The H3T ExtremeAire Outback Onboard Air System by Scorpworks

[LagunaH1]

This is probably one of the biggest things I wished my H3 had had. -VERY cool stuff, can't wait to see it in action.

How does the air get from the tank to the tires? I don't suppose there are any plans for a permanent connection along the lines of an H1? Is the air pressure in the tank controlled and automatically replenished by the compressor?

 

[Expendable]

Here's a pic of the compressor and skid plate mounted to the custom crossmember welded brackets (the one on the right is under the skid plate and the one one the left, towards the rear/gas tank, is above)... any guesses why? This fabricator really knows his stuff!

Very clean install and very unique UCP concept for the H3...now Dwaine has started to design a full underbelly UCP to fit like this piece to replace not only the OEM UCP pieces but to completely cover the underbelly without compromising clearance because his UCP will be tucked up and fit between (not below) the crossmembers. This will be an improvement over any existing H3 UCP designed to date but this gives you an idea of what he has in mind.

this is so you have less items that can cause you to get 'hung up' on. if the plate was below near the TCase crossmember that's a hindrance if there is a rock underneath your truck. you would have a flat surface of what appears to be 1/4" thick to stop your forward progress.

 

[SolidusJ]

So is there a kit we can buy from them???? This was my next project.

 

[Bigunit]

How does the air get from the tank to the tires? I don't suppose there are any plans for a permanent connection along the lines of an H1? Is the air pressure in the tank controlled and automatically replenished by the compressor?

Mikkel,
1) The air gets from the tank to the tires via a quick connect air hose to any one of 4 available outlets. More info & pics on that later.

2) The air pressure in the tank is controlled by a check and pressure relief/release valve that is automatically replenished by the compressor as air exits the tank & shuts off and turns on automatically as you use the air. Outback sent Dwaine a first-of-its kind, newly designed Outback pressure relief/release valve for testing on my system. The new proprietary valve has worked flawlessly so far and the system, as a whole, has performed flawlessly as well.

3) As far as a permanent connection to the tires along the lines of the H1's CTIS system, I'm sure Dwaine could design one but I would have to guess that the cost of a CTIS would make it a non-starter, as the H1 CTIS system includes the following:

• They all use some type of wheel valve to each wheel to isolate individual tires to prevent airflow from all tires when one is being checked or inflated.
• They have a method for sensing the tire pressures. This is addressed in most cases with central sensors that relay information to an electronic control unit (ECU) and then to the driver. The ECU sends commands to a pneumatic control unit, which directly controls the wheel valves and air system. The pneumatic control unit also contains a sensor that transmits tire-pressure readings to the ECU.
• There has to be a way to get the air from the air source to the tires, which is usually through the axle by way of either a sealed-hub axle with a hose from the hub to the tire valve or tubes through the axles with the axle acting as a conduit.
• There has to be a pressure relief vent to vent air from each tire without risking damage to the hub or rear-axle seals.
• You would have to use some type of speed sensors. The H1's CTIS also includes a speed sensor that sends vehicle speed information to the ECU so that if the vehicle continues moving at a higher speed for a set period of time, the system automatically inflates the tires to an appropriate pressure for that speed.
• You would have an operator control panel to allow the driver to select tire-pressure modes to match current conditions. This dash-mounted panel displays current tire pressures, selected modes and system status. When the driver selects a tire-pressure setting, signals from the control panel travel to the ECU to the pneumatic control unit to the wheel valves.

 

[Bigunit]

So is there a kit we can buy from them???? This was my next project.

Solid,
Dwaine had talked about making the system available as a kit, but I'll have to ask him where he is with those plans. He's had his plate full for the past 3 months between moving his facility to a new and larger building, working on his military contracts/projects to meet deadlines, his weekly Saturday "Monster Samurai" build time with his grandson of his grandson's offroad beast, to putting up with me, Alex and AzTraveler in designing and fabricating "stuff" and "fixes" for our rigs and for the benefit of anyone who owns an H3.

