Dmanos
Newcastle, TX
Full Member
Joined: 08/09/2006
View Profile
 Offline
|
Not quite RV related but I am working on a little project in race trailer and wanted to get some input.
Dragging my air compressor in and out is getting a little tiresome. Its only a 3-gallon/2.5HP compressor. I am building a hard mount for it in the trailer and am wiring it into the electrical system. What I plan on doing is running a hard line straight down through the floor and then teeing it left and right with QDs that will sit just under the edge of the trailer on each side.
My question is what should I use to run my hard line? Would copper hard line work with using brass compression fittings? My working pressure is never higher than 65 psi regulated and max compressor pressure is 125 psi. The reason copper came to mind is that is how our air lines are run in our training facility (122K sq ft)for industrial air.
Thoughts, inputs, suggestion, concerns, comments, etc??
Thanks!
|
Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
Senior Member
Joined: 03/13/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
You have several options:
1. Cooper would work but it can't touch the alum. it will create to much electrolis.
2. There general run in Steel Pipe threaded. This is your best option. today 65 Lbs, tomorrow ?????
4. Rubber air hose, You could run it inside of 3/4 PVC pipe for the straight runs and secure that to the Bottom of the trailer. Bring it up thru the floor useing the PVC pipe to protect it.
5. Just use a longer hose and hang it on the wall when not being used.
Bill
|
rv2go
Somewhere between Knoxville, TN and the coast.
Senior Member
Joined: 12/26/2000
View Profile
|
Then too, you could just run the pvc as the air line.
pvc/cpvc pipe pressures
Winnebago Journey
TN Lic. RV 2 GO
Jeep Cherokee
1995 Geo Tracker
www.rv2go.us
I'm here #4335
Travel Photos
|
tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
Senior Member
Joined: 09/25/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
PVC would be the easiest and cheapest way to go.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
|
Dmanos
Newcastle, TX
Full Member
Joined: 08/09/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
Interesting. For some reason I seem to remember reading something somewhere about NOT using PVC/CPVC for air line runs.
|
|
|
hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/04/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
PVC is by far the easiest and most economical and long lasting. My friends four bay garage is plumbed with PVC for air and has been in use for years with no problems.
hershey - albuquerque, nm
Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
NASCAR 20 - - 99
|
JSGrewal
Simi Valley, CA
Full Member
Joined: 11/17/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
PVC is dangerous as an air line. I would never use it especially in something that could be exposed to extremes of hot or cold. The PVC can and will shatter and send shards everywhere.
Many industrial hose places ( technical term- we have HOSE MAN in S Calif), have a rubber product with push on fittings good for 300psi. Way easy to use and much safer than PVC. I believe its the same type of DOT hose used on trucks...
2004 F350 4x4 Crew Cab PSD
2007 Weekend Warrior LE3505+6
|
Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
Senior Member
Joined: 03/13/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Just a note, I didn't say to run the air thru the PVC, I said run the Air hose thru the PVC, to keep if from chaffing and sagging. The approved air hose is reinforced to handle the air pressure, fluctuations, temps. PVC breaks to easy on impact but would make a channel way for protecting the hose from rocks, water, and road hazards. JMadditional2.5Cents Bill
|
Southwind85
Where I Park
Senior Member
Joined: 01/31/2007
View Profile
|
Run a flexible hose from the compressor attachment to the mounted air line. If you hit a bump and the compressor jumps, you're going to likely break the regular attach point.
PVC is asking for trouble. It's all happy hunky dorey right up to the moment that it fails. PVC that fails under pressure tends to shatter into sharp high velocity projectiles. Metal piping or hoses that fail just dump the pressure through the break without coming to pieces. Don't forget that you're planning on running this plumbing OUTSIDE the trailer in one of the most hostile environments on a vehicle which means it'll probably get hit with stuff that will weaken the pipe. If you're running a hose through the PVC, no problem since it'll never be pressurized.
For the external mounted disconnects do you have a way to keep debris out of them? Think mud/dirt on the road during a rainstorm getting kicked up by the tires on oncoming traffic.
As someone else mentioned, what's wrong with a longer hose?
The Good Life
|
Oldfordman
Marysville, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/30/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Another solution is to get an inexpensive hose reel from Harbor Freight. I did this in my garage. Just run a hose from the compressor to the reel and secure it to the trailer wall with straps made for the purpose. My reel has 35' of hose and it allows me to reach any vehicle in my driveway.
Life is full of choices. I choose to have fun!
|
|
|
