Factory AC -> On-board Air

[oryhara]

hey all. I've been around this site, but not for quite some time(so long, that i've forgotten my old login) and I did a search for this topic before posting, but found no direct answers to this question:

Can I use my Factory A/C Compressor to power an On-Board-Air system?
2003 Ranger 4x4 FX4 LevelII It's got the 4.0 and a manual tranny/transfer case. It is all stock except for my (ridiculous) aftermarket stereo.

My intent is to turn the bed into my workshop for retrieving/repairing my motorcycle, as there is no AAA for bikes.

I want to be able to run air tools, and i've priced out a welder that will fit back there and run on the inverter i've got.

Would it be better to buy a 12V compressor and use that instead? I've read the articles about using York Compressors in a Jeep, but there were no mentions of what compressors come on a Ranger in this generation.

I have to go get the AC system emptied of freon?

I live in NH, so there is no need of AC for 11 months of the year, and i'll probably be riding my motorcycle that 12th month anyway.

As always, thank you for your time and patience.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the factory compressor CAN be used to drive an on-board air system...

but..

it sounds like you intend to use the system pretty extensivly. the pitfall of the factory compressor is it isnt designed for constant running. they tend to overheat and die if taxed. they work great for airing up tires and maybe running an air locker...but for continuous running of air tools, i would get a proper internally lubricated compressor (york) or a dedicated 12v compressor.

if you do use your a/c compressor, you will have to have a shop recover the freon (dumping it into the atmposphere is a BIG EPA no-no). you'll also want to run an inline air-tool oiler on the intake, and a de-oiler on the outlet as the compressor has no internal lubrication of its own and relies on oil in the air (or a/c) system.

 

[oryhara]

My thought was a 10gallon tank, or thereabouts, that way i'm not taxing the duty cycle of the compressor too heavily. and 10 gallon 135psi tanks cost about $20 at sears.

Would it be easier/simpler to use the factory compressor or to install a 12V compressor in the bed?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

a larger tank will just mean the compressor is on for an even longer period. it wont lower the ultimate amount of usage the compressor sees.

id say a 12v compressor is a little easier to install. your pressure switches and fittings are all self-contained....just add a tank and wiring and your done. with the a/c compressor, you need to adapt the hard-lines out of the back of the compressor to fit NPT air fittings (which really isnt THAT hard), plus run all your plumbing from the engine compartment to the tank...which is usually mounted toward the rear of the vehicle. not to mention the required inline oiler and oil seperator, pressure switch, and wiring.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

could always do one of these http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=air+compressor