I have read all about the various compressor models, ratings, manufacturer guidelines, and warranty limits. For my dual Viair 400C units this means I need to limit my tank to no more than 10 gallons (5 gallons per compressor unit). The trouble is that I want to go up to a 20-gallon tank without buying new compressors. At first glance it looks impossible without voiding the warranty but I just thought of a fairly simple solution and I am wondering if anyone has done it.
The answer is a simple controller circuit with an additional solenoid valve to do the following: Basically I connect one 10-gallon tank to my current setup and let the dual Viair compressors fill it to 150 psi like they do normally. This only takes about 2.5 minutes total run time, so then I need the compressors to shut off for 5 minutes rest per the 33% duty cycle. Then the controller circuit can switch the solenoid valve to the second tank and turn the compressors back on and fill the second 10-gallon tank to 150 psi. So the compressors never fill more than their rated capacity at any one time and they always get the required rest between uses, but I end up with 20 gallons of air at 150 psi.
The only drawback is that if I drain all 20 gallons at once then it will take 10 minutes before they are both full again, however this would be rare and I would have one of the tanks full in just 2.5 minutes like always so no real functionality lost. Of course I need to buy another tank, solenoid valve, and build the controller circuit but I can do that easy enough and it will be much cheaper than buying new compressors.
Or you could just run them the way you want, and replace them when they wear out. Wanna play you gotta pay. I run 2 8.5 gallon tanks, 2 480’s. I run them hard all the time. When they puke I will just buy new ones. Stuff wears out, I dont expect them to replace it. They build quality compressors, I highly doubt you will be able to kill them anytime soon.
Wanna be safe mount fans on top of the compressors.
I would just use 3 comp. for this case. Be sure your electrical system can handle it though.
You need to remember how often are you gonna drain the tank right down. If its a habitual thing you need to really consider another compressor.
Or you could just run them the way you want, and replace them when they wear out. Wanna play you gotta pay. I run 2 8.5 gallon tanks, 2 480’s. I run them hard all the time. When they puke I will just buy new ones. Stuff wears out, I dont expect them to replace it. They build quality compressors, I highly doubt you will be able to kill them anytime soon.
I’ve got a 20 gallon tank and 2 Viairs running mine with no problems. My buddy owns Jackson Performance and has been selling and running this set-up for many years without any problems at all.
It wouldn’t be too hard to build the controller circuit and install everything. Probably less than $100 total cost including the new valve.
The main reasons I don’t want to install more compressors, besides the cost, is the amount of extra space / power / noise that is involved. My two existing compressors already draw up to 60 amps and this is pushing the capacity of my oversized battery and alternator as it is. I am not going to buy another battery or upgrade my alternator, and I don’t want the extra noise or space taken up to install more compressors.
So my options are to overload my compressors and wear them out sooner, replacing them more often, or to build a controller circuit to stay within spec and still get to 20-gallons. I am surprised nobody has done this before.
Why not run 2 lines to the 2nd tank, one line with a check valve, and the other line with an electric valve? This way when you run the horns off of the main tank it will pull what it needs from the second tank, but when you are filling the tanks, it will only fill the 1st tank, then you open the valve and now you have both tanks full… you would have to do it in increments because you will have to “Level” out the 2 tanks…Just make sure you get it before the pressure switch kicks in…
LOL at the suggestion to get an XD3000. If I were going to spend $1,500 on a compressor it would be mounted to the engine and not run on DC. And 180 amps???!!! I would need a lot more battery / alternator to run that thing.
Guess I should make a controller and then sell them for $50 each - poor mans version of a $1,500 upgrade…
I see a thread on how to get more performance with what you have. You want to fill big tanks with only a couple of small compressors. Get 6, 8, 10, or 12 480c’s and when you’ve finally reached the performance of an XD3000, you will have spent just as much and will be drawing the same amount of current.
Just don’t operate the compressors over their rated duty cycle and you will be fine. Please keep in mind that it takes a specific amount of time to fill any predetermined tank volume. Any compressor, of any type, has a working life span. That life span can be used over time, or used up very quickly - depending on the way you use the compressors.
I was thinking about getting a 400C sometime in the future when my current comp gives out. since my comp is inside the cab, how much louder is a 400C compared to a 275C?
I appreciate the comments Dan. I am sure the XD3000 is a fine product and it must be a huge step up from smaller compressors. My intent, however, is to fill 20 gallons with my two existing Viair 400C compressors and to avoid installing a lot more compressors or anything else that would cost a lot, take up a lot of space, require battery or alternator upgrades, or make a bunch of noise. I was asking for feedback on the concept of a controller circuit which would cost less than $100 to implement, so your suggestion of a $1,500 upgrade was a little off target. Not a bad idea for someone with unlimited funds and the willingness to install such a monster in their vehicle - just not for me at this time.
As a side note, if I were going to make a huge upgrade from 10-20 gallons or my existing compressors then I would probably go with one or more nitrogen tanks and a regulator valve. The cost to refill those wouldn’t be much at all compared to the thousands spent on a monster compressor setup, plus they would produce almost no noise and would probably take up a lot less space. And no down time between blasts.
I don’t have dB ratings to compare them, but they are somewhat comparable. I’d say that the 400C is louder than the 275C however. Both are close to the same duty cycle rating, and within .51 CFM of each other in performance.
The amount of space and noise level of the XD3000 is pretty much the same as 2 400c’s. The cost of filling a nitrogen bottle over time would be about the same as paying for an XD3000 on a credit card. The compressor draws about the same current as your starter. It may run 10 to 20 seconds to top off a tank. Some customers haven’t needed to upgrade their electrical systems and some have. Most of those that did just had to get a good deep cycle battery.
You are obviously a smart person, as are most of you on this forum, but there seems to be this mental block about Oasis compressors.
Not a bad idea for someone with unlimited funds and the willingness to install such a monster in their vehicle - just not for me at this time.
