Opinions on ARB air locker compressor setup

[wfo9]

I'm trying to decide how I want to run my air lockers.

At first I was set on doing a full custom on-board air setup with a 1-2 gal 150psi tank with a 100 psi regulator for the locker manifold... But looking at the space constraints... I'm now thinking it would be way easier to just put a small ARB compressor in for the actual air lockers and just continue to use my portable SmittyBuilt 12V compressor for airing up other stuff.

I'm looking at this compressor for the lockers.
ARB On-Board High Performance 12 Volt Air Compressor (CKMA12)

I've heard horror stories about locker failures because of poor air supply, but it seems like the lockers would use such little air volume that a big tank with a locker side regulator is overkill.

Thoughts?

I do plan to run stainless braided lines once I get the routing lengths figured out. The ARB supplied air lines seem like a problem waiting to happen.

 

[Swarty]

I think you are on the right track. This is easily as fast as the smitty though so I wouldn't buy both. If you are looking for faster fills just jump up to the arb twin.

 

[enkrypt3d]

Where would be a good place to mount it? I'm thinking passenger side rear of the engine bay there's tons of room there. I've been looking at the twin from ARB so it can run air tools and fill tires...

 

[96r50]

I don't have air lockers but I do have a CKMA12 mounted to the inner fender between the fuse box and the master cylinder. I'm using mine strictly to inflate tires and such with the supplied 100psi pressure switch but you could still add the air locker solenoids to it and have the best of both worlds with one unit.

I wouldn't bother with the air tank unless you knew you would use the system to run air tools regularly. Even then, a small electric compressor and 1-2 gallon tank would be pretty slow.

 

[wfo9]

I think you are on the right track. This is easily as fast as the smitty though so I wouldn't buy both. If you are looking for faster fills just jump up to the arb twin.

I already have the Smitty and I'm quite happy with it for airing up. It moves way more air than the little ARB, about the same as the twin ARBs. It can fill my 285s from 19psi to 40 in about 2 min (maybe a little more never really measured it, but much faster than I ever expected).

 

[phillyd2]

Can’t go wrong with ARB compressors – more than a few have them and the twins. Search member builds to see where they are installed. Most are in the engine compartment and a few are in the cargo area.

However, ARB does NOT recommend using stainless braided lines. If it’s caught on something they can break just as easily as the blue line but without the benefit of being able to repair them on the trail. Plus, if you snag them on something you could potentially damage more serious components instead of just the line. ARB told me they sell them only because some really wanted them. Run the blue line smartly and you will not have any issues and if you do, buy the repair kit.

 

[wfo9]

Just to restate my concern/question.

I'm not worried about the quality of the ARB compressor itself as I'm sure they are good units. I am a little concerned about not having a regulated air supply for the lockers.

With a decent sized tank I could be 100% sure the lockers are always seeing 100psi when the solenoids are open.

With only the manifold and the pressure switch of the ARB packaged compressor, any kind of leak down problem could result in some small pressure drops.

When I look here. Air Locker Pressures | ARB USA Blog

It shows that the supplied ARB compressor pressure switch activates < 70psi and shuts off at 100psi.

Then I hear that ARB recommends running them at 95psi (that being the ideal pressure). They will typically work well below that, but how much pressure is actually required to fully overcome the spring is unclear.

The compact simple installation is the main reason I'm considering the ARB compressor.

I just want my diffs to last. The quick research I did seemed to indicate that there have been many diff failures in the past and most of them point back to install mistakes and a bad air supply to the locker.

 

[Ol'Baditude]

Have you thought about CO2? No better way to fill tires or run air tools IMO.
I have one for tires, which fills all four in ~2mins. I also have an air gun in the tool box, which I have yet to use incidentally. You can build your own setup for about the same price or less than an ARB compressor. You can always run a bypass and run the lockers off CO2 in a pinch as well if you need to.
I currently have a TJM compressor under the hood for backup in the rare case I ever run out of CO2, which will be replaced with a CKMA12 when I have my lockers installed. The compressor will be more or less dedicated to lockers, but I always want to have the ability to fill off the compressor too.
Just a thought for you.

 

[Jeremy556]

I've heard they run reliably as low as 40psi, so the 70-100 on the small compressor should be fine. They don't require much volume at all, so as long you don't have any leaks, you shouldn't have a problem.

My system has no tank, and runs 100-130. Just on the pressure in the air lines, I can lock and unlock the diff 4-5 times before the compressors kick on again.

For any pipe thread fittings, use Loctite 545 thread sealant. It's kind of hard to find (can get on Amazon) and expensive, but it is worth it.

 

[Ol'Baditude]

Just on the pressure in the air lines, I can lock and unlock the diff 4-5 times before the compressors kick on again.

For any pipe thread fittings, use Loctite 545 thread sealant. It's kind of hard to find (can get on Amazon) and expensive, but it is worth it.

Really? Wow! Somehow I thought that the compressor would need to kick in each time the solenoid exhausted. Interesting.

And that 545 is good stuff. I use it to seat the regulators on my paintball tanks.

 

[downpour11]

ARB told me they sell them only because some really wanted them. Run the blue line smartly and you will not have any issues and if you do, buy the repair kit.

I have a stainless line up front and no issues - people like running the stainless lines because they don't have to worry about them freezing up in snowy/icy conditions like the blue lines (my old one froze up last year, zero degrees out and covered in ice).

 

[Jeremy556]

Really? Wow! Somehow I thought that the compressor would need to kick in each time the solenoid exhausted. Interesting.

Yep. Granted, I have a decent amount of line acting as a reservoir - about 6 ft of 1/4 leader hoses, 1/4 line to the front bumper, and 1/4 line to the rear bumper.

 

[phillyd2]

Just passing on what was told by ARB. They say they see lots of unneeded extra damage including fittings when a SS line is snagged which if it was the blue line would have just broken the line that could have been easy to fixed.

As for the compressors running, it’s not continuous – just as needed even if you stay locked. Everybody is different but I normally don’t stay locked and just use as needed. The ARB compressors get to the required psi pretty damn quick – I never noticed a lag when I needed lockers and hit the compressor switch.

 

[wfo9]

I'm guessing the ARB compressor will be good enough. I just wanted to hear that others were not having any problems.

I still prefer going with stainless braided lines. Snags should be near impossible upfront with the armor. The rear should be routed in a way that would eliminate all but the most bizarre situation. Abrasion/heat/cold would be my primary concern with the flimsy stuff.

 

[ur2ez22]

Looking into a similar situation...did you end up putting something in yet or still researching?

 

[nevada]

I already have the Smitty and I'm quite happy with it for airing up. It moves way more air than the little ARB, about the same as the twin ARBs. It can fill my 285s from 19psi to 40 in about 2 min (maybe a little more never really measured it, but much faster than I ever expected).

seeing this is an older thread, I suspect you have already done whatever you were planning...

I was going to suggest just using the Smitty pump, and plumbing in a tiny tank(much like the ARB has). it will do everything the ARB pump would do, and you already had it...

 

[wfo9]

Looking into a similar situation...did you end up putting something in yet or still researching?

Yea, I did the little ARB single compressor.... It works just fine. The air lockers require very little air and the compressor never cycles while they are locked...

 

[ur2ez22]

Yea, I did the little ARB single compressor.... It works just fine. The air lockers require very little air and the compressor never cycles while they are locked...

Do you use that for airing up your tires as well, or do you have a tank or something else for that?