HELP!!! With my Viair compressor/tank combo!

[tacoclimber]

So my wife bought me a Viair compressor/tank combo for Christmas this year, decided to give it to me early as I'm going wheeling tomorrow, and last night I very happily began to install it...

It wasn't till I had it out of the box, and almost bolted down that I noticed that the fitting on the tank is for 1/2" tubing, not the type of fitting that you can put a quick release type. So, my question is, are there other fittings that I can use that will convert this 1/2" tubing fitting unto a size that I can use for a quick release?

Here's a few picture of what she bought me.
http://pictures.kyozou.com/pictures/_4/3156/3155588.jpg
http://pictures.kyozou.com/pictures/_5/4484/4483970.jpg
And the link to the product:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VIAIR-20005-150-PSI-2-Gallon-Onboard-Air-Kit-FREE-SHIP_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el126 2QQcategoryZ33585QQihZ004QQitemZ140229185096QQtcZp hoto"]Viair (http://"[url) Compressor and Tank[/URL]

The fitting in question is the one on the right in the bottom picture. The tank is actually tapped for that size fitting, so I can't just replace it with the quick release. I'd really like to make this work, as I don't know if I can return it now that I've opened everything up. Any ideas, guys?

[Cebby]

Go to Lowes/HD in the plumbing section. The small brass fittings section (usually near the toilet stuff) has a huge amount of adapters and such. You should be able to find an adapter to make it work.

[L33T35T Tacoma]

If it's 1/2" NPT (National Pipe thread) then find a reducer from 1/2 NPT to 1/4 NPT. Then stick a coupler in there and you're down the road :-)

[L33T35T Tacoma]

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=35098-104-A827/PB110&lpage=none

[tacoclimber]

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=35098-104-A827/PB110&lpage=none


See, I need the opposite of that. And actually, I think I need an 1/8" to 1/4" or 1/2" NPT adapter. The tubing fitting that's in there is an 1/8" I believe. So to get a quick release fitting to work, I'd need an 1/2" wouldn't I?

[tacoclimber]

I'll check the Depot and Lowe's. Thanks guys. I'll let you know what I find.

[Seanz0rz]

my guess is that hole is NOT 1/2 NPT. most likely 1/4 considering the size of the tank.

most quick releases are 1/4"

[Tankota]

I pretty sure most quick release fittings are 3/8 or 1/4 NPT. I know you can get fittings to bush that no problem. You should even be able to do that with only one fitting. Try not to end up with a whole Christmas tree of pipe fittings.

[4x4mike]

I couldn't look at the link in the original post because it's for eBay and it's blocked here are work. From the picture in the original post it looks like the fitting on the tank might be a 1/8" and possibly for a Viair hose. I would take what ever fitting is in there now, off so you just have the whole in the tank. Take the fitting you have off and take it to Lowes or Homie D. It's either a 1/2" or 3/8" which are common for that application. The part you're looking for is called a bushing (I don't know why because it doesn't look like a bushing to me. Either way get a brass one and not a cast one.

Now it sounds like you're wanting to plug a hose into the tank via a coupler. If it were me I'd get a busing that went from the size in the tank (1/2", 3/8", whatever) to 1/4"NPT female. Then I would get a coupling (that will except the hose fitting you are using) with male threads. Screw the coupling in the bushing and you're ready to go with only buying 2 pieces. Another option you do is get an 90* elbow to direct the coupling to the side and not straight up. Straight up might make it more suspetable to getting clogged with mud and water. The elbows will be with the bushings, most of the time they're called street elbows (once again why street? I don't know). The elbows come in male and female ends with all kinds of different threads.

[4x4mike]

Ok now looking at it a little closer the fitting that might be on the tank might be a compression fitting. It it is it makes sense that it's 1/8" (now thats hose ID and not thread size). It's a common size for aig bags and street suspension which I think that compressor and tank were made for. No problem, take it off and get the above mentioned parts. That means you'll have to buy and hose and fittings which is no problem because the 1/8" is a little small for even airing up. Get one of those yellow coil 25' hoses and a female threaded coupler, female threaded coupler end that goes in the couple (for the other side of the hose, and an air chuck. Now you're in business, plug your hose in the coupler that you've installed on the tank, plug on you air chuck and turn it on.

Cheers to early Christmas gifts. Especially offroad related ones from a SO.

[tacoclimber]

Alrighty boys, I think I figured it out, with a little help from you...

I found a 1/8" plug at Home Depot. Gonna plug where the 1/8" hose compression is, and replace the 1/4" pressure relief with a quick release setup. I figure as long as I make sure I release the pressure in the tank when I'm done, I should be good to go.

I think I made a bigger deal out of it that it was. It's my first mod in a while...I'm a little rusty. :laugh:

Thanks again guys... :clap:

I'll update when I get 'er all dialed.

[corax]

I found a 1/8" plug at Home Depot. Gonna plug where the 1/8" hose compression is, and replace the 1/4" pressure relief with a quick release setup. I figure as long as I make sure I release the pressure in the tank when I'm done, I should be good to go.



