on-board air -compressors?

[the great him]

so im gonna be installing an ARB in my runner(rear) and want to know what you guys think or recommend as far as air compressors go. i dont want to lose my AC so converting the pump is out. i know i can use the ARB compressor but am afraid i will just be paying for the name... is there a better one(or just as good out there for less? i want it to be able to fill up to a 35" tire(s), be able to run some air tools, impact gun/air ratchet, filling my airbags(the easy part) and of course to actuate the locker -i do plan on using a 5+/- gallon air tank as well.

so what are you guys running for compressors, those of you with air lockers?

 

[muddertrucker99]

I would use a viair 450! I ran 2 of these on my toyota mini i ran a 7 gallon tank and would fill up in like 6 to 8 mins at 150 to 180

 

[Gerdo]

The ARB compressor is nice. If you go that route make sure you go with the high output model. By itself it will not run air tools. It will take some time to air up 35s. It takes ~ 3 minutes for me to air up my 32s from 18-35. I'm sure a tank would help.

 

[Volley]

I've seen both of the above in action and each are nice options. I would consider how much use it will get and based on that do a cost comparison.

 

[bigwebb83]

sorry for the hijack but what does it take to just operate the air locker? I was thinking about an air locker for my 4th gen but don't really want to have a huge tank taking up room in the back.

 

[muddertrucker99]

sorry for the hijack but what does it take to just operate the air locker? I was thinking about an air locker for my 4th gen but don't really want to have a huge tank taking up room in the back.

It operates on 80 to 100 psi.

 

[muddertrucker99]

I've seen both of the above in action and each are nice options. I would consider how much use it will get and based on that do a cost comparison.

I would consider the viair for the reason! the 100% duty cycle. Considering your gonna be filling 35's which take alot of air and it will be running for a long period of time.

 

[Dbl. E]

I suggest you do some research on duty cycle before you make a compressor purchase. People often think a 100% duty cycle compressor will be better than a lesser percentage duty cycle compressor. A 100% duty cycle compressor is designed to run 24/7 and are often less efficient and slower than a lesser percentage compressor. For tires and occasional usage a 33% duty cycle will get the job.

 

[KD5NRH]

So where's the sweet spot for occasional use? I don't need to air up tires daily, but if I do need to air down once or twice a year, I still don't want to be standing around waiting for a $12 Walmart compressor to fill them all back up.
Seems a little excessive to spend hundreds on a larger OBA setup that will mostly just gather dust and take up a lot of space, but there should still be something better than the tiny ones.
If it helps, I'm considering running heavy gauge power cables to Anderson connectors behind both bumpers in case I decide to put a winch on later, so there would be a high current source available within a few feet of each tire.

 

[GhostRing]

So where's the sweet spot for occasional use? I don't need to air up tires daily, but if I do need to air down once or twice a year, I still don't want to be standing around waiting for a $12 Walmart compressor to fill them all back up.
Seems a little excessive to spend hundreds on a larger OBA setup that will mostly just gather dust and take up a lot of space, but there should still be something better than the tiny ones.
If it helps, I'm considering running heavy gauge power cables to Anderson connectors behind both bumpers in case I decide to put a winch on later, so there would be a high current source available within a few feet of each tire.

Just grab one of these little shite-kickers:

Access to this page has been denied

I've used mine regularly for the better part of a decade with only 1 melted fuse (tried 8 tires in a row) so far. Not the best, not the worst, but will do
33's - even if it's just enough to get to a larger air source.

 

[phattyduck]

Just grab one of these little shite-kickers:

Access to this page has been denied

I've used mine regularly for the better part of a decade with only 1 melted fuse (tried 8 tires in a row) so far. Not the best, not the worst, but will do
33's - even if it's just enough to get to a larger air source.

Agreed. I upgraded the fuse holder on my HF pump. I might do the power wire someday. I also built my own 4-tire inflator, which gets the most out of whatever compressor you have - speeds up deflating too. The only way to go faster is to remove valve cores. Once you get above the cheapest pumps, the tire valve is a fairly large restriction.

-Charlie

 

[Humble Leader]

So where's the sweet spot for occasional use? I don't need to air up tires daily, but if I do need to air down once or twice a year, I still don't want to be standing around waiting for a $12 Walmart compressor to fill them all back up.
Seems a little excessive to spend hundreds on a larger OBA setup that will mostly just gather dust and take up a lot of space, but there should still be something better than the tiny ones.
If it helps, I'm considering running heavy gauge power cables to Anderson connectors behind both bumpers in case I decide to put a winch on later, so there would be a high current source available within a few feet of each tire.

go with a viair 400 model. I had an on board air set up and IMO and my experience anything mounted external to the vehicle won't last with the engine bay being the worst spot for it. my arb wiring started melting and corroding near the relay. lasted less than 2 years. I don't know how people in the desert states have engine bay compressors that don't time out due to heat. I went back to my viair 400 portable. mounting in the vehicle is a good choice but space is limited and you need to run thick wire especially if you're mounting in the rear

I also thought about doing the anderson powerpoles to the rear so I don't have to open my hood to hook up the compressor. but again the wire would need to be thick to handle the amps and just wasn't worth it to me. takes 10 seconds to open the hood and another 10 seconds to hook it up. portable is practical but definitely not the cool option

 

[96RedRunner]

BFAD's SuperFlow MV-50 Air Compressor Build
Been using this one since 2010 or so installed larger input power leads did
away with alligator battery clips use Anderson power connector.
A Anderson power connector good idea on any that have alligator clamps.
I kept power connection under hood comp stored interior.

 

[habanero]

Using a Viair w/tank for tires/arb locker/air gun/seating tubeless bike tires/etc. Doesn't air the tires up quite as fast as my husband's twin arb compressor, but having the tank is a plus for me.

Compressor is behind a cargo panel with a couple of muffin fans to help circulate air, air tank is where the spare used to live.

I'm also using the same heavy duty solenoid that allows power to the winch, in case of malfunction. Glad I had it when the compressor wouldn't shut off due to a bad/corroded pressure switch. While I could have unplugged the anderson connector, flipping the switch was quicker.

 

[JohnMc]

I put an Arb dual air compressor in the cubby in the back of my '99. I did reinforce the way the pocket attaches to the interior panel when I did that, and after 5 or 6 years of use, I had to reinforce the way that panel attaches to the car. It's not really designed to hold weight permanently.

I've seen these things: Manufacturer 12v Dual Air Compressor 4x4 Accessories Professional Twin Compressor For Car - Buy 12v Air Compressor,4x4 Compressor,Twin Compressor Product on Alibaba.com
About 1/3rd the price, and suspiciously similar to the Arb's. It's been a while since I looked that up on Alibaba, they used to match far more, same blue anodizing, same fins, same configuration. I wonder if Arb somehow made them change a few things on it.

Certainly no complaints with the Arb dual. Makes lots of air, I air up my 33's in just a few minutes. No accumulator tank, just a hose directly on the compressor.

 

[Mendoncyclesmith]

So, forgive my potentially tone deaf response, but I just went through the whole portable compressor thing.

Was thinking of the VivAir, but hated the alligator clips on the battery, power method.

Spoke with my SnapOn guy about something, they only had the "lunchbox" flavor, but the same week I spoke to him, they launched this. I couldn't be happier.

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Additionally, once you buy into their 18V or now, 20V universe, you can also get one of their impact drivers, which run on the same battery, so life gets a little simpler.

Apologies if on board is the only option you were seeking, it's just that this thing has impressed the hell out of me with it's ouput volume and battery life.