[wptb id="820" not found ]

The Air compressor is an integral part of the air brake system of the long haul truck. It is used to recharge the brake system after every stop. The Air compressor provides the required pressure to make the braked wheels effective. A properly designed and well maintained on-board air compressor can ensure trouble-free, safe braking performance on all road conditions for a longer service life of both the vehicle and its components.

An onboard air compressor is used to power various auxiliary equipment on the vehicle including the service brakes by providing pressurized air. While traveling from one place to another truck drivers have to stop at intervals. This stopping and starting sequence further continues while going from one city to another city, which ultimately leads to brake system failure if not properly maintained. To avoid this problem, Onboard Air Compressor In Truck was introduced by Robert Bosch GmbH under Mannesmann brand name – Powerplus.

The Onboard Air Compressor Unit is used for recharging the brake system after every stop. The Air compressor provides the required pressure to make braked wheels effective. Properly designed and well maintained On-board air compressor can ensure trouble-free safe braking performance on all road conditions for the longer service life of both vehicles, as well as its components.

Top 5 Onboard Air Compressors for Truck

Full Metal FabWorks Adventure Air Compressor

Full Metal FabWorks Adventure Air Compressor

This low weight, high-tech Full Metal FabWorks Adventure Air Compressor has everything you need for trail plug/repair even when carrying a spare. Looking for a small space compressor for your Polaris RZR XP 1000? Look no further! This adventure air compressor is lightweight and powerful with solid features like all stainless steel hardware. Whether you’re out on the road or out on the trails, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that this 4-gallon capacity bicycle tire chuck pump will be by your side. With a precision digital gauge that displays in both psi and bar pressure units, it’s accurate to 1% of reading accuracy at any pressure up to 200 psi/14 bar, this pump is easy to handle inflated tires with ease!

PROs
  • Digital pressure gauge that is accurate to 1% of reading.
  • It has a 4-gallon capacity bicycle tire chuck pump.
  • It can inflate tires up to 35 psi / 2 bar on your RZR XP 1000.
CONs
  • It’s a bit on the expensive side but it can be justified when considering its high quality.
Vixen Air Compressor VXO4852GCF Suspension Kit

Vixen Air Compressor VXO4852GCF Suspension Kit

When it comes to getting the right vehicle suspension kit for your truck, you need a quality product that is sure to make every ride more comfortable. That’s why we are excited to introduce our Vixen Air Compressor with Rugged Wheels Suspension Kit. This kit includes an 18-liter capacity cylinder, 12v 200psi compressor with remote filter, anti-corrosion coating, and many other impressive features.

This kit sits seven inches off the ground in standard height wheels for all-around stability in any conditions. The Rugged Wheels will also stand up against cross bars unscathed so no matter how tight your cornering skills are this kit is perfect for you. Come experience the air technology of today at Vixen Automotive.

PROs
  • It has a built-in compressor to inflate tires and other items.
  • It’s made of heavy-duty material that is sure to last a lifetime.
CONs
  • The installation may take a little longer than expected.
HPDAVV Gas Driven Piston Air Compressor

HPDAVV Gas Driven Piston Air Compressor

Heavy construction sites can be difficult to get to without a car. You have to carry your tools from the street upstairs, over ledges, and around other obstacles that make it a struggle for a single person. That’s why wheelbarrows are an essential tool on any job site. But if you’ve ever had to haul one of them up 25 flights of stairs, you know they’re not always easy or safe. This is where this gas-powered wheelbarrow air compressor comes in handy! It’s designed with a cast iron frame for maximum durability and has wheels that roll easily over dirt and gravel by making minimum contact with the ground – which means less strain on your legs! Plus, its 9-gallon design means it’ll hold all your necessary construction tools and materials.

PROs
  • It’s a gas-powered wheelbarrow that can hold up to 9 gallons.
  • It has a durable cast iron frame for maximum durability.
CONs
  • The hose is a little short which makes it difficult to use in large construction sites.
Airlift 25980 74000EZ

Airlift 25980 74000EZ

The Airlift 25980 74000EZ controller is a compact, wireless handheld device that fits in the palm of your hand. Its LCD display and push-button design make for easy use without being too complicated or difficult to navigate through. The user can program up to three different preset sequences into the switch itself! Use the free IOS and Android app to connect Arduino IDs with Bluetooth functionality on Wi-Fi-enabled equipment such as manifolds, pumps, valves, air compressors, etc. With this setup, you get full control over whatever tools or machinery you want from your phone or tablet while sitting back and focusing on other aspects of installation like routing piping and finding natural slopes – all outdoors instead of crawling around in tight spaces! Installations taking days instead of weeks? That’s how it happens with Airlift 25980 74000EZ.