Unless I misunderstand, DO NOT REMOVE THE PRESSURE RELEASE!! It's a safety feature, though you could probably tee it in somewhere else on the pressure side of everything easily enough

[RobG]

CJ,

(2X) You don't want to remove the pressure relieve valve.

Either
- Get a 1/8"male NPT to 1/4" female NPT adapter and use the 1/8" NPT outlet
- Plug the 1/8" outlet and use a 1/4" T or street T to connect both the pressure relieve and your output to the one port.
- Or get a 1/8" pressure relieve valve.

HD or lowes should have that stuff, Graingers definitely will.

[4x4mike]

Like Corax said put the pressure release back. It's designed to release the pressure if the tanks fill more than it should (the valve has a set release pressure). A reason for it to over fill is a bad pressure switch. I'd pull out the compression fitting that you spoke of earlier and use that hole.

[4x4mike]

CJ,

(2X) You don't want to remove the pressure relieve valve.

Either
- Get a 1/8"male NPT to 1/4" female NPT adapter and use the 1/8" NPT outlet
- Plug the 1/8" outlet and use a 1/4" T or street T to connect both the pressure relieve and your output to the one port.
- Or get a 1/8" pressure relieve valve.

HD or lowes should have that stuff, Graingers definitely will.





I doubt the tank has a 1/8" NPT hole in it, that's way to small. It could have a fitting that accepts and 1/8" hose via compresson fitting though.
For a 2 gallon tank that things has a bunch of holes in it.

Lowes, HD or even HF have the 2 or 3 parts you need.

[tacoclimber]

So... Removal of pressure release valve: BAD. Got it.

I also grabbed a 1/8" - 1/8" nipple, and found a 1/8" female to 1/4" male adapter, just in case. I'll go that route.

I was thinking that since the tank has a pressure kill switch to keep the compressor from overfilling it, that the pressure release was just an added thing, and not necessary. Good to know.

What if I got a 1/4" T, and came out of the tank with a 1/4" nipple, into the tee, mounted the release valve on the 90 part, and then continued on with the 1/4" quick release?

[tacoclimber]

Obviously...this pneumatic stuff's new to me... :confused:

[RobG]

What if I got a 1/4" T, and came out of the tank with a 1/4" nipple, into the tee, mounted the release valve on the 90 part, and then continued on with the 1/4" quick release?


I thought I said that? That should work just fine.

Check out fittings on McMaster Carr if you want to see what is available.

[4x4mike]

Why not use the post that is for taking air out of the tank. Just take off the compreson fitting. That way you're not adding tees and excess fittings.

[4runnerchevy]

Wow, its just a compressor. If you cant find it I will send you what you need no cost just shipping. Just PM me, pneumatics are my game.

[corax]

Wow, its just a compressor. If you cant find it I will send you what you need no cost just shipping. Just PM me, pneumatics are my game.


Kev to the rescue . . . that's why he made Featured Member even with a Chevy engine :hillbill:

[4runnerchevy]

LOL, funny. Just willing to help a UY member (its a post thing). Truth be that I once bought three pallets of this kind of stuff for $20 bucks, all brass. It was some time ago.

[Terracoma]

Which of these kits (http://www.viaircorp.com/airsourcekits.html) did you get? The link you posted is to P/N 20005, which comes with the Viair 280C.

As was mentioned before, do not remove the 1/4" NPT safety valve (with the ring loop attached to it) or the 1/4" NPT drain valve (on the bottom of the tank). You want to remove the 1/4" NPT compression fitting from the tank, as it sounds like you simply want to mount your air quick-connect coupler directly the tank. The compression fitting on the tank is for running air line to another location on the truck, such as to a manifold where your ARB locker solenoids would be mounted.

If you indeed have have the P/N 200005 kit (with the Viair 280C compressor), you should only need a male quick-connect coupler (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41I0NfOhr9L._SL500_AA280_.jpg) and it should thread directly into the tank. If you have one of the other kits with the large compressors (380C or 480C), then you'll need a 1/2" NPT to 1/4" NPT reducing bushing (http://www.avsontheweb.com/images/T/Picture349-04.jpg) (which will thread into the tank), in addition to the air coupler (which will thread into the reducer bushing).




I was thinking that since the tank has a pressure kill switch to keep the compressor from overfilling it, that the pressure release was just an added thing, and not necessary. Good to know.


The pressure switch (electrical) signals the compressor relay to open or close the circuit powering the compressor.

The safety valve (mechanical) is in place to protect the compressor in the event that the pressure switch fails and the compressor runs without stopping.




...it makes sense that it's 1/8" (now thats hose ID and not thread size)...


Minor correction, air hose of this size/style is measured by it's outside diameter (OD).

[tacoclimber]

Sorry if I sounded like an idiot, or didn't clearly articulate what I was dealing with. Like I said...pneumatics are new territory for me.

I figured it all out. Used it today, worked like a charm.

Thanks for the help guys.

[4x4mike]

Cool, good to hear. Any wheeling pics?

[tacoclimber]

Yup... I'll get em up in the next day or so...