3/8 ? Orr 1/2'' a must?

Automotive Onboard Air Systems
1

Hello, I’m new to the forums… Im setting up my K3LA with a new air system. Previously I ran a 3000psi 84CF nitrogen tank regulated down to 125 on 3/8s DOT airline. This worked well and i had no issues with the horn not getting enough air.

But when do we leave alone something that works?? I dont.

Now im upgrading to 2- 5 gallon tanks with 1 extreme aire compressor and GW valve…

my dilema is that will the 3/8ths that i used in the past be sufficient? or is 1/2 a must with a K3?

Thanks for any advice:]

Edit: I have done some searching and didnt find my answer

2

OK so somehow I didnt find the article i Just found that shows 1/2’’ is a drastic difference…

Now a different question is the outlets on my tank are 3/8ths, if i use 3/8ths to 1/2’’ and 1/2’’ for the rest of my fittings/valves/ ect- worth it or not??

3

It’s not a true 1/2" port… It may be restricted a little.

4

If your going to run a lot of line to the valve then horns, I would go with 5/8".

5

well i went with the 1/2’’… its not a huge run

6

ID or OD ?

I just upgraded mine from 1/2" OD (3/8" ID) to 5/8" OD (1/2" ID) And love it! Made a huge difference

7

Hey silvy when you changed your line out did u have to replace all your fittings too or were u able to get the upgraded line to fit?

8

I had to change them out to 5/8 PTC tube , and 1/2" NPT to go in tank / valve…

There still is the bottle neck effect with the fittings seeying as the 1/2" npt is still 3/8 id… But the extra volume in the hose is what makes for more power…

I bet you could get creative with fittings / bushing etc to eliminate the bottle effect and have a true 1/2" all the way thru.

But as of now i am extremely happy with my setup… Other day i was going over a set of RR tracks and there was a woman in a car right on my bumper, I blasted the horns and she slammed the brakes, to where the nose took a dive and trunk went up and she waited and watched for the ghost train :smiley:

Then today i was driving by a house where my mom was visiting someone and i gave it a quick blast and she thought i was at the back door… It echoed that much :wink:

9

Welcome to the forum. What size are the ports on the compressor’s output and the tank’s input?

Using a hose larger than either of those won’t help much because that’s where the airflow will be restricted. Besides, larger diameter hose usually costs more. The same is true for the tank’s output. A larger hose from your tank will add to your overall starage if you put your solenoid valve(s) close to your horns but won’t improve airflow from the tank.

10

I"m running two 1/2" lines to my K3LA using the ports at the ends of the manifold where the 1/2" lines drop to 3/8" inputs… so essentially it is running a 3/4" airline. MAN its loud…

11

^ I thought about doing that with my k5ha, but decided on a 3/4" valve and 5/8" ID hose.
I am very impressed with my results.