Compressed Air Car - Honda Air Compressor

Honda, aside from making their cars good shapes, participates to design challenges like that from the Los Angeles Auto Show, presenting their compressed-air Honda Air.

Weighing under 454 kilos (1,000 lbs), the Honda Air is run by a compressed air motor, with the energy held inside compressed air in pressurized tanks. It’s “programmed” to have an autonomy of around 100 miles and has a pneumatic regulator system.

Concepts like turbo-vacuums and the usage of external air flow to regenerate the tank pressure (probably during braking) contribute to the 100 miles of driving. The car won’t have specialized tanks placed beneath the driver. The chassis will play the role of a tank, fact which reduced the overall weight.

The preoccupation for greenness has led Honda to build the body panels from vegetable-based polymers. Hubless wheels and drive systems, glass reinforced seating panels and tires from urethane and also skeletal sub-frame components also reduce the car’s weight and give significant power savings.

The best part about driving a compressed-air car is that you don’t need special fillers and gas stations; the nearest tire repair shop is good, as is the air compressor Honda provides the car with. Nice, isn’t it?

There have been several models powered by compressed air in the past, with very ingenious engines, but they failed due to a number of reasons, among which was the body weight that led to inefficiency. Let’s hope Honda’s experience and engineers will make air cars possible.

10 Top Tips for Air Compressor Maintenance

ow that you've invested in an air compressor to run all of your air tools you're going to have to learn how to keep it up and running. Because the standard handyman's air compressors don't typically require daily upkeep, it's easy to forget about them and neglect their upkeep. This can be a costly oversight so it's vital for you to keep an eye on the following maintenance tips.

Maintenance Tip 1: Read and Follow Your Air Compressor's Manual

Nothing stops an air compressor faster than an owner who doesn't read the owner's manual. There's going to be some simple tips in there for you that will help you to get a nice long life out of your air compressor - simple stuff for you to do that you would never have thought to do unless you read it. Plus, if you don't follow the rules in your air compressor manual there's a chance that you'll void your warranty. That in itself should be enough of an incentive to read the "flipping" manual.

Maintenance Tip 2: Drain The Moisture From The Tanks

The receiver tank collects moisture from the air that it's compressing - especially if you live in a humid climate. Most tanks have a valve for draining this moisture that accumulates and it's up to you to make sure that these are drained regularly. Before draining the water you should be sure to release the air pressure from the tanks.

Maintenance Tip 3: Clean Intake Vents

If you force your air compressor to work too hard to intake air you're losing power on your compression. This will gradually degrade the quality of your tool. Be sure to keep your intake vent as clean as possible and check them regularly especially if you're working in a dusty or dirty environment.

Maintenance Tip 4: Tighten All Fasteners

Your air compressor's a running, vibrating engine and it will loosen its screws, nuts and bolts on a regular basis. Be sure to check these periodically and tighten them up if you find any that have jiggled loose.

Maintenance Tip 5: Check Hoses Regularly

Check all your hoses periodically as they are the veins of your air compressor. If they become cracked or corroded they could soon begin to leak and then put undue strain on the rest of your compressor's components. Be sure to check them and replace them if you find them cracked or damaged.

Maintenance Tip 6: Test the Safety Shutdown System

Your air compressor may have a built in safety shut down. The function of this system is to shut off your compressor if it's getting too hot, or if the engine's oil pressure is too low. This test will help you ensure a longer lasting compressor.

Maintenance Tip 7: Check and Change Air Filters As Needed

A filthy air filter is only hurting your air compressor by allowing dirty air from the outside in, plus forcing it to work harder to intake air. Check your filters regularly and change them if you notice a heavy build up of dust and dirt. Change every six months or so if you use it infrequently.

Maintenance Tip 8: Clean the Fuel Tank

As with any engine you need to periodically clean out the fuel tank to ensure optimal operating conditions. You should look to clean out the engine on your air compressor once every year or so to remove any residual build up from the fuel. This will preserve the life of your engine.

Maintenance Tip 9: Check and Change the Compressor Oil

If you're running a compressor that uses oil you should be checking it on a daily basis to make sure that your machine is topped off. Then, every 500-1000 hours of use you should be changing this oil to ensure maximum functioning of your air compressor.

Maintenance Tip 10: Change the Separator Element

The separator element prevents the excessive use of oil, but it has to be replace periodically. Keep your compressor in top condition by replacing the separator element every 1,000 hours of operation.

