Adding a tank to OBA system

[StG58]

What are the pro's and con's of adding a small air tank to an OBA system? This is for a TJ that spends a lot of time off and on road with 32's, support for a JKU on 33's and no air tools. Maybe air lockers.

Just curious at this point.

 

[kmas0n]

I recently took my tank off. It just adds complexity and leaks. As long as you have a few feet of air line, there should be enough pressure to keep you locked up without running the compressor full time.

 

[LONGJP2]

I had a tank and onboard air on a different jeep. The tank didnt really help with tires or tools. Having a compressor that puts out enough volume is what counts. A tank would allow you to activate lockers should your pump fail, but that wouldnt need to be very big.

 

[xxdabroxx]

I wouldn't bother personally. It would take a very big tank to run any air tools or fill tires without having to kick on the compressor.

 

[LONGJP2]

Exactly. Its not about running without a compressor. The tank is supposed to give you the volume you need when there's a high demand and allow the compressor to kick off and on as needed. The small tanks that fit dont really do that.

 

[ElectricWizard]

I have similar needs for my OBA system. I just use the dual ARB compressor and no tank, 99% for airing up my Jeep and occasionally friends. Works great without issues.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Adding a tank adds no complexity worth worrying about. I added a 2.5 gallon tank to my York OBA system and it was problem-free. It ran air tools effortlessly.

 

[psrivats]

What are the pro's and con's of adding a small air tank to an OBA system? This is for a TJ that spends a lot of time off and on road with 32's, support for a JKU on 33's and no air tools. Maybe air lockers.

Just curious at this point.

I have 32s. I installed a single compressor ARB in my ABS tray and it made for a clean install given it's compact size. It's more than plenty for airing up my tires. Takes less than 2mins per tire. I contemplated adding a tank but given how good this works, I don't think I need one at all.

 

[StG58]

Adding a tank adds no complexity worth worrying about. I added a 2.5 gallon tank to my York OBA system and it was problem-free. It ran air tools effortlessly.

If you don't contemplate running air tools (I don't wheel that hard or carry those kinds spares) is a tank worth it?

 

[Alex01]

Have you considered a co2 tank instead? It would be more than up to the task of air tools and be able to be swapped to which ever vehicle you take out.

Arb also makes a portable dual compressor/tank combo.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

If you don't contemplate running air tools (I don't wheel that hard or carry those kinds spares) is a tank worth it?

That depends on the likelihood of unseating a tire where you wheel.

 

[bobthetj03]

A small 5lb CO2 tank will fill 33's 6 times from 15lbs to 26lbs. FYI, and run air tools if that what gets your motor humming. Toss an ARB compressor in the ABS tray if you want redundancy and save trips to the welding supplier to fill the tank.

 

[StG58]

That depends on the likelihood of unseating a tire where you wheel.

Bingo! The starting fluid / match trick is kinda sketchy.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

However a 10 lb. aluminum CO2 tank is very hard to beat.

 

[Plumber1]

However a 10 lb. aluminum CO2 tank is very hard to beat.

Maybe but I sure like not having to worry about how much air is my tank "not a CO2 tank" that my York is trying to fill. I always seam to have a ton of stupid little things I need to do before a trip with finding a place to refill my CO2 tank.
Just me though

 

[toximus]

Bingo! The starting fluid / match trick is kinda sketchy.

A ratchet strap around the tire and tankless OBA is more than up for the task. I've seated a bunch of tires this way. If the tire decides to be tricky you can set it on a bucket, tree stump, or rock so that gravity pulls the bead down along with the ratchet strap.

 

[pagrey]

As long as we are sharing stories. I have a hose that connects two tires. When I broke a bead I just connected my spare to my blown tire and used it to re-seat the bead. For this reason I keep my spare at max psi. Just a good reserve sitting around to use. I have a small tank but agree with those that say it serves no purpose, it was fun but serves no real purpose.

 

[AndyG]

I have a viair tank ,behind the backseat ,nice but takes up a decent amount of space is the only downside, but then my backseat pretty much does also.

 

[pagrey]

As many have said, what do you do with the tank? How long can you use it before the compressor turns on and what do you use it for? Most of the time the compressor turns on within seconds and that's it, tank done. I have a tank and even so I think I've come over to the dark side, there just is no point.

 

[Mr. Bills]

My thinking is this:

A tank is needed only when one needs to store compressed to operate air tools, air horns, and lockers activated by compressed air, etc.

A 2 1/2 gal. tank isn't enough capacity to operate air tools unless one also has a high output engine driven compressor such as a York and some Sandens. A tank is actually rendered unnecessary by the high cfm rating of those compressors.

Lithium Ion battery powered tools can do everything air tools can do, take up little space, and are more versatile.

Since most of us don't have air horns we don't need a tank for one of those.

As for air operated lockers, only a small volume of air is required such that a length of air line can often function as the reservoir of compressed air. Again, no tank required.

Final Score: Tank - 0 No Tank - 3

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P.S. Here is my tankless onboard air system: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-simple-onboard-air-for-your-tj-lj-viair-400h.10235/