Using truck as air compressor

Most tire shops run around 150 psi. In the past I carried a 1” impact with a big hose running directly from the tank. I could change a tire but spent a lot of time waiting for the compressor to build back up.

I have since switched to a 3/4 drive cordless impact. With the advancements in cordless impacts, there is no reason to use air anymore.

 

I was reading something a few years ago where guys were using large external tanks on pick up trucks too. Letting the truck's compressor fill it up but at that point I couldn't help but to think a cheap 5 gallon compressor could essentially do the same thing while leaving the tractor out of the mix entirely.

 

If you get the 3/4 cordless Impact I HIGHLY recommend getting eat plugs…. The uggha, uggha, clacka, clacka, Tinga-winga really pierces into your skull.

 

For limited use, a 1/2 will due. I recently removed 40 lug nuts on 1 battery. But I also know they were hand torqued to 450lbs when installed.

I would not recommend a 1/2 for everyday use on tires.

 

The truck will only generate so much air volume and air pressure. To operate an air impact wrench it needs all of the truck's maximium air pressure and will use up the truck's volume of air in seconds, as you noticed. You are not going to get more air pressure or air volume by just tapping into a different spot in the truck air system.

As was suggested you would be better to buy a battery-powered impact wrench and recharge it from the truck power inverter or truck 12 volt electrical system. If for some reasons you must use an air impact wrench, you need to get an air tank and charge it from your truck system. Power your wrench from the auxiliary air tank.

 

Matlack used double [4cyl] air compressors in order to blow off product.

It got the job done where a normal 2cyl didn't.

Good volume plant air was still quicker...

Everyone is correct it is a supply problem. One shop had a tennant doing diesel engine rebuilds and when we replaced the ancient piston compressor witn a new Sulair screw compressor he did less hand work breaking loose main bearing bolts, etc.

In addition to the larger compressor, the tank was 4x as big.

 

I have both 1/2 & 3/4. It's nice have 2 batteries. They actually make a big 1" cordless M18 impact it's real pricey tho.

 

My 18V Makita impact gun out does my 20v DeWalt...Then I got the brushless 18v Makita and it runs 1000 RPMs more than the older unit with authority.

 

Like everyone before me has mentioned, electric impacts have come a long way. Me personally, I use air. I have a 1/2" fitting installed on my air tank that's mounted right between the cab and fifth wheel, holds about 8 gallons, and a 50' 1/2" hose to reach to the trailer. Supplies enough air to my 1" impact gun to loosen up at least 4-5 of the nuts before having to refill air tank. Most gladhand lines are 3/8" which is too small diameter to get enough air to the impact gun (it's also why it takes seemingly forever to air up tires with an inflator chuck), you need high volume of air at least 90 psi to get good results out of a pneumatic impact gun with a 3/4" or 1" drive, hence the 1/2" hose connected to the air tank directly.

I had considered an electric impact at some point, but for me it's more convenient with the air setup for the road, if I have a flat, I have the impact gun and air/hydraulic bottle jack, and the inflator chuck as well. No more road service calls for me.

 

We have the 37.4 CFM compressor on our trucks and just due to the air tank size and lines you still have to give it a little bit between runs. But it's 100% doable. We also carry a "nut buddy" for the ones that our 1 inch won't take off.