crockettbrat Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Hey there: Has anyone here modified the a/c compressor to compress air? I've found some good stuff on line, and think I might go for it during the ej swap. Just looking to see if someone here has already done it. My brat has a/c and the ej22 donor has a compressor too. Instead of having a/c I thought it would be slick to have compressed air for tires and tools, ect. There seems to be plenty of room for a tank behind the seats in the bed, or maybe even under the bed. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 The AC compressor uses the oil in the refrigerant as a lubricant, so you would wipe it out. Some compressor have oil in a crancase, but they still use the refrigerant to help lubricate the moving parts. What do you want to do with a compressor? nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crockettbrat Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 The AC compressor uses the oil in the refrigerant as a lubricant, so you would wipe it out. Some compressor have oil in a crancase, but they still use the refrigerant to help lubricate the moving parts. What do you want to do with a compressor? nipper Air up tires after being on trail, run air tools. An inline oiler would have to be installed to the air inlet side and a filter to capture oil on the outlet side would be installed to keep oil out of your tank, tires, ect. The oil captured in the outlet filter can be then piped back to the inline oiler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 A while ago someone else wanted to do the same thing, and it was just easier to install a regular air compressor. Even if you could use the OE AC compressor, you still need an air tank. Also a subaru AC compressor may not move alot of CFMs Now if you use an older york style compressor http://coloradok5.com/york.shtml i just dont know if it will fit under the hood. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 how much do you plan on using it. alot or emergencies? for emergency use i'd just have an extra tank to throw in the back whenever you go wheeling. fill the tank at home with your compressor and take it with you. then it's not always there and you have to worry about mounting, lines and the a/c deal. you can get a power inverter. check loads and demand and this might be all you need for emergencies. or install another alternator and maybe you can roll your home compressor right in the vehicle with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Talk to Jerry (bratsrus1). He has a air system using an EA81 AC compressor in his lifted hatch. Works great. He used a semi tractor air tank, and it's got a pressure guage on the dash. I've seen it in action - pretty cool. This is a common mod for on-board air systems actually. The oil for the compressor largely stays IN the compressor (unless you roll the vehicle) and you can add a bit now and then just like with any air-tool as the ports are on top of the compressor. If all you want is to air up a tire, a lot of folks in the off-road community just carry two spares inflated to 70 psi, and a hose fitted with two locking shrader adaptors. This way you can repair a punctured tire then hookup one of the 70 psi spares to it and you will have two 35 psi inflated tires as the pressure will equalize between the two. Most quality tires have no issue with being inflated to this level - they are over engineered anyway, and remember that a 35 psi inflated tire will have quite a bit of expansion anyway as the road heats up the tire and air inside. A cool tire with 70 psi isn't much of a problem. SOA ran 60 psi in the little Justy LSR bonneville racer to reduce it's rolling resistance - those were 12" tires running at 120 MPH ! GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 i like the 70psi spare tire idea..... nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crockettbrat Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 Great ideas everyone. I think the real deal is that I'm having a blast playing with this brat, and my work schedule is allowing me time to goof off, so I keep creating projects that I "need" to do. This onboard air project is one of these things. I'm also the guy in my group of friends who gets the call when someones vehicle is in need of assistance. Having the ability to bring air tools along and not a compressor would be fantastic, so I think I'd use it often. I'll post as I move forward on this. thanks USMB:clap: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Great ideas everyone. I think the real deal is that I'm having a blast playing with this brat, and my work schedule is allowing me time to goof off, so I keep creating projects that I "need" to do. This onboard air project is one of these things. I'm also the guy in my group of friends who gets the call when someones vehicle is in need of assistance. Having the ability to bring air tools along and not a compressor would be fantastic, so I think I'd use it often. I'll post as I move forward on this. thanks USMB:clap: keep us updated as Im planning on doing this on my EA82 wagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baccaruda Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 get a stock air compressor from a GL10 that had air struts, or same from a Cadillac or Lincoln or somesuch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 The CFM is too low for air suspension on a car. The airlines were really small, so he could never run an airtool enough to make it worth while. another link http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/OnBoardAir.shtml google on board air compressor, you will get more ideas. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratsrus1 Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 Hi This is Jerry, come to the show and you see my on board air system that i have on my hatchbrat. I have it set at 125 psi works really good, the air horn works really good also honk honk. Thanks Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crockettbrat Posted June 21, 2007 Author Share Posted June 21, 2007 Hi This is Jerry, come to the show and you see my on board air system that i have on my hatchbrat. I have it set at 125 psi works really good, the air horn works really good also honk honk. Thanks Jerry Hey Jerry: I wish I could make it this year. Maybe next year. I didn't know I was going to be a subaru owner until a few months ago and didn't find the USMB until after that. My summer vacation time was already planned. I'm having a blast with my brat and will pm you when I get moving on my ej swap for one of your kits for the 5sp d/r install. I'd love to see pics of your ride and onboard air, or maybe I'll see it next year. Thanks. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodsWagon Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 A while ago someone else wanted to do the same thing, and it was just easier to install a regular air compressor. Even if you could use the OE AC compressor, you still need an air tank. Also a subaru AC compressor may not move alot of CFMs Now if you use an older york style compressor http://coloradok5.com/york.shtml i just dont know if it will fit under the hood. nipper I saw one of those under the hood of a 74 subie wagon, being used as an aftermarket AC system. Those compressors are BIG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi subbie Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 there was this big green toyota at my old course that was fitted with an electric compresser for running stuff off it like airtools and stuff. it was cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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