Maintenance Tip 11: Clean the Heat Exchangers

By following the tips above you'll ensure a nice long life for your air compressor, plus the jobs that you use it for will go faster and more productively. A well maintained air compressor is a wonderful machine for any job site or workshop, so keep yours running smoothly.

Data logging is one of the keys to getting real energy savings from compressed air.

Mattei general manager Andy Jones believes that many plants are operating with inefficient or unsuitable compressors, and says that data logging can help sort the wheat from the chaff.

"Data logging is the best way to identify whether changes to the system or investment in new equipment can result in energy savings," says Jones. "This is why Mattei always recommends them to any customers who are planning to upgrade or change their systems – so they can be confident they are doing the right thing."

And he adds: "We have seen a number of cases where data logging can result in significant energy and financial savings. Recently, one customer saw an annual saving of £26,000, following a data logging exercise which identified that two compressors installed could be replaced with new more efficient machines, with a payback of just two years."

Jones also makes the point that, in some cases, data logging reveals inappropriate compressor replacement projects, which means "the customer doesn't spend money unnecessarily".

And he indicates that the process also identifies variable speed compressors might have a place, because of their ability to save energy where there are peaks and troughs in air demand.

"We often hear that companies feel they can't afford to replace a compressor but, with the potential for very high savings, we believe businesses should consider the long-term. Perhaps they can't really afford not to change them," comments Jones.

Video on how to set up an air compressor. Good installation tips

Helpful video here about installing your vertical compressor.

Bambi HT Oil Free Quiet Air Compressors

This little beast is compact, portable, sturdy and gutsy. Fantastic for when you need a staple- or nail-gun with added oomph, the Bambi HT Oil Free Range are ideal for tradesmen working on site. It comes with a twin cylinder high speed pump, and boasts superb air flow with wholly oil-free air even at high pressures. The air receiver is very cleverly designed, functioning as a frame with an integral grab-handle.



With noise not exceeding 59dB, this air compressor is quieter than many in its size and power range. It can run most staple- and nail-guns and can be used to supply compressed air to range of other machinery and installations. The Bambi HT3-2P comes with a quick-release bayonet-type fitting and an output pressure gauge. Weighing in at just 10kg, it delivers a maximum pressure of 8bar.

Compressed Air Forum, Questions, and Help

If you ever have a question about compressed air, there is now a place online to get the answer. Remember to check out the compressed air questions and answers help forum on the Air Supplies (Nottingham) forum.

Compressed Air Forum Help and Advice

There are loads of questions about compressed air already listed on the forum frequently asked questions page, so check it out.

California's new Tire Pressure Law to save 75 Million gallons of fuel a year

New laws governing accurate tire pressure are being introduced in California in a bid to increase fuel efficiency and road safety.

The impending legislation gives weight to Obama's claim during the elections that maintaining the right tire pressure could prevent the expansion of offshore drilling.

California's new tire regulations will become effective by law in July 2010, stipulating that all tire inflators must deliver inflation to an accuracy of +/- 2psi. A move that the California Air Resources Board believes could save 75 million gallons of fuel per year.

As a world-leading provider of top quality, cost-effective and reliable, tire inflation for over 72 years, PCL is already geared up to provide California with products designed to meet new regulations.

All products in PCL's comprehensive range of tyre inflators meet the California requirements as standard. Each inflator is tested and individually certified to show the accuracy delivered at the time of manufacture, and carries a full 12 month performance and accuracy guarantee.


Simon Shorter, Director PCL, said: "As an international provider of tyre inflation equipment we see it as our duty to educate drivers about the necessity of maintaining accurate tire pressure, with road safety and the environment of paramount importance, and with the additional benefit of extending tire life. We hope that other US states will join California by introducing this legislation. If 75 million gallons of fuel can be saved each year in just one state, imagine what could be achieved if the whole of the US followed suit. Providing the right equipment is available, it really is a simple step to make such a huge difference to the environment."

PCL's products are a familiar sight in gas stations, tire shops, car dealerships and transport depots throughout the world, and all are manufactured to meet the requirements of relevant quality standards and stringent approvals.

A quite amuzing artilce about air compressors! Ana VS The Air Compressor

About a lady called ANA and her air compressor. Worth a read!

Ana Vs Air Compressors

Another compressed air bike!

These compressed air bikes seem to very popular at the moment!

BIG Compressor, BIG Sound!

Check out the size of this air compressor! Don't forget your ear plugs.

Air Supplies is the UK's leading supplier of air compressors and air tools. They have an extensive range of compressed air tools and compressors and are always on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Please check out the full range of air compressors here:

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