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Air compressor storage

SCUBAW

Rank IV
Member

Enthusiast II

Hello everyone. I am looking for ideas on how to store my air compressor. After airing up, the compressor gets super hot and wants to melt everything it touches. Anyone ever heard of some storage bag that won't melt and be able to protect anything that gets near the compressor?
 

Advocate III

Depending on the size of compressor you could try and find some sort of hard case and mount the compressor in it. My compressor came with a bag but I usually und up having to wait a bit before I pack it up ( especially since someone else usually needs to borrow it too lol). The other option it to hard mount the compressor under the hood with a line leading to somewhere that is easy to access. Then you would just need to connect a line and roll it up when you done.
 

12C20

Rank V
Launch Member

Trail Mechanic II

My Viair just sits in my bed, between the tailgate and my Decked drawers. With the gate closed and locked, it’s impossible to pull it out.
 

trail_runn4r

US Rocky Mtn. Local Expert. Colorado: Denver Area
Member

Pathfinder III

I have a Viair 300p, it gets hot but not that hot to melt through plastic/fabric. I use a heavy duty canvas tool bag, no issues.
 

Alanymarce

Rank IV

Trail Mechanic III

It sounds as if it's under-rated for the job. We carry a small compressor on local travel which is used only for inflating a tyre after repairing a puncture (a few times in the last 20 years);. On "big trips" we carry a bigger compressor, used principally for airing up after sand, which requires more energy and time. It has never over-heated, certainly not more than getting warm - we put it back in its bag and carry on.

So, some good suggestions above, however I'd consider a bigger compressor, and if you stick with the same one, let it cool down and/or carry it in a metal box with thermal isolation inside.
 

pluton

Rank IV

Member I

My 1999 Quick Air (sadly out of business) came in it's own metal box. I can put it away immediately after using, although I'm cautious about the nylon coiled hose touching it when it's hot.
If I replace it someday with an uncased unit, I will mount it in a pelican-type plastic or a metal case of some kind. The case keeps it clean also.
 

MOAK

Rank V
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

We use the viair 300, it gets warm after airing up all four tires, but it cools off in a few minutes and I put it back in the bag it came in. While waiting on it to cool down is a good time to give your vehicle and trailer the once over by inspecting your undercarriage, checking your fluids, feeling for hot tires and wheel bearings, looking for leaks, organizing your stuff, cleaning the windshield, etc etc. If you are confident everything is in order and no need for inspection then just sit and stew for a few minutes. ( )
 

Mr_Mnml_Engnr

Rank IV
Member

Pathfinder III

OP, if you’re serious about your compressor getting hot enough to melt things, I’d seriously consider getting a new one. It sounds like you might be pushing it past its limits.

Are you using it to just air up after the trails and air up a mattress? How are you using it?
 

Rubicajon

Rank VI
Launch Member
Member

Creator III

Same as above with our Viair kept in an ammo can.

However I have switched over to a Co2 set up recently.
 

hrichard

Rank V

Off-Road Ranger III

I have the NAPA branded compressor, it has been modified to work with standard air chucks, quick connect power cable, etc, and it fits in the bag it came with still. I haven't had a problem with it getting so hot it melts the bag, but generally it only runs for short bursts because I use a portable air tank as a "ping" tank with it so that it isnt constantly cycling while airing up tires. I added a pressure switch to it, which was a great improvement, but it builds more air than a shrader valve can handle, so with just a short air hose and chuck it short cycles constantly. Great compressor for the money though, especially if you are handy enough to watch a youtube video and fix its short comings
 
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