Just bought the MV50 superflow through ebay for 62 shipped. good price! I hope to get on board air operational over the next month!

 

hmm this may add to my list. but trains horns would have to make their way under there also haha

very nice write up though

 

I am going to do this maybe figure a way to cut cost here and there to try and make an affordable auto leveling air suspension deal but if I did this I would probably end up with a train horn under the hood

 

UPDATE - Report

I just wanted to update.

I have had this system installed for about 2.5 years now. The only thing at all in the way mainteance is that I replaced the quick connect on the rear bumper twice. I probably could have lubed it a little or something but it's pretty quick and easy to unscrew and replace.

Once about every 24-48 hours...... when I get in to start the truck.... the compressor will kick on to pressure up the system (about 45 sec or so). It's been like this since day one. I like it because it lets me know that everything is working.

Uses so far:
- At 5am I was backing down a boat launch when someone told me it looked like I had a flat on a trailer tire. I thanked him and pulled out, parked and went hunting. About 11am when I got back to the truck, I grabbed my air hose...plugged into the bumper.... put some air in the suspect tire.... located the leak.... grabbed the plug kit out of the truck and plugged the tire. Finished airing the tire and it is still on the trailer today after about 30 or more trips.

- Had some eve damage on my house. A friend let me borrow a small nail gun to hang the replacement eve plywood, etc. Backed the truck up.... plugged it into my bumper and finished the job. Huge since nailing bouncing lumber upside down is not my strong suit.

- Other than that.... mainly general tire maintenance for the truck, lawn mower, trailer, etc. and airing up toys for the nephew, etc.

- Several times I've been able to help someone on the road with a low tire. Even if the tire has a leak and need repari/replacement ..... I can get them down the road without having to get the spare ou of the side of the road/interstate.

Oh......... and my son that thought I was half idiot half maniac when I put it in....... begged for a pump like mine for Christmas the next year. He installed an almost identical system in his GMC Sierra Z71.

 

If you buy another male end, screw a plug into it and stick it into your quick connect at you rear bumper it should help keep the debris out and reduce your maintenance on the quick connect. They also make rubber 'covers' for the quick connects that might help you out too.

We have the same setup on our fire trucks so I understand what you're saying about replacing yours. Try finding the rubber cover or making the 'plug' to stick in it.

 

I had the supply nipple on the bumper pointing down. This avoided any crap from settling in the connector..............just when you need it not to be clogged.

 

I know this is a little old, but how loud is the compressor from both in and out of the cab and how long does it take to fully pressurize the 3 gallon tank from empty? Does it have enough capability to operate an impact wrench?

 

This project is almost 6 years old. This is hands down the best project I have ever done and I will never drive another vehicle without an air system.

I am still running the same MV-50 compressor without issue. I did add a Bodyguard bumper and had to have a new bracket hung for my rear quick connect (I used a trailer light bracket). Other than that everything is as installed.

A week or 2 ago I tried to air up a flat tractor tire (these tires only take 10-15psi but the tires are huge and it takes a lot of air to get them to 10-15psi from flat). In the process I melted a fuse in the fuse holder in the main power line from the battery going to the relay. I think there was a problem with the relay or fuse holder. Anyway, I replaced both and all is good.

I use this compressor just about weekly mostly to air tires but also to blow out debris in parts, etc. I even used it to run a nail gun making a repair on the soffit of my house.

As far as the question about the noise in cab:
Normally you are not in the cab when it's running. You are outside using the air. If you are in the cab, there is some noise. You definitely hear it. But it only runs for a minute or so to charge the system and you will not hear it again until you use it a have a pressure drop to 85psi or less. If you have no leaks and your system stays pressured........... you won't hear it until you use it or cause a pressure drop on the system. I fixed a couple of minor leaks I had and now with the system stays pressured extremely well. I may drive for days or even 1-2 weeks and never hear it until I eventually plug the hose in and use some air. Basically............ noise is not an issue it's so infrequent. You only hear it when us use it.

 

Good article. How about some pictures?

FYI a burnt fuse holder (or any other electrical contact) usually indicates a loose or dirty connection. Those cause a high resistance and current flowing through it causing heating (I^2 *R). The hotter it gets, the worse the resistance and it causes a run away condition until the plastic around the connection melts. Manufacturers like to use aluminium or steel today due to cheap costs but I try to always find bulbs, sockets, etc that are made of brass instead. Aluminium and steel both corrode too easily for automotive electrical use IMO.

 

I greatly appreciated this article. Soon after replying to it i went ahead and installed a system with the same compressor as you, but had to mount it in my toolbox since on the 10th gen F150s there is no room under the hood. It was the best thing i ever did to my truck. It was so useful. The airhorn was handy as well. Unfortunately my system died since i killed the compressor and couldn't replace it or repair it to work well enough.(i killed the compressor by continually attempting to push it further till one day i worked it much too long and the bearing fell apart destroying the piston seal and more) The truck is no longer worth putting the money in it to have a functional system, but as soon as i get a better truck the first mod i do after lights and siren will be on board air. I will more than likely invest in a 100% duty cycle viair and a bigger tank, but the mv works just fine.

 

If you want the ultimate continuous duty air compressor ......... this is the man: http://aircompressors.oasismfg.com/v...r-compressors?

It ain't cheap but I don't think you will ever out work it.

Thanks for the comments!!