Mobile Air Compressor & Van

[techsmart]

I better say hi first being new to this forum, how are you all doing.

I am about to start my own business next year doing Smart Repair and was going to ask you for some advise please, what would be the best way to securely fix a compressor to that back of my van and have complete confidence that it will not move in an accident if that was ever to happen, and where would be the safest place to put the compressor in the van

I had one idea which involve welding some metal brackets in the back of the van floor, and then using some heavy duty bolts to lock down the compressor to the welded bracket, please be aware I now sod all about welding, sorry.

Or the simple idea involve is to just tie up the compressor to the bullhead.

Any ideas, or solution to this problem are welcome.

The compressor I have is a Sealey


The Compressor: is a Sealey 50ltr V-Twin Direct Drive 3hp



The Van: peugeot Partner 800

 

[the snooper]

you need anti vibration pads they are rubber mounts that will bolt through the floor and compressor otherwise the van will amplify the noise.

you could always use a big ratchet strap to secure it properly when not in use

 

[techsmart]

you need anti vibration pads they are rubber mounts that will bolt through the floor and compressor otherwise the van will amplify the noise.

you could always use a big ratchet strap to secure it properly when not in use

Good idea, I did not even think about the vibration side of thing.

 

[the snooper]

how will you power the compressor ?

 

[MonsterLandrover]

put it as far forward as you can. Should you have a head on collision, it wont come forward!

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the forum.

I'd be inclined to bolt brackets to the floor with spreader plates underneath, especially if you can't weld!

Also it would look neater when you remove the compressor and sell the van.

 

[p0689109]

You could take the wheels off and then mount it on a subframe so that it could be removed from the van as and when req'd. This would also allow you to add a couple of tie down eyes to the subframe to allow you to strap it down in the van. You can buy the strap down eyes that are fitted to some vans/lorries and bolt them at strong points in the van to which the subframe could mount. As mentioned earlier as far forward as possible for safety. Use anti vib mounts compressor to subframe and spreader plates to mounting ties as mentioned.

 

[techsmart]

put it as far forward as you can. Should you have a head on collision, it wont come forward!

That is what I was thinking, if I put it next to the bulkhead it has that for support, and then I can place the compressor in the centre of the van to get good weight distribution. But I am still stuck on what I should do about attaching the unit to the back of the van, I'm not to sure I want to start drilling holes in the floor just in case I hit a brake line, or fuel line, would welding brackets in place be a good idea.

 

[p0689109]

For safety sake there is no easy way to mount that sort of weight without having some sort of strong points and if the van has not got them then they will have to be fitted one way or other.

 

[techsmart]

You could take the wheels off and then mount it on a subframe so that it could be removed from the van as and when req'd. This would also allow you to add a couple of tie down eyes to the subframe to allow you to strap it down in the van. You can buy the strap down eyes that are fitted to some vans/lorries and bolt them at strong points in the van to which the subframe could mount. As mentioned earlier as far forward as possible for safety. Use anti vib mounts compressor to subframe and spreader plates to mounting ties as mentioned.

Not a bad idea.

 

[techsmart]

For safety sake there is no easy way to mount that sort of weight without having some sort of strong points and if the van has not got them then they will have to be fitted one way or other.

From what I know about the van design there are 4 strong points in the van, Bulkhead, and then 3 tie down points, front, middle, and back. the van can take 800Kg in weight if that is any help.

 

[Robotstar5]

How are you going to power it? We've banned smart repairers from plugging in to our sockets at work after 2 different ones tripped circuit breakers due to overloading.

 

[dannyp]

engine driven FTW

no extension leads, trip hazzards or p*****g customers off with leads also you can have more power than extension lead would allow

 

[Robotstar5]

engine driven FTW

What's an FTW?

 

[the snooper]

What's an FTW?

at a guess it could be a engine driven welder dont know what the FT bit could be though.

any generator that can power the 3hp compressor will need to be a big one as the start up inrush current is something like 40 amps very briefly.

i dont think any small engine driven welder will give more power then an extention lead they arnt designed to

 

[MonsterLandrover]

Lol! Us young uns have got you! It stands for: For The Win.

 

[the snooper]

Lol! Us young uns have got you! It stands for: For The Win.

that doesnt make sense from dannys post

 

[hotrodder]

Engine driven 'for the win' = engine driven is a better choice for the reasons given. Makes sense to me

Is the van 'owned outright' or is it a lease etc?
If a compressor (or other kit) is permantly fitted is it classed as a modification by insurance? I would have thought probably yes whereas a fabricated 'subframe' for the compressor that makes it easier to secure it using existing tie downs etc wouldn't be?

 

[Chipper]

To a biker "FTW" means 'F the world'...

Would think that comp is poss overkill for small low-demand guns and small repairs, and there's the noise of direct drives. Would've thought a smaller "silent" type comp would be more the thing, but no idea what the pros actually use though.

Bloke does occasional jobs round here with a neat van setup, mixing scheme accessed by side door. The whole lot must take some sorting, to stop it all flying about. Seems to use mains power, which'd suit a smaller comp too.

 

[rtbcomp]

The mobile bloke who fitted my tyres had an engine driven compressor fixed in the back of his van. Proper exhaust to the outside.