Air compressor recommendation

[Jasalvas]

Pulled the trigger on the Viair 400p. Wife got home and said... What is a portable compressor and why do you need one!?!

I really wanted the ARB on board but could not justify paying $500 for something I would use once or twice a year. Viair had good reviews and should fit the bill.

I appreciate all the feedback received on the thread! I'll post again when it gets some use.


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[Redsoxx1918]

I got the VIAIR 85p on Amazon for $49.95. Very small, nice carry bag, quiet and works well. Aired down to 20psi for some beach driving and it took, maybe, 3 minutes per tire to air back up.


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[MTN4RNR]

ARB Single - Slee Bracket

Just installed my single ARB on the new Slee off-road bracket. It should be more than enough to air up after a day of wheeling, and it left plenty of extra space under the hood (and on the Slee bracket) for other accessories. I might use the extra space on the bracket for a Switch-Pro or Bussman panel.

 

[nb rob]

I picked up the large smittybuilt from the local 4wp, with a 3 year warrantee for $20.
It was recommended on 2 occasions. Now I see why;
It's unbelievably fast.

The downside is the proprietary fittings. I'd much prefer the ARB inflator chuck.
But 5.65 cfm- unreal.

 

[kwill]

I really like ViAir products. Very solid and good value. I have a portable that moved into my daughter's Jeep when I got a 1/2 price deal on a big 480P and mounted it under the hood.

 

[Cymon]

Amazon.com: MasterFlow MF-1050 Air Compressor: Automotive

This is what I use. 60 bucks and i/ve used it at least a couple dozen times with no issues. Comes with a bag.

I've been using this one as well, pep boys for about $50. Works well, fast enough for my needs, compact and has the bag as mentioned.

 

[Jasalvas]

Just installed my single ARB on the new Slee off-road bracket. It should be more than enough to air up after a day of wheeling, and it left plenty of extra space under the hood (and on the Slee bracket) for other accessories. I might use the extra space on the bracket for a Switch-Pro or Bussman panel.

I clearly didn't do enough research and didn't think of the single tank ARB... [emoji848]... I think I'll go on board instead!

I like the idea of having the compressor on board and not having to remember to pack or worry about the room taken up in the back with the portable. Besides... You never know when you can use it to help someone else out who's in a pinch...
Just think... Your driving along the road and come across a car pulled over on the side of the road... What if it was... Shakira!?! How impressed would she be if you lift the hood, start up the compressor, un-line the hose and aired up her low tire... #stud.


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[Jasalvas]

I picked up the large smittybuilt from the local 4wp, with a 3 year warrantee for $20.
It was recommended on 2 occasions. Now I see why;
It's unbelievably fast.

The downside is the proprietary fittings. I'd much prefer the ARB inflator chuck.
But 5.65 cfm- unreal.

Was this a used compressor? Portable?


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[nb rob]

Was this a used compressor? Portable?


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It was a brand new portable compressor- I can remember the price, but the warrantee was $20, not the compressor. My post may have been misleading.

It's the same one Ron linked in post #36.

Originally it was my intention to avoid smittybilt, but with the warrantee I feel pretty good about it, and I'm usually with other people and other compressors lately. Price vs performance; it's impressive. Longevitity remains to be seen, but the fact that it's portable should help a bit in that department.

 

[nevada]

I picked up the large smittybuilt from the local 4wp, with a 3 year warrantee for $20.
It was recommended on 2 occasions. Now I see why;
It's unbelievably fast.

The downside is the proprietary fittings. I'd much prefer the ARB inflator chuck.
But 5.65 cfm- unreal.

yep, they are an amazing compressor. I recommend them every chance I get.

the first thing I did was swap out the air chuck. I use a euro style locking chuck. MUCH better.

It was a brand new portable compressor- I can remember the price, but the warrantee was $20, not the compressor. My post may have been misleading.

It's the same one Ron linked in post #36.

Originally it was my intention to avoid smittybilt, but with the warrantee I feel pretty good about it, and I'm usually with other people and other compressors lately. Price vs performance; it's impressive. Longevitity remains to be seen, but the fact that it's portable should help a bit in that department.

ive had mine for a bit now, and used it quite a bit. still working great.

 

[HerT4R]

[MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION] and I just installed my compressor last week. IMO this is the best way to go about it. Super clean install and takes up very minimal room. The [MENTION=125603]bandi[/MENTION] mount worked out perfect. We installed the air line chuck inside the front bumper so it's easy to get to. I have a black vinyl plug to cover up the chuck to keep debris out of it. Here are a couple pics.

ARB Dual Air Compressor
Viair 1g tank
Bandi mount

did you have to run a pressure switch?

I am having a hard time figuring out if there is an internal pressure switch on the ARB dual compressor.

Also which side of the air tank are you pulling off? the passenger side? the firewall side?

I am about to hook this up if i can. Also where did you buy that hose from the ARB to the tank? amazon? link?