 

[Bigunit]

Dwaine asked me how many air outlets I wanted. I said 2 (1 accessible from the front bumper & 1 accesible somewhere from the rear of the T OR just 1 outlet accessible from one of the compartments in the bed of the T). Dwaine looked at me and dryly said "Why limit yourself. Let me come up with something." I said "OK, who am I to argue with you?"

So, he ran 4 air lines - 1 to the passenger side, 1 to the driver side, 1 to the front bumper & 1 under the rear bumper to the left of and above the exhaust. The outlets/quick connect fittings on the passenger side and driver side are mounted between and slightly above the frame and rock sliders to keep them well protected from any rocks.

Dwaine's thinking is this: you never know where you will find yourself on a trail, in a line of rigs (behind or in front) or beside other rigs, so if your going to take the the time and expense to design a custom on-board air system, why not add to (rather than limit its) its capabilities to have easy access to the air system from every side. Here are pics of the outlets with quick connect fittings. To keep dirt, water and mud from clogging the fittings, I found that the black rubber tips from a walking cane that you can buy at Ace Hardware, provide a tough, perfect and snug fit.

Front bumper outlet (sorry for the crappy pics). Dwaine fabbed a mount bracket for the hose fitting that bolts under the nut inside the bumper for the offroad light. That outlet mount doesn't move at all and you still have plenty of room for your hand to reach the winch free-spool handle.

Passenger side outlet

Driver side outlet

Rear bumber outlet with custom-made mount bracket bolted to the frame

I have to admit, Dwaine was right. So far, I have used each of the 4 outlets depending on the side that i needed air for my and others rigs.

 

[H3slate]

That is really cool. Looks like there is possibility to damage those outlets on rocks. Are they protected?

Sent from my mobile bat cave using Tapatalk 2

 

[Expendable]

As far as a permanent connection to the tires along the lines of the H1's CTIS system, I'm sure Dwaine could design one but I would have to guess that the cost of a CTIS would make it a non-starter, as the H1 CTIS system includes the following:

• They all use some type of wheel valve to each wheel to isolate individual tires to prevent airflow from all tires when one is being checked or inflated.
• They have a method for sensing the tire pressures. This is addressed in most cases with central sensors that relay information to an electronic control unit (ECU) and then to the driver. The ECU sends commands to a pneumatic control unit, which directly controls the wheel valves and air system. The pneumatic control unit also contains a sensor that transmits tire-pressure readings to the ECU.
• There has to be a way to get the air from the air source to the tires, which is usually through the axle by way of either a sealed-hub axle with a hose from the hub to the tire valve or tubes through the axles with the axle acting as a conduit.
• There has to be a pressure relief vent to vent air from each tire without risking damage to the hub or rear-axle seals.
• You would have to use some type of speed sensors. The H1's CTIS also includes a speed sensor that sends vehicle speed information to the ECU so that if the vehicle continues moving at a higher speed for a set period of time, the system automatically inflates the tires to an appropriate pressure for that speed.
• You would have an operator control panel to allow the driver to select tire-pressure modes to match current conditions. This dash-mounted panel displays current tire pressures, selected modes and system status. When the driver selects a tire-pressure setting, signals from the control panel travel to the ECU to the pneumatic control unit to the wheel valves.

IIRC with the CTIS, when the Wheel Valves are pushed into place the front is one system and the rear another. so that the pressure would equalize between the two. so if you have a leaking ctis valve on the front left, it lets air out from that tire but the right front balances with the left so air is let out of that tire from the left valve.

I do not know how the sensors work measuring tire pressure. I do know the front and rear have separate needles in the gauge.

I have never heard of these speed sensors that send info to the ECU to control the CTIS if the air pressure is too low at the speeds you are maintaining. as well as my Naturally Aspirated Diesel has no ECU (though the TD H1s may have this).

But I am not that knowledgeable in air compressor systems so I very well can be wrong.

 

[RamRod]

Looks great!
Gives me some inspiration for doing that sort of set up on my T

Give us an update if he is going to make that a kit when you get a chance!

Thnx!!

 

[ABNTROOP]

Bump. Kit?

 

[Big2dabank]

That compressor looks very similar to the one I used. Sweet install.

 

[rascole]

Nice, can't believe I missed this thread. If nothing else, just the mounting plate for mounting my own ARB would be nice.