Perentie Engine Driven Air Compressor

[BadCo.]

After I saw a thread about a month ago discussing on board air compressors and how the Perenties were originally supplied with one, I get a wee bit excited.

After asking a few questions it turns out there were a few issues with them, being:

-The over speed throw out used to stay engaged, die to lack of servicing and then the rings would melt.
-Marginally better than a 12v dc compressor of similar displacement.
-Leak air at each end of the block between the cylinders
(feel free to add more issues if you know of any)

After finding the original manufacturers website and seeing the compressor on there I decided to email them and ask a few questions, below is there response.

Dear Steven

Your right the original gold bracketed units supplied by AP were rubbish and yes the bins filled quickly.

Long story short we redesigned the whole unit and supplied the second build with a completely different unit that did work. These brackets were a dark green.

A few points
1) the throw out was never intended as a cut out but misunderstood by army. You were supposed to stop the engine and trip the lever (the later models had a push button)

2) The engine driven unit was measured at about 20 times faster then the electric unit

3) I never heard of the head leaking

4) Almost all of the original army supplied gear was rubbish

I then asked if he would be willing to sell these to the public.

Steve

I didn't tell the whole story. I was about to reply when you replied

We bought the business in 98 and then redesigned the whole kit. With 98 bits in the kit and 90% failure rate we had a task ahead of us.

The web site will shortly be set up to buy direct and yes we can sell NATO certified stuff to the public.

Now I was getting excited and firing more questions at him.

Steven

There are two engine mount kits, 1) for the bigger units with the 24 volt generator and 2) the snug wrap around the alternator type for the smaller units. Both take an electric clutch (but the army never used this). Frankly I think the electric clutch is a far more sensible option. The bracket was designed for it but since the army didn't use that option the carrier hub was never built.

Its designed to go straight onto the block but the alternator has to come off to be put back on so everything ends up in the same spot.

Frankly I didn't expect there to be an after army market. We only put in on the web site to show what's possible when you drive things directly off the engine and to promote our engine driven PTO. I never in a million years expected a second production run.

Happy for you to mention us on the rover forum.

We are working on another design that will allow air brakes on your Perentie.

The business we bought didn’t get involved in the PTO powered winch but I would be happy to look at it. I did hear some funny stories about its power however. In one case it managed to pull a Perentie clean in half. I would be keen to know what they sell for. It’s possible we could go into production if the demand was there. We would however need to eyeball a complete unit to run a tap over it with the view to production.

And more.

Steven

Our (everyone's) units component costs are based on the quantity volume built. For example when we built our first PTO (which will sell for around $400 when it will cost us about $280 to build) actually cost us $2,200 to build just one. So RRP is costs + margin= RRP. So the higher the volume the lower the price. Having said that in our case we have a stack of ex army parts left over so we could build (probably ) about 20 kits before we start running out of parts and with about 50 sub contract suppliers to source from its not easy.

So then, who would be keen for a engine mounted, belt driven, air compressor?

Are there any questions I might have missed, that should be asked?


BadCo.

[Judo]

Subscribing to hear more...

There will also be people like me with a turbo'd 110 County or turbo'd Perentie. Space could be an issue. I also have an air con compressor below the alternator, so I guess I won't be able to fit such a kit...?

[isuzurover]

I have a sanden 508 as my air compressor which cost ~$0 and probably has a higher air flow than these things...

[BadCo.]

Subscribing to hear more...

There will also be people like me with a turbo'd 110 County or turbo'd Perentie. Space could be an issue. I also have an air con compressor below the alternator, so I guess I won't be able to fit such a kit...?

I believe the 6x6s had these compressors also, but yes I think the AC will foul the compressor. I'll ask about it.

[weeds]

Umm interesting.......I never spotted the improved version on an Perentie that was inservice.......doesn't mean there wasn't any as there are a lot of unit in the defence force, could have been a special fitment.

20 times faster is a big call based on the original design.

Will watch with interest.

Have you got a link to their website??

[BadCo.]

Compressors

[BadCo.]

I have a sanden 508 as my air compressor which cost ~$0 and probably has a higher air flow than these things...

Yes, well it's not original equipment for the rivet counters.

[rar110]

A min 3500 perenties out there don't have an aircon compressor to crowd things.

[jackz]

Seriously interested in this thread

[BadCo.]

Ok digging this back up to give the guy some numbers.

So only three people on AULRO are keen?