 

[Engineer]

did you have to run a pressure switch?

I am having a hard time figuring out if there is an internal pressure switch on the ARB dual compressor.

Also which side of the air tank are you pulling off? the passenger side? the firewall side?

I am about to hook this up if i can. Also where did you buy that hose from the ARB to the tank? amazon? link?

There is a pressure switch internal, cant help you with the rest as I didn't run a tank. Good luck with the install

 

[RiDE]

did you have to run a pressure switch?

I am having a hard time figuring out if there is an internal pressure switch on the ARB dual compressor.

Also which side of the air tank are you pulling off? the passenger side? the firewall side?

I am about to hook this up if i can. Also where did you buy that hose from the ARB to the tank? amazon? link?

Yes the ARB has a pressure switch. There's a 175psi safety pressure valve on the tank.

Not sure what you mean about which side I'm "pulling off" of the tank but it really doesn't matter. You can run the line from compressor to any of the ports on the tank.

Hose:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YC5IG0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

fittings:
https://www.amazon.com/Viair-90005-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AEC1BD54NCB0E85Q8J1Z

 

[HerT4R]

Yes the ARB has a pressure switch. There's a 175psi safety pressure valve on the tank.

Not sure what you mean about which side I'm "pulling off" of the tank but it really doesn't matter. You can run the line from compressor to any of the ports on the tank.

Hose:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YC5IG0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

fittings:
https://www.amazon.com/Viair-90005-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AEC1BD54NCB0E85Q8J1Z

Thanks!

Is there a reason you didnt go with an inline check valve hose? i was looking and there are some options with check valve, without check valve, and then the swivel fitting, i need to go through my arb kit again but i do not believe it has a swivel (unless i totally missed it and the one in your pic is a solid elbow, and NOT a swivel).

Oh goodness i know what i am doing tonight: inventory, pictures, and planning. thank you guys for all the continued help even though i feel like a newbie in this endeavor.

 

[MisplacedTexan]

Thanks!

Is there a reason you didnt go with an inline check valve hose? i was looking and there are some options with check valve, without check valve, and then the swivel fitting, i need to go through my arb kit again but i do not believe it has a swivel (unless i totally missed it and the one in your pic is a solid elbow, and NOT a swivel).

Oh goodness i know what i am doing tonight: inventory, pictures, and planning. thank you guys for all the continued help even though i feel like a newbie in this endeavor.

I'm running a pretty similar setup to his, and skipped the check valve myself. I didn't really see a need for it. But if you want a check valve it won't hurt anything. Just make sure you don't install it backwards.

I used the same line he linked to and it has a swivel fitting on one end and the other is a non-swivel(static?) fitting. If it didnt have at least one swivel you wouldn't be able to screw in both ends.

 

[RiDE]

Thanks!

Is there a reason you didnt go with an inline check valve hose? i was looking and there are some options with check valve, without check valve, and then the swivel fitting, i need to go through my arb kit again but i do not believe it has a swivel (unless i totally missed it and the one in your pic is a solid elbow, and NOT a swivel).

Oh goodness i know what i am doing tonight: inventory, pictures, and planning. thank you guys for all the continued help even though i feel like a newbie in this endeavor.

I didn't run a check valve because i felt there was no need for one. The Viar hose does swivel on one end. Not sure if it came with 90 degree swivel end or if I bought one seperately. But i have a 90 degree swivel elbow off the compressor that threads on one end of the viar hose then into the tank.

 

[Jeremy556]

Thanks!

Is there a reason you didnt go with an inline check valve hose? i was looking and there are some options with check valve, without check valve, and then the swivel fitting, i need to go through my arb kit again but i do not believe it has a swivel (unless i totally missed it and the one in your pic is a solid elbow, and NOT a swivel).

Oh goodness i know what i am doing tonight: inventory, pictures, and planning. thank you guys for all the continued help even though i feel like a newbie in this endeavor.

You only need the check valve between a compressor and the rest of the system to prevent the compressor starting under pressure. The ARBs will have one between each of the compressors and their manifold.

 

[DRO-T4R]

Warning: dumb question coming....

I've done some searching (here and elsewhere), and am still not 100% clear - what's the primary purpose of an on-board compressor setup?? Is it mainly for re-inflating tires after you air down for off-road travel? Something to do with air suspension? Blowing up your air mattress/inflatable pool? :becky:

 

[The Waco Kid]

Warning: dumb question coming....

I've done some searching (here and elsewhere), and am still not 100% clear - what's the primary purpose of an on-board compressor setup?? Is it mainly for re-inflating tires after you air down for off-road travel? Something to do with air suspension? Blowing up your air mattress/inflatable pool? :becky:

Only thing you left off was air-tools... but yeah. That's the jist of it.

 

[Camodog]

I am thinking about getting the viair 400 or similar portable.
As badly as I would like to have oba, sometimes we need to help others that are too far away for oba to be useful.

Now I just need to stop researching and pick one up.