SharkXJ
NAXJA Member #1177
- Location
- San Jose, CA
**WANRING - Kind of long and Winded :anon: **
I bought the VIAIR Constant Duty Onboard Air System about a Year and a half ago. I got a GREAT deal on it so I snagged it up. It's been sitting in the box in my garage ever since.
Yes I know I could have just gone with a CO2 tank but finding a place for a CO2 tank with all of my gear in the back of the rig is a PITA, especially when I take the family camping. I also like the idea of being able to refill the tank on the trail and I only paid $250 for the entire kit (vs. the $450 selling price today).
Here is the kit
http://www.viaircorp.com/10007.html
After I bought the kit I realized I didn't want it permanently mounted in my rig. This is my DD and I have a kid and a wife so I need the room. I did some reading and found some great ideas on how to set up similar OBA systems but all of them were permanent installs.
With that said I decided I was going to build a portable box to house the Compressor and the 2.5 Gal Tank. There was a lot of thought that went into this.
1. I had to have the box internal height and internal width to allow room for the fittings and hoses and room for it to breath.
2. At the same time I wanted it to fit in the back of the rig with the back seat up.
3. I also wanted it narrow enough so I could fit my cooler or camping bin next to it.
4. Then I wanted it strong enough to handle the weight of my camping bin if I have all 3 in the back at the same time.
Now mind you, I am not an Engineer nor am I a Carpenter :helpme:
Here is a crappy camera phone pic of where I am to date (sides, front and bottom assembled)
I am using 1/2" Standard Ply Wood along with 2" L Brackets for extra support.
Measurements:
Base Dimensions: 34" L x 18" W
Height 10" H x 33" Long
Top is 29 1/4" long. The top is a shorter in length because I cut the back at an angle that matches the angle of the back seat up to allow maximum space for fittings (more pix tonight). The top will also be cut in half and hinged so I can have access to the Compressor and Tank.
Opening in front 6"x6". I am going be adding a little door soon.
I have done some test fitting and from what I can tell everything will fit perfectly. I am going to install a computer fan next to the compressor that will be connected to the On/Off Switch. I am going to also have the On / Off switch mounted to the front of the box.
That is as far as I have gotten so far. Still need to wire the power source
and get a plug to unplug and plug it in.
Once the box is assembled and I have all of the accessories mounted then it will be covered with Grey Indoor/Outdoor Carpet.
I will be updating this with my progress over the next week.
Thx for reading -
Mark
I bought the VIAIR Constant Duty Onboard Air System about a Year and a half ago. I got a GREAT deal on it so I snagged it up. It's been sitting in the box in my garage ever since.
Yes I know I could have just gone with a CO2 tank but finding a place for a CO2 tank with all of my gear in the back of the rig is a PITA, especially when I take the family camping. I also like the idea of being able to refill the tank on the trail and I only paid $250 for the entire kit (vs. the $450 selling price today).
Here is the kit
http://www.viaircorp.com/10007.html
After I bought the kit I realized I didn't want it permanently mounted in my rig. This is my DD and I have a kid and a wife so I need the room. I did some reading and found some great ideas on how to set up similar OBA systems but all of them were permanent installs.
With that said I decided I was going to build a portable box to house the Compressor and the 2.5 Gal Tank. There was a lot of thought that went into this.
1. I had to have the box internal height and internal width to allow room for the fittings and hoses and room for it to breath.
2. At the same time I wanted it to fit in the back of the rig with the back seat up.
3. I also wanted it narrow enough so I could fit my cooler or camping bin next to it.
4. Then I wanted it strong enough to handle the weight of my camping bin if I have all 3 in the back at the same time.
Now mind you, I am not an Engineer nor am I a Carpenter :helpme:
Here is a crappy camera phone pic of where I am to date (sides, front and bottom assembled)
I am using 1/2" Standard Ply Wood along with 2" L Brackets for extra support.
Measurements:
Base Dimensions: 34" L x 18" W
Height 10" H x 33" Long
Top is 29 1/4" long. The top is a shorter in length because I cut the back at an angle that matches the angle of the back seat up to allow maximum space for fittings (more pix tonight). The top will also be cut in half and hinged so I can have access to the Compressor and Tank.
Opening in front 6"x6". I am going be adding a little door soon.
I have done some test fitting and from what I can tell everything will fit perfectly. I am going to install a computer fan next to the compressor that will be connected to the On/Off Switch. I am going to also have the On / Off switch mounted to the front of the box.
That is as far as I have gotten so far. Still need to wire the power source
and get a plug to unplug and plug it in.
Once the box is assembled and I have all of the accessories mounted then it will be covered with Grey Indoor/Outdoor Carpet.
I will be updating this with my progress over the next week.
Thx for reading -
Mark