opinions on tank and compressor setups

[made2drag]

on a front and rear system would it be better to run a 5gal tank and compressor for the front..... and a 5gal tank and compressor for the back?


or just one 5 gal tank and 2 compressors for front and rear?


or two 5 gal tanks 2 comp for front and 1 tank and a comp for rear?


used as a dailey driver but occassional playing round with the switches for fun.


lets see what opinions are out there....any and all opinions welcome

[jimmydean]

You could go with 2 tanks and 2 compressors tied together. The issue is the rear needs a lot less air, so if you had them split, the tank/compressor for the rear would see maybe half the load.

5 gallons is enough to get you up and down a little. I am going with an 8 gallon tank and 2 compressors.

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

You could go with 2 tanks and 2 compressors tied together. The issue is the rear needs a lot less air, so if you had them split, the tank/compressor for the rear would see maybe half the load.

5 gallons is enough to get you up and down a little. I am going with an 8 gallon tank and 2 compressors.

great idea! thanks

[tubbedII]

I think 1 5 gallon and 2 comps is fine. I worry more about fill time than volume since if you can fill it faster you don't need the volume. Plus it's cheaper and will take up less room/amps.

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by tubbedII

I think 1 5 gallon and 2 comps is fine. I worry more about fill time than volume since if you can fill it faster you don't need the volume. Plus it's cheaper and will take up less room/amps.

hmmm....thats true, if you can fill it fast.... it doesnt matter that much about volume

thanks

[tubbedII]

It's the reason why I went with a EDC...I only had 1 440 viair comp to my 5 gallon tank...it took 15 minutes to fill up...hated it...but all I was doing was playing with it in the garage...haven't driven it yet, so I probably won't be playing with it much while driving...

[nhtc33d]

I really wish i would have put a 8 gallon tank in. I did a York 209 EDC with a 5 gallon tank. My truck lays frame and i cannot raise it from the ground to full height on 1 fill without compressor kicking on.

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by nhtc33d

I really wish i would have put a 8 gallon tank in. I did a York 209 EDC with a 5 gallon tank. My truck lays frame and i cannot raise it from the ground to full height on 1 fill without compressor kicking on.

ok, i'll keep that in mind...i was going to use an 8 gallon a friend was giving me and go with a 5 gallon later...an 8 might be what i need afterall

[jimmydean]

You will have to use 2 compressors with an 8 gallon tank or that thing will never fill.

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

You will have to use 2 compressors with an 8 gallon tank or that thing will never fill.

gotcha

[American Pastimes]

most compressors viair thomas etc. are tested and rated on 3 gallon tanks...

[61_FL_Apache]

Originally Posted by tubbedII

I think 1 5 gallon and 2 comps is fine. I worry more about fill time than volume since if you can fill it faster you don't need the volume. Plus it's cheaper and will take up less room/amps.

I would vote for this setup.

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by American Pastimes

most compressors viair thomas etc. are tested and rated on 3 gallon tanks...

This is good to know, thanks.

I know when I built my '69 I had a 7 gallon tank with a single Thompson compressor and it was way too much volume. I put a kill switch so I could stop it mid fill to keep from burning up the poor little guy.

[N2TRUX]

Another option would be to run two 3 gallon tanks. I have that set up and I can go from laid out to ride height with air left over.

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Another option would be to run two 3 gallon tanks. I have that set up and I can go from laid out to ride height with air left over.

with 1 comp on each? two 3 gallons tied together?

[N2TRUX]

I have two 3 gallons tied together running one compressor. I plan to add another one to reduce run time, but its not necessary.

[American Pastimes]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I have two 3 gallons tied together running one compressor. I plan to add another one to reduce run time, but its not necessary.

also depends on the compressor.... Thomas 327 no LOL viair 450,480 okay for a while...

[SCOTI]

2x 3gal tanks w/a compressor to each. Use each tank for L-side/R-side vs. F/R to avoid the volume requirement difference.

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I have two 3 gallons tied together running one compressor. I plan to add another one to reduce run time, but its not necessary.

what is the reason for tieing 2 3 gallons together compared to a 5 or 6 gallon tank? does the comp feed where they tie together? valve placement? thanks

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

2x 3gal tanks w/a compressor to each. Use each tank for L-side/R-side vs. F/R to avoid the volume requirement difference.

as long as the compressors fill at the same rate every time

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by made2drag

what is the reason for tieing 2 3 gallons together compared to a 5 or 6 gallon tank? does the comp feed where they tie together? valve placement? thanks

It's easier to mount 2 smaller 3 gallon tanks than a 5 gallon. I have room, so that is why I am running an 8 gallon. Scoti makes a great point. I am just a fan of tieing the tanks together.

[Lost Vegas]

As far as what size tank or how many tanks. Few people realize on an air suspension it's not about volume it's about pressure. 200psi is 200psi no matter if it's I'n a 5gal tank or 80gal shop compressor. I've built a ton of air ride setups and suspension. And ny opinion (unless ur bagging an f350 ) for your truck one 5gal tank and two compressors will be plenty. And as long as u run a comp setup such as dual Viar 450s or 480s or air zenith ob2 or newer u will have plenty of air for ride and play. It should only take any of the setups to reach 200psi about 5-7 min from 0psi and from 160-200psi 1-2 min. Plenty fast and reliable. I recommend Viar over air zenith for the simple fact that they stand behind there product better never had a warranty issue where as air zenith are like cell phones if they look like they have been abused or ever gotten wet etc they will not warranty. Hope this helps. Feel free to message me w any questions u have
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[dv8customs]

Volume comes into play when going from fully laid out to ride height. I hate having to lift up half way and then wait several minutes for the compressors before I can finally get to ride height.

[PBFAB.COM]

You are correct volume is volume and pressure is presure but unlike shop air the air is displaced into a contained area so volume does effect the performance of the system.... 5-6 gal is adequate for a dailey if you are a young kid in a mini or a kid at heart and like to play (2) 5 gal. would be ideal

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by dv8customs

Volume comes into play when going from fully laid out to ride height. I hate having to lift up half way and then wait several minutes for the compressors before I can finally get to ride height.

thanks, it took about 80 psi to raise my truck in the front to drive it out of my driveway with 2 inches of clearance and then i drove the truck a mile before my 5 gal tank was around 120-150 psi. i had (2) viair 380's. that was with a 03 s10 and 2600's. i have a 380 and a 5 gallon tank and i made this thread to get opinions in case i was missing out on a better way of doing it