Using air suspension system to fill and maintain an air tank?

[nom3rcy]

Hi everyone, long time lurker with an 02 4.6iS in the family. I'm looking to purchase an 06 4.8is for myself in the near future as a daily driver and to tow my e30 M3 to the track.

As a trackside vehicle I'm planning on doing some interesting mods, one of which would be the ability to use the on board air to fill a portable air tank.

Has anyone tried to tap into the air system in this way? Seems it would be relatively easy but I'm not sure of the capacity of the pump and if it could handle the long duty cycle to fill a tank up.

Any thoughts and suggestions would be great, thanks!

[killcrap]

I custom made a fitting to supply air to my resivoir for my air horn. Works fine

[Icer006]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

Hi everyone, long time lurker with an 02 4.6iS in the family. I'm looking to purchase an 06 4.8is for myself in the near future as a daily driver and to tow my e30 M3 to the track.

As a trackside vehicle I'm planning on doing some interesting mods, one of which would be the ability to use the on board air to fill a portable air tank.

Has anyone tried to tap into the air system in this way? Seems it would be relatively easy but I'm not sure of the capacity of the pump and if it could handle the long duty cycle to fill a tank up.

Any thoughts and suggestions would be great, thanks!

1) Would it not make the air ride pump run longer, hence lowering its effective life?

2) A portable pump is much cheaper and...well...portable for auto-X or track days. I bought a small portable pump w/ compressor for auto-x or DEs

[amacman]

Originally Posted by killcrap

I custom made a fitting to supply air to my resivoir for my air horn. Works fine

how did you get a resivoir
I got a reservoir .

[nom3rcy]

Originally Posted by Icer006

1) Would it not make the air ride pump run longer, hence lowering its effective life?

2) A portable pump is much cheaper and...well...portable for auto-X or track days. I bought a small portable pump w/ compressor for auto-x or DEs

It would definitely have a longer duty cycle when the tank is connected, and I'm sure there would be a trade off in life expectancy because of it. I am just curious if anyone has experienced it and if it is something to be wary of.

I have a portable pump with tank but it is pretty large. A small portable aluminum tank would take up much less space in an already cramped rear area, and is easy to carry around at the track.

I also have doubts about using an inverter to power an air compressor, not sure it would be able to handle the load.

[Hit Redline]

Originally Posted by killcrap

I custom made a fitting to supply air to my resivoir for my air horn. Works fine

Please share more info on this set up.

[Icer006]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

I also have doubts about using an inverter to power an air compressor, not sure it would be able to handle the load.

The power inverter is eventually driven by the alternator, which is driven by the motor, both of which are designed to run much longer life intervals than the air compressor for the suspension. I'd think it's ok as long as you have the motor running.

[nom3rcy]

Originally Posted by Icer006

The power inverter is eventually driven by the alternator, which is driven by the motor, both of which are designed to run much longer life intervals than the air compressor for the suspension. I'd think it's ok as long as you have the motor running.

The load on the vehicle's electrical system shouldn't be an issue, it is the inverter that I am concerned about, as most can hardly run a hair dryer.

[ringo]

Do not try to use the onboard compressor for external air. There is a time out limitation on the pumping time, which will fire an error into the system which will require a visit to the stealer if it happens. Much cheaper to use a mini compressor, I have a 2 chamber compressor which lives in the car and will deliver enough to power small air tools.

[nom3rcy]

great answer ringo, thanks much!

sounds like an external compressor is the answer