shrockworks xterraparts
XOC Decal
Newest Members
Glim, ChossWrangler, Patman, ChargedX, Randy Howerton
10084 Registered Users
Recent Posts
Shout Box

Who's Online
0 registered (), 60 Guests and 3 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#657508 - 18/10/00 05:33 PM Blow Jax Compressor
Anonymous
Unregistered


I posted a note in the pictures section regarding a compressor that is capable of filling a 3 gallon air tank to 120 psi in 2 minutes 5 seconds. This compressor is a Blow Jax unit that is designed to run at a 100% duty cycle. At max psi (165), the compressor draws a whopping 100 amps of raw current. As the pressures drop, so drops the current. The typical off-roader will want to maintain a 90 - 120 psi level at the tank. What this means is that at that level, the compressor will be drawing some 90 amps of juice. The average duty cycle for the typical four wheel drive with no leaks in the system should be in the 20 - 30% range.

My conclusions are as follows. When that sucker kicks on, it will suck every ounce of juice it can get its hot little hands on. I would NOT run something of this caliber on a factory battery only. The million dollar question is, how long can it run on a yellow top Optima before it wipes it out?

The second problem comes back to the alternator. At 90 amps, it is a wuss. When that compressor engages and pumps up to 120 psi, how will it load the alternator and how will it affect it during the brief time period it runs? Running an alternator at max output is never a good thing, but is the time frame short enough where the effect won't be detrimental?

These are all rhetorical questions, but some out here may have some thoughts that may lead me in the right direction in my research. If anyone has a little input and a few suggestions (besides not putting it in), post them here and open it up to discussion. Just for the sake of argument, I am installing a switchable isolator with an Optima red top as the primary battery and an Optima yellow top as the auxillary battery which will run the winch, lights and compressor.

------------------
Gordon "The Warmonger" White
Silver Ice SE 4X4

Top
#657509 - 18/10/00 09:39 PM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
XOC Offline
Admin
Member
*****

Registered: 16/08/00
Posts: 17103
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
Unless you plan on using air-tools very often, you might want to settle on a Quick Air 2 or ARB compressor.

Really, it only takes me 10 minutes to air up after 8 hours of 4 wheeling.
_________________________
nom nom nom

Top
#657510 - 19/10/00 01:57 AM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
Anonymous
Unregistered


The problem I had with the Quick Air 2 was its slow speed at filling the tank. 10 minutes is way too long to fill an air tank. The Quick Air 2 slows WAY down once you pass 40 psi. X tires are run at 25 to 30 psi. I am airing up to 120. I would like to get there within a reasonable time frame.

Quote:
Originally posted by xoc:
Unless you plan on using air-tools very often, you might want to settle on a Quick Air 2 or ARB compressor.

Really, it only takes me 10 minutes to air up after 8 hours of 4 wheeling.




------------------
Gordon "The Warmonger" White
Silver Ice SE 4X4

Top
#657511 - 19/10/00 02:12 AM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
XOC Offline
Admin
Member
*****

Registered: 16/08/00
Posts: 17103
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
I missed something... You're filling an air tank to 120 PSI... why ?
_________________________
nom nom nom

Top
#657512 - 19/10/00 08:07 AM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
BoarderPhreak Offline
Member

Registered: 08/08/00
Posts: 7469
Loc: Huntington, NY
Quote:
Originally posted by xoc:
I missed something... You're filling an air tank to 120 PSI... why ?


120 / 4 = 30. ;>
_________________________
Modified 2001 SE 6cyl 5spd 4x4 Solar Yellow
-=( Another useless post, brought to you by da 'Phreak! )=-

Top
#657513 - 19/10/00 10:13 AM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
Anonymous
Unregistered


Wrong answer, now over to Jim who has the chance to win $10,000.00. Just kidding. It isn't that simple boarder. 4 times 30 doesn't equal 120 when airing tires, because you haven't factored in volume. (Damn, there goes that geometric garbage from school! :-) The range is because air lockers must have at least 90 psi to operate. The 90 - 120 psi range insures that they have operating pressure at all times.

Quote:
Originally posted by BoarderPhreak:
quote:
Originally posted by xoc:
[b]I missed something... You're filling an air tank to 120 PSI... why ?


