, I am sure it's not trying to push 4 or 5 CFM down there :p

Steve

[davidsonsm]

Where is there room on the drivers side? There's not too much room there either. Over the abs pump? Guess you have to fab a bracket on stilts?

[benji]

I was looking at it this arvo. A pita.

I want to keep the air lines nice and close, but below the maf and infront of the air filter is a very tight squeeze.

There's very little room (and it's a wet place) behind the front 1/4 panel too.

Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

[Keithy P38]

Mine is high and dry above the lh air spring, directly opposite and running parallel with the factory one. Except it sits at 180 degrees to the original (purely so the air line could be short and sweet without doing laps of the engine bay).

[TheTree]

Where is there room on the drivers side? There's not too much room there either. Over the abs pump? Guess you have to fab a bracket on stilts?

Hi

I have my eye on the shock absorber turret, my LPG evaporator is on the passenger side turret.

It will be necessary to fabricate a bracket, but i am pretty sure there will be enough space there.

Regards
Steve

[benji]

I was looking at that spot after I posted, you haven't had sny heat related trouble in that spot?

Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

[Keithy P38]

Nope! It doesn't run often enough to get hot!

[TheTree]

Hi

From what I understand, these things are designed for tough environments, so I don't think the under bonnet heat will be an issue

Steve

[ringo]

Is there a special reason you don't want to just buy a decent battery powered portable air compressor to inflate your tires? They are much cheaper, practically disposable compared to the cost of a EAS compressor and easier to use considering all the mods and such you are working your way into. They are small enough to fit in with the spare. I use one to refill my tires after they've been deflated for a romp on the beach and it works well for me.

[TheTree]

Hi Ringo,

I have a separate portable compressor for my tyres as well, but I like this idea for two reasons;

First; if one compressor goes down, the beast keeps running

Second; you can have a very useful air supply connection under your bonnet :p

Regards
Steve

[Keithy P38]

Bingo.

I did it for the exact same reasons.

A spare portable compressor comes with me for trips where I know ill be up and down a fair bit in tyre pressure. The convenient thing about twins filling the EAS is;

- Quicker tank fill time (less compressor run time)
- Quick and easy tyre inflation (get out the hose and you are done)
- Backup in case one says goodbye
- Can run short duration air tools from it (think about changing a tyre in the middle of summer out bush with a rattle gun - much more pleasant)
- Can fill up the tank via other/servo air with the schrader/nitto fitting
- It just speaks bulk air awesomeness when you open the bonnet (beer and mate bonding sessions).
- Can have mum pumping up the front tyres while dad does the rear (his/hers wedding ideas??)

I think you catch my drift!

Cheers
Keithy

[davidsonsm]

Anybody put a larger or 2nd receiver in? That would be a worthwhile upgrade.

[davidsonsm]

Added a second air tank today alongside the original. Not plumbed it in yet. Will probably wait until I have an extra compressor before plumbing.

[davidsonsm]

More pictures:

7824678246

[Keithy P38]

Bulk air! I like it!

Looks a bit bigger, say 15L?

[davidsonsm]

It's an original, shown some TLC. Guess it's just the perspective.

I added a piece of angle to the two bolts that hold the fuel tank guard in place. That allows the screwed rod to support the outer rear corner.

The tank straps are st stl and pick up some brackets on the new tank. I added some cups to the new tank, rubber lined, to sit against the original tank.

Had to get a 1/2" male NPT, to 1/4" female BSP socket, plus a 1/4" BSP male to female elbow. Then the 1/4" male BSP to 6mm push fit socket.

I'll tee in to the 6mm hose.

Question. Has anybody used brass compression fittings instead of the pushfits. Reckon they'd be more reliable. Will the 1/4" fit or must they be 6mm?

[Keithy P38]

I have used compression fittings, don't recommend. They leak!

Push fittings are simple and easy to repair/diagnose.

[p38arover]

Added a second air tank today alongside the original. Not plumbed it in yet. Will probably wait until I have an extra compressor before plumbing.

When are you doing mine?

[superquag]

You could always use an out-of-date CO-2 fire extinguisher.
Remove the business end, and use adapters etc to fill the hole. Only drawback is the lack of drain bung. Advantage is co$t, and ruggedness of the tank, as they're designed (AFAIK) for much higher pressures.

[davidsonsm]

Looked at Scuba tank option, but the OEM one just fitted so well in the space available. Couldn't actually find a Scuba tank that was cheap. The 2nd OEM tank was around $30 from the breakers. Not too bad.

Didn't think about fire extinguisher option. Good idea though.

[p38arover]

At $30, I'd go OEM.

[TheTree]

Damn, another thing to add to the list of enhancements :p

Steve

[Hammer H]

Ok so thought I'd fit the attached yesterday but ended up being a fail.

When I pumped the tank back up I had all 3 threads leak, I tightened the buggery out of it but the elbow thread leaked where it goes into the larger Nut? That goes into the tank. It's a taper thread so I didn't use any thread tape or was that my error?

Paul

[Keithy P38]

Yeah chuck some thread tape on mate, definitely on all the threads for air stuff

[TheTree]

I tend to use PermaTex thread sealant for this job