Compressed air to run engine.

[Lazy-Ferret]

We were having one of those silly conversations the other day, which went along the lines of this...

Me... In the Hummer, it has a built in compressor, and as we started to go off road, the driver lowered the tyre pressure while still driving, and then when we went back onto the tarmac, he flicked a switch, and re-pumped the tyres back up.
Friend... Wow, I wonder how they get the air to the tyres...
Me... No idea...
Friend... Hummers!! I saw a video on YouTube where they drove one of those right under the water, and all you could see was bubbles from his exhaust to let you know where he was.
Me.... he must have had a Snorkel for the air intake sticking up as well...
Friend... No, nothing, you could not see it at all.

Anyway that got us thinking, if the car had a compressor, and an air storage tank, would it be possible to store enough air to allow the engine to run for say 10 mins while under water?

How much air do engines actually use?

 

[jims-terrano]

Stop giving Alex ideas :lol

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Stop giving Alex ideas :lol

sent from my phone, sorry for any typo's.

 

[rayf3262]

at mid to hi rpm's it's going to be using around 1000 liters per minute!
So a 12L diving cylinder fully charged to around 232 Bar is going to last about 3 minutes...
Jet skis have a flap that closes the air intake off when underwater and the engine uses the air stored in the plenum chamber, but that only good for a short time.

 

[Fez_uk]

Hummer would of had a snorkel for sure, He probably means this vid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7gZ28Msa8g

They also have a hub designed with a airline that goes through it which can allow you to lower/higher the pressure in the tyres as you drive.

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

at mid to hi rpm's it's going to be using around 1000 liters per minute!
So a 12L diving cylinder fully charged to around 232 Bar is going to last about 3 minutes...
Jet skis have a flap that closes the air intake off when underwater and the engine uses the air stored in the plenum chamber, but that only good for a short time.

Wooah.... I had no idea it was as much as that...

Hmmm, so basically, it's possible but a bit on the dodgy side. Not sure I fancy three and a half thousand PSI sitting in a tank under the rear seat.:doh

 

[jims-terrano]

What about an air supply for occupants too and ealing off all the electrics. Nah stick with a terrano with snork

 

[rayf3262]

Not sure I fancy three and a half thousand PSI sitting in a tank under the rear seat.:doh

I used to dive with the same same on my back!

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Hummer would of had a snorkel for sure, He probably means this vid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7gZ28Msa8g

They also have a hub designed with a airline that goes through it which can allow you to lower/higher the pressure in the tyres as you drive.

That guy is a nutter!! and like you say, he has a snorkel.

I have no idea what the video my friend was talking about, I get the feeling it was a long time ago.

Interesting about the air through the wheel, the seal where the wheel rotates must take a lot of wear. If it was on the T2, it would be like, replace the drop links, and the air valve MOT is due:lol

What about an air supply for occupants too and ealing off all the electrics. Nah stick with a terrano with snork

Yeah, not sure starting with a Terrano would be a good place.

I used to dive with the same same on my back!

I never realised it was such a huge pressure.

 

[jims-terrano]

Flying inverted at 8,000 feet is far more fun:lol

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Flying inverted at 8,000 feet is far more fun:lol

Now who's trying to give Alex ideas for his truck? :lol:lol

 

[AlexD333]

I love being mentioned, even if it is for the wrong reasons. :lol

 

[The Patrolman]

Alex, i reckon all you would need is a baloon(Large)full of air and a bit of gaffa tape around the doors and you may be able to do it for sure.
Go on give it a go:thumb2

No really Don't:naughty

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Alex, i reckon all you would need is a baloon(Large)full of air and a bit of gaffa tape around the doors and you may be able to do it for sure.
Go on give it a go:thumb2

No really Don't:naughty

Is that to fly upside down at 8000 feet, or to drive under water? :augie

 

[The Patrolman]

Is that to fly upside down at 8000 feet, or to drive under water? :augie

Either way we want pics please:thumb2

 

[kitchenman]

When I was in the army we used to start the radar generators with compressed air, and the DUKW's had a way to alter tyre pressure, that was early 60's

 

[firebobby]

Wooah.... I had no idea it was as much as that...

Hmmm, so basically, it's possible but a bit on the dodgy side. Not sure I fancy three and a half thousand PSI sitting in a tank under the rear seat.:doh

The BA sets we use in the fire service have cylinders that are charged to 300 bar :augie