PROs
  • Installation is easy to do yourself through your phone or tablet.
  • The Airlift 25980 74000 EZ controller is compact and wireless so you can set up the device in an area that is not easily accessible by machinery or tools.
CONs
  • You need a smart home hub to use the free IOS and Android app for this controller.
Wolo 860-C Air Rage Heavy-Duty Compressor

Wolo 860-C Air Rage Heavy-Duty Compressor

It’s a day of rage. Rather than build up and be all angry and sluggish, take some time to de-stress with the Wolo 860-C Air Rage Heavy Duty Compressor. It is an excellent replacement compressor manufactured for filling large volume air tanks such as 5 gallons! The tank recovery time is shorter thanks to this high output pump which has 3.5 CFM (cubic feet per minute) capacity. There are also more accessible thanks to the extra-long feeder hose that guarantees installation accessibility in any situation! Unlike other compresses on the market today, this one lets you have a 100 percent duty cycle by being designed with cooling fins, not unlike a heatsink computer chip might have when it needs a little more than just air to keep it running smoothly.

PROs
  • Installation is easy with the extra-long feeder hose.
  • The Wolo 860-C Air Rage Heavy Duty Compressor is excellent for filling large volume air tanks like 5 gallons.
CONs
  • You need

How To Choose the Best Onboard Air Compressor For Your Truck

Types of Onboard Air Compressors

The compressor is a positive displacement rotary pump that uses engine power to compress air. It comes in two types:

  • The belt drive system uses an auxiliary engine as the engine usually have greater horsepower than the actual requirement of the tractor so it is better to utilize this excess power by utilizing the belt drive system, that connects the pump with the main engine over a V-belt pulley, hence additional equipment can be avoided.
  • The shaft-driven system is also called a Hydrostatic System because an internal gear pump pressurizes oil under pressure and then this oil is transmitted to a hydraulic motor which gives the required power for running air compressor. While using a hydrostatic pump there are no chances of belt slippage there, hence is no chance of power fluctuation.

However, in most applications, it is belt driven with the auxiliary engine for the single track or with the prime mover itself when multiple trucks are connected in a road train.

How to install an ARB air compressor?

Steps to Follow While Mounting ARB Compressor

  • First of all, the area where you are planning to mount the compressor should be checked for its strength and also make sure that it is capable enough to bear the weight of the compressor.
  • Decide on an appropriate position depending upon your preference but remember not to obstruct any other control structures or cables present in that particular location because this can create a problem during operation time which may lead to serious injuries or malfunctioning.
  • The next step is drilling holes for mounting bolts at suitable locations around the compartment before fixing them into place with nuts and washers.
  • The compressor is now ready to be mounted with the help of slotted holes which will have to be screwed into place by using bolts-head and nuts for holding it in proper alignment throughout its range of motion.
  • Make sure that the area where you are mounting your Air Compressor is free from any moisture or dirt so as to avoid any kind of damage being caused to it due to rusting or corrosion because these are some very common problems that can arise if not properly taken care of especially when mounted outside on a truck bodywork which has direct exposure towards water or other harmful materials present in the atmosphere like dust or grime.
The capability of the Compressor

As the Air Compressor is a motor-driven device, it requires more power to produce greater air pressure and volume. The onboard compressors have the capability to run at low noise levels while increasing their efficiency with increased drive power. Their duty cycle can also be extended in case of higher ambient temperature conditions.

The need for RPMs These days there are various types of equipment available that will greatly help you in achieving your work requirements without any hassles which are available at extremely cheap rates when compared to what they would cost if brought from an outside source. Along with these devices also come along numerous advantages like enormous lower labor costs, shorter set up time required for installation, less amount of electrical wiring, etc. But perhaps one of the most important work tools that are available today is the air compressor which is used to provide power in order to run different equipment or tools that drive through compressed air.

The need for volume Air Compressors is perfect for those who require huge volumes of air at their workplace, as they can give you high flow rates and pressure at your desired location easily. They play a major role in providing a consistent flow rate and also can be used as a source of clean dry air as well as free from oil and other contaminants due to their inertness. This helps in achieving superior results while working with pneumatic tools and accessories thus enabling you to work more precisely every day.

Noise Level All

the commercial Air Compressors available today have a sound level of at least 85 decibels while some can even go up to 100 decibels which is extremely high for a standard environment, so it is necessary that you purchase a compressor that has reduced noise levels in order to maintain peace and quiet within your working area.

