This is something of a followup to my previous thread on the subject. I'm still looking to run permanently-mounted OBA, and the main considerations are a) keeping costs low, b) running it electrically since I want to keep my A/C, and c) choosing the right compressor for the job. In the couple of days' research I've put into this, there are a few things that have crossed my mind:
1) The main use for this at present will be airing up. Running air tools is not a serious consideration at this point.
2) Duty cycle should be at or as close to 100% as possible. Stopping after filling 1.5 tires to let the compressor cool down is not something I want to deal with.
3) Durability is paramount, since it's most likely going to be mounted under the hood.
4) CFM should be as high as possible. Spending 20 minutes (or more) per tire going from 16 to 32psi is unacceptable.
5) Future plans call for a front ARB locker, and from what I've gathered they require 80-100psi for activation. Basically, this means a compressor capable of around 125psi, keeping to the CFM and duty cycle requirements above.
So far, I've looked into the Lincoln / Cadillac suspension units, Viairs of various capacities, and adapting an auto parts store special. The latter seems to be the least-appealing of the options, based on the specs I'm reading.
Viair has some nice units, but the price is higher than I really want to go. FWIW, the same applies to ARB - and on a price/performance ratio to the Viairs, the ARB compressors aren't even close.
The Cadillac unit seems to be the closest fit for what I'm looking to accomplish, but having read through this writeup the only thing I don't quite grasp is which models of Cadillac are likely to have the air compressor. I know the writer mentions mid-'80s vehicles, but which ones are likely to have it, and on what trim levels?
Any help on this will be very gratefully received... I'm on a very tight budget right now, and this is something I have zero familiarity with.
1) The main use for this at present will be airing up. Running air tools is not a serious consideration at this point.
2) Duty cycle should be at or as close to 100% as possible. Stopping after filling 1.5 tires to let the compressor cool down is not something I want to deal with.
3) Durability is paramount, since it's most likely going to be mounted under the hood.
4) CFM should be as high as possible. Spending 20 minutes (or more) per tire going from 16 to 32psi is unacceptable.
5) Future plans call for a front ARB locker, and from what I've gathered they require 80-100psi for activation. Basically, this means a compressor capable of around 125psi, keeping to the CFM and duty cycle requirements above.
So far, I've looked into the Lincoln / Cadillac suspension units, Viairs of various capacities, and adapting an auto parts store special. The latter seems to be the least-appealing of the options, based on the specs I'm reading.
Viair has some nice units, but the price is higher than I really want to go. FWIW, the same applies to ARB - and on a price/performance ratio to the Viairs, the ARB compressors aren't even close.
The Cadillac unit seems to be the closest fit for what I'm looking to accomplish, but having read through this writeup the only thing I don't quite grasp is which models of Cadillac are likely to have the air compressor. I know the writer mentions mid-'80s vehicles, but which ones are likely to have it, and on what trim levels?
Any help on this will be very gratefully received... I'm on a very tight budget right now, and this is something I have zero familiarity with.