120 / 4 = 30. ;>[/B]




------------------
Gordon "The Warmonger" White
Silver Ice SE 4X4

Top
#657514 - 19/10/00 11:07 AM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
Richard Krenn Offline
Member

Registered: 16/08/00
Posts: 557
Loc: Mount Vernon, WA, USA
I just got this from SunPerformance.com
It looks like you can fill up a 5 gallon tank in 4 minutes with a QA2

Quote:
Code:
FLOW RATE - 2.18 CFM
MAXIMUM PRESSURE - 105 P.S.I.
DUTY CYCLE : 40 MINUTES @ 40 P.S.I.

TIRE	RIM	VOLUME		TIME
31X 10.50	15 X 7	17.9 gal.		
			0-30 psi	3:15
			15-30 psi	1:28
			30-60 psi	3:40
33 X 12.50	15 X 8	23.8 gal.		
			0-30 psi	4:39
			15-30 psi	2:18
			30-60 psi	5:20
35 X 12.50	15 x 10	33.3 gal.		
			0-30 psi	6:00
			15-30 psi	3:00
			30-60 psi	7:05
TANK		5 gal.		
			0-30 psi	0:48
			60 psi	2:02
			80 psi	3:01
			100 psi	4:13

_________________________
I come from a land down under.

Top
#657515 - 19/10/00 02:08 PM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
Anonymous
Unregistered


Richard,

The problem is the max pressure is 105. If you run a Quik Air 2 in that short a range, it will be running almost constantly. The range needs to be expanded to limit how often the compressor comes on. At a range of only 15 psi, it will start running as soon as I engage the lockers. If I allow it to drop below the 90 psi level, say 80 - 105, the spring pressure in the lockers will overcome the air pressure and either disengage at an inopportune moment or cause damage to the lockers. Add to that the extra time needed to pump the tank back up and it could create a problem. The QA2 would be perfect if I didn't plan on running a tank. Although I don't know how well it would hold up under a 100% duty cycle.

Quote:
Originally posted by Richard Krenn:
I just got this from SunPerformance.com
It looks like you can fill up a 5 gallon tank in 4 minutes with a QA2

code:

FLOW RATE - 2.18 CFM
MAXIMUM PRESSURE - 105 P.S.I.
DUTY CYCLE : 40 MINUTES @ 40 P.S.I.

TIRE RIM VOLUME TIME
31X 10.50 15 X 7 17.9 gal.
0-30 psi 3:15
15-30 psi 1:28
30-60 psi 3:40
33 X 12.50 15 X 8 23.8 gal.
0-30 psi 4:39
15-30 psi 2:18
30-60 psi 5:20
35 X 12.50 15 x 10 33.3 gal.
0-30 psi 6:00
15-30 psi 3:00
30-60 psi 7:05
TANK 5 gal.
0-30 psi 0:48
60 psi 2:02
80 psi 3:01
100 psi 4:13






------------------
Gordon "The Warmonger" White
Silver Ice SE 4X4

Top
#657516 - 19/10/00 02:46 PM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
Richard Krenn Offline
Member

Registered: 16/08/00
Posts: 557
Loc: Mount Vernon, WA, USA
I think I must be missing something here.
Doesn't the ARB Locker only use a small amount of air to activate the locker via a solenoid? Once activated, the air supply can be removed and the locker will stay locked because it is traped by the solenoid (ie a constant supply of air is not required to keep the locker activated).
To deactivate the locker, the solenoid is opened and the air is released. At least that is how it sounds from their web site.
If that is the case, the small amount of air drawn from the tank to activate the locker could be replaced in seconds.

Richard
_________________________
I come from a land down under.

Top
#657517 - 19/10/00 03:27 PM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
Anonymous
Unregistered


Richard,

Actually, that is a good question. I am not really sure. I am still researching this deal. I am basing it on what I know so far. I do know it needs 90 psi to engage. I know I need a 3 gallon air tank to allow me enough leeway to air my tires so I don't have to wait a long time to accomplish it. But I don't see how the solenoids could open and close instantly due to the fact that it still needs 90 psi to engage. It would take time even in such a short length and small reservoir area to reach 90 psi. I will ask and let you know.

Quote:
Originally posted by Richard Krenn:
I think I must be missing something here.
Doesn't the ARB Locker only use a small amount of air to activate the locker via a solenoid? Once activated, the air supply can be removed and the locker will stay locked because it is traped by the solenoid (ie a constant supply of air is not required to keep the locker activated).
To deactivate the locker, the solenoid is opened and the air is released. At least that is how it sounds from their web site.
If that is the case, the small amount of air drawn from the tank to activate the locker could be replaced in seconds.