In-built safety features Many times accidents happen simply due to the lack of care from the user’s end or sometimes due to an unexpected accident that can take place anytime which can lead to disastrous consequences if proper precautions are not taken into consideration while using any product. But all these types of problems can be easily solved by making use of devices that have got specific automated systems built inside them like pressure switch cut-off features, thermal overload protection, etc.

Inverter Compressors

These compressors have a variable speed controller which helps in changing the speeds of the compressor automatically to match with the air tool’s operating speed so as to get uniform results every time, but they are a bit more expensive than the conventional compressors available out there in the market today.

Size of the Compressor

The size of the air compressor unit installed on your truck may vary as per the requirement and specifications required by your company, but it is very important that you need to ensure that you have got a system that has been designed keeping in mind the weight capacity of the body along with its horsepower availability. This will not only provide better performance from your Air Compressor but also increase its lifespan as well.

Built to Stay

Air Compressors are built to last with their heavy-duty construction and parts which makes them extremely reliable for any kind of mobile pneumatic needs. It is however necessary that you drain the tanks after each use so as to ensure that there will be no moisture or water left in them.

Benefits Of An On-Board Air Compressor

An onboard air compressor saves a lot of time and money as the on-road repairs can be completed quickly.

  • Usually, Onboard Air compressors are belt driven from a separate engine or prime mover engine thereby avoiding the extra cost to buy an auxiliary power unit. The size of these electrical devices usually depends upon the type of equipment being used with the vehicle in which the device is fitted.
  • An Onboard Air Compressor operates either by an auxiliary engine or powered by its own dedicated engine when multiple trailers are connected in road trains to provide compressed air for brakes & services applications for all vehicles which are equipped with it. This creates the availability of plenty amount of compressed air within a limited period after each stop without any interruption in the supply of compressed air
  • It is a cost-effective and efficient way to recharge the air after each stop.
  • The Onboard Air Compressor usually runs on engine power with automatic switches which avoid any overloading of the alternator, thus protecting it from overheating and damage.
  • It has a capacity range from 5 scfm (0.8 m³/min) to 25 scfm (4 m³/min).
  • A separate tank for storage is used instead of redirecting high-pressure air into the engine crankcase or back into the compressor case like other units do, which can cause oil contamination within the system. This storage tank is an additional advantage as it prevents the many problems associated with engine crankcase lubrication, which is also a safe way to operate.
  • The service brake system components are designed to keep them free from contamination by dirt and water so as to ensure a low wear rate of brakes and other parts.
  • In order to provide full boost pressure within a short time, Onboard Air Compressors have two or more compressors that run together in parallel where one compressor takes care of the first part of the boost while the second is complete it allowing short recharging times.
  • The backup feature adds safety during high-pressure air failures which may happen due to any reason such as loose connections or hose failure. This ensures continued serviceability during these remote occasions.
  • The compressors are also suitable for use with hazardous and corrosive gases.

FAQ

What Is The Best Way To Wire An Onboard Air Compressor?

In order to wire an onboard air compressor, you will have to make sure that it is properly grounded so as to reduce the chances of any damage in the long run. So in order to do this, you can simply use a grounding lug which will be connected through a ring terminal that goes into the main power source [generator or battery] from where all your other equipment gets power.

Why Do You Need an In-Truck Air Compressor?

Having an Onboard Air compressor helps you take care of all your pneumatic tools and accessories like impact wrenches, nail guns, drills, etc. which not only makes your working easier but also reduces the time taken to complete any task thus saving both time and money in the long run. What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Owning An In-Truck Air Compressor?

There are many benefits that you can enjoy by purchasing an onboard air compressor for your truck such as improved productivity which means more work done in less time; it also helps reduce fatigue levels due to the repetitive nature of work; improved accuracy which enables better control over the tool attached with high-pressure air hoses; increased contractor capability to the ability to use multiple tools at the same time; facilitates easy portability.

Is it possible to have a portable air compressor as an onboard device?

It is absolutely possible to have a portable air compressor as an onboard device because all you have to do is simply plug in your hose into the power source so that it can supply power to the tool attached with the hose which would eventually help complete your task. Can It Be Used On Trucks?

Yes, since they are designed specifically for trucks, they can be used on any type of truck without having to worry about anything at all.

Should I buy a seamlessly sealed air compressor?

Yes, it is advisable that you buy a unit that is seamlessly sealed so as to help overcome any kinds of problems in the future.

Conclusion

Therefore, if you are looking for an air compressor unit for your truck to help improve the efficiency of your work then it is recommended that you buy a seamlessly sealed onboard air compressor with inbuilt safety protections like pressure switch cut-off features, thermal overload protection which will help reduce the chances of any risks or hazards to happen.