Air Tank?
#1
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Air Tank?
Thanks to a nice Black Friday sale I bought an under-hood-mounted air compressor for my ‘15 JKR. I installed it yesterday and am now wondering about an air tank. I don’t want to give up any of the already-limited space inside my Jeep. The only thing I’m finding as a bolt-in is the two gallon Viair tank with Synergy mount that tucks in by the rear end.
I’m only using the compressor for inflation at this time. I have E-lockers so no plan for air lockers. Someday if I get silly I may opt for an air horn, but I’m not really caring about that. I’m just looking at the possibilities.
So the question I have is if a tank is really necessary at all, and if so, will two-gallons even matter? I’m thinking inflation will drain it in just a few seconds. Maybe the only real use is to scare the neighborhood pets with a silly horn. Do any of you know of a larger tank that can be tucked into the underside of our rides? I do have a few friends who work for local fab shops and I could no doubt have something made, but if the off-the-shelf two gallon unit will do me, I’d rather not spend big bucks for something custom.
Thoughts?
I’m only using the compressor for inflation at this time. I have E-lockers so no plan for air lockers. Someday if I get silly I may opt for an air horn, but I’m not really caring about that. I’m just looking at the possibilities.
So the question I have is if a tank is really necessary at all, and if so, will two-gallons even matter? I’m thinking inflation will drain it in just a few seconds. Maybe the only real use is to scare the neighborhood pets with a silly horn. Do any of you know of a larger tank that can be tucked into the underside of our rides? I do have a few friends who work for local fab shops and I could no doubt have something made, but if the off-the-shelf two gallon unit will do me, I’d rather not spend big bucks for something custom.
Thoughts?
#2
Super Moderator
What compressor did you get? I've got the Viair with the 2.5 gallon tank and it does help with inflating tires.....for about 3 seconds, then the compressor kicks back on. The volume of pressure ready to go is nice for a couple of hits from an impact gun, though it won't do what your home compressor will do.
I don't regret the tank, I just don't know that I'd necessarily think of it as the 'end all, be all' solution.
I don't regret the tank, I just don't know that I'd necessarily think of it as the 'end all, be all' solution.
#3
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
What compressor did you get? I've got the Viair with the 2.5 gallon tank and it does help with inflating tires.....for about 3 seconds, then the compressor kicks back on. The volume of pressure ready to go is nice for a couple of hits from an impact gun, though it won't do what your home compressor will do.
I don't regret the tank, I just don't know that I'd necessarily think of it as the 'end all, be all' solution.
I don't regret the tank, I just don't know that I'd necessarily think of it as the 'end all, be all' solution.
#4
Super Moderator
If you have the twin then you should be just fine for inflating tires. Aren't they rated at 100% duty cycle? I have the smaller Viair single and the only time I hit the duty cycle was on a hot day, hood closed, setting beads and airing up 5 35" tires. The tank didn't provide much relief to the compressor. To avoid that now, I do one tire at a time and try to give the compressor a chance to rest for a minute between running it at full blast.
#5
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I've been thinking about this too. Grab a cheap 5 gallon portable tank that I can carry around to fill trailer/wagon/bike tires or use the blowgun attachment or whatever, then some type of quick disconnect to mount it to the rollbar. Also saw a cheap 7 gallon aluminum tank at harbor freight, a bit bigger but might be a better option than steel.
#6
JK Jedi
You don't need a tank. That is fine to inflate with since 100% duty cycle. A tank ain't gonna make a hill of beans either with pneumatic tools. That compressor is what it is. Save the space that you'd stick a tank in for tools, recovery gear, and spare parts or whatnot. I've had that compressor for ~5 years now and have been very happy with it. It's pricey as a tire inflator.....but it's nice to have when you've aired down in the middle of nowhere!
#7
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
I've been thinking about this too. Grab a cheap 5 gallon portable tank that I can carry around to fill trailer/wagon/bike tires or use the blowgun attachment or whatever, then some type of quick disconnect to mount it to the rollbar. Also saw a cheap 7 gallon aluminum tank at harbor freight, a bit bigger but might be a better option than steel.
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#8
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
You don't need a tank. That is fine to inflate with since 100% duty cycle. A tank ain't gonna make a hill of beans either with pneumatic tools. That compressor is what it is. Save the space that you'd stick a tank in for tools, recovery gear, and spare parts or whatnot. I've had that compressor for ~5 years now and have been very happy with it. It's pricey as a tire inflator.....but it's nice to have when you've aired down in the middle of nowhere!
#9
JK Jedi
In regards to tanks in general, it seems that a better use of space, other than a 5g tank, would be to carry bottle of CO2 so you really do have the best of both worlds. Anything that needs to be aired up like a bike or trailer tire, or a ball or raft....pull that junk right up by the jeep or vice-versa, and just use the compressor.
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Simikilr (12-25-2023)
#10
JK Jedi
Kind of thinking you’re right. And I agree that it’s pretty expensive for just inflating tires. But after buying a new JKR I’m not inclined to save a few $$$ on the things that only get touched occasionally. At my old age I don’t have time to wait on a cheap compressor. ;-)