Richard




------------------
Gordon "The Warmonger" White
Silver Ice SE 4X4

Top
#657518 - 19/10/00 10:14 PM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
XOC Offline
Admin
Member
*****

Registered: 16/08/00
Posts: 17103
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
I don't understand why you don't just use the ARB compressor for airing up, and for lockers, like it's designed.

Please explain the need for a tank.
The ARB compressor fills tires almost as fast as the QA2, and works both diffs just fine.
_________________________
nom nom nom

Top
#657519 - 20/10/00 02:12 AM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
Anonymous
Unregistered


My only reason for doing it this way is that I want the reservoir. It speeds up the process of airing the tires. This is actually a very common setup in four wheel drives. The only thing I am doing diffently is powering it with a 12v compressor. Most off-roaders use an engine driven compressor. But the space in the engine compartment of an X limits this possibility. It's a matter of personal preference. I have seen it done both with a tank and without. I find that I like the setup with the tank better. And since I have the ability to do it that way, that's what I plan on doing. There's really not a whole lot more to it than that.

Quote:
Originally posted by xoc:
I don't understand why you don't just use the ARB compressor for airing up, and for lockers, like it's designed.

Please explain the need for a tank.
The ARB compressor fills tires almost as fast as the QA2, and works both diffs just fine.




------------------
Gordon "The Warmonger" White
Silver Ice SE 4X4

Top
#657520 - 09/01/01 10:27 AM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
ned946 Offline
Member

Registered: 17/08/00
Posts: 900
I just saw this thing, its a QA3!
3.65 CFM and 70PSI max
Recommended for 33" or larger tires
Inflates a 33x15 to 30psi in 1min 20 seconds

Its a High Output Dual Piston thing.
www.sunperformance.com ...okay, fine. They list their web site with their ad, and then there is no mention of it! Its in 4WD & Sport Utility Feb 2001 p. 38.

[This message has been edited by ned946 (edited January 09, 2001).]

Top
#657521 - 09/01/01 11:13 AM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
OffroadX Offline
Member

Registered: 17/08/00
Posts: 13692
Loc: Baltimore, MD
A similar-looking unit by Thomas is in an ad on page 74 of the same issue. Fewer CFM, but higher max pressure, and weighs less.

Brent
_________________________

Tip: see if your question has already been answered before asking it. Try our handy-dandy search tool!

Top
#657522 - 09/01/01 01:34 PM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
Xtoolbox Offline
Member

Registered: 23/08/00
Posts: 1668
Loc: Torrance, CA
I’m been using the ARB compressor for months now and it works great for me whether filling up the tires (plenty fast enough for me) or using my air tools

I transformed the stock ARB compressor into a portable one by using an inexpensive plastic toolbox to securely mount/store the unit and some battery clamps for power connections.

I store all the attachments & 50’ of hose in the box and can swiftly use a variety of tools with the quick connectors/couplers.

One of these days I plan on installing the ARB compressor in one of my planned new bumpers and hooking it up to the rear ARB locker after my factory warranty runs out.

Considering I paid ~ $175 for the compressor from 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers I’m really pleased with the performance so far and I may install a quarter slot in the box since it’s a very popular unit after the xcursions
_________________________
SCCX Home Page

Top
#657523 - 11/01/01 02:23 AM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
Anonymous
Unregistered


The two primary issues I have with the ARB/Quick Air 2 and 3 compressors is that they don't build sufficient pressure to satisfy me. Again, this is a personal preference thing. They can only build up to a max of around 105 psi, but most of them can't even build above 100 psi. The Quick Air 2 is the only one that can go above 100 psi. I want my tank to run at 120 psi. The thing for me is the speed and duty cycle. I just want to be able to rebuild my air pressure as quick as possible so I don't have to wait ten minutes to air all my tires up and I don't want to have to worry about the compressor overheating. I guess I am just impatient.

------------------
Gordon "The Warmonger" White

Top
#657524 - 11/01/01 07:33 PM Re: Blow Jax Compressor
Gator Saver Offline
Member

Registered: 20/08/00
Posts: 598
Loc: Lakeland, FL
Gordon,
Did you say that you found a spot for the 3 gal. tank? I wish I had more time to set aside to work on the PVC air tank on the sides of my truck. i will keep ya posted.


------------------
Allen Powell
Gator Saver
_________________________
Real Men Wear Kilts
Member number #112 Aug. 20, 2000

Top



shrockworks xterraparts
XOC Decal