Sanity check before I buy a new compressor

[Canon_Bob]

No, I'm not going to ask another "Which one should I buy?" question, and I've definitely searched and read the countless threads that already exists on this and other forums on the subject. Yes, I considered other makes/models (like the MV50)....but after reading countless posts decided to give Viair the nod. ARB is overkill, and $250.00 is my top end on this buy.

I'm ready to pull the trigger on a Viair 450P kit at $250.00 unless someone chimes in and talks me out of it.

Background: My "cheap" Slime compressor gave up the ghost yesterday morning when I was airing up after navigating some sugar sand. In all fairness, it lasted several years so I have nothing bad to say about it other than it took a long time to do the job. Decided to upgrade to something nicer, but I definitely do NOT need a mounted one! I run stock tire size, and don't air down nearly as much as most here do. I'd say I use it moderately about 10-20 times a year (mostly for sugar sand excursions). The rest of the time it's just to check tire pressure and add a pound or two now and then.

I have both the Viair 300P and the Viair 450P sitting in my shopping cart on Amazon, and will buy one or the other by the end of the day. The 300 is likely "good enough" for me, but the 450 gives me "room to grow" should I decide on a lift and bigger tires in the distant future.

I posted here on the 5th Gen thread because I know the folks who post here better, and it's frankly about the only forum I read.

Thanks in advance for any feedback (positive or negative is welcome).

 

[BettysNephew]

I have been reading the past threads and feel the 450 with its' auto shut off when moving from tire to tire is an advantage time wise as no disconnect needed. The higher capacity/duty cycle of the 450 is also a plus if you later upsize tires. However there is a substantial price penalty from 300 to 450. I will be watching this thread.

 

[Jhalko]

I bought a bigger compressor than I needed because I didn't want have to buy another down the road if I added a rear locker. In the context of the cost of a new 4Runner it didn't matter. I like your idea of thinking ahead.

It costs more because it might save you money down the road!
:thumb3:

 

[bimrunner]

I have the 450p as my backup/portable. It does the job reasonably and is a stout little machine! I've done 2 vehicles back to back 35" tires on both rigs from 15-42lbs of air without a hiccup more than a few times. It will last a very long time.

 

[Canon_Bob]

I have been reading the past threads and feel the 450 with its' auto shut off when moving from tire to tire is an advantage time wise as no disconnect needed. The higher capacity/duty cycle of the 450 is also a plus if you later upsize tires. However there is a substantial price penalty from 300 to 450. I will be watching this thread.

I looked at the answer more as a product of "time saved" than anything else. Yes, there is about a $100.00 difference in price, but the 450 does the same job in significantly less time. I figured that I'll probably use it (conservatively) at least 15 times per year on average. If I save 2 minutes of time per tire each time I use it, that's a savings of 8 minutes per instance, or 2 hours per year for the life of the compressor. Let's say the compressor lasts 5 years. that's 10 hours of time that I gained back for an additional $100.00. So the question is really "Is my time worth more than $10.00 per hour to me?". In my case, that's a resounding "YES!".

I am, of course, assuming that the build quality and life expectancy are about the same on both models.

 

[BettysNephew]

Since I am now retired, the time saving probably isn't an issue. I make $0.00/hour. LOL The convenience is worth it in my estimation, as there is always the possibility of my wife or some bozo pal that knows no better deadheading the compressor and burning the motor out. Not saying she is a bozo just that her mechanical common sense might be lacking as she is used to filling tires with the tank type compressor in the garage.

 

[scanny]

I think Viair is a good choice. Myself I have Viair 88p for few years now and I'm very happy with it. Battery clamps could be bigger though. I was thinking about 300 or 450, but decided that I use compressor maybe 6 times a year top I don't need bigger and heavier models. As per Viair web site 88p fill rate for 33" tires are slower for a less than a minute per tire comparing with 300P and 88p is a little bit smaller and 2lb lighter. Another thing I didn't like in 300P is that pressure gauge is on the chuck but power button is on the compressor itself - looks like you have to run between tire and compressor all the time. 88p and 450p don't have this problem. Also on Viair site they say not to use included air hose in freezing temperatures which is an issue for me since I might need compressor in winter : ) Same thing with 450p air hose and 450p is bigger and 8lb heavier than 88p. So I got 88p. But if I planed for 35' tires I would get 450p and different air hose. Just my 2 cents : )

 

[thebwlife]

Have you explored the option of CO2? That's what I'll be buying next for an air source.

Amazon.com: Power Tank PT10-5250BK Comp Series Black Package B System: Automotive

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Have you explored the option of CO2? That's what I'll be buying next for an air source.

Amazon.com: Power Tank PT10-5250BK Comp Series Black Package B System: Automotive

I got a Viair 300 for Christmas. I have played with it a little bit. I have a co2 tank for daily off road trips but wanted a compressor to keep in the 4runner and for longer trips where I do not have room to carry the co2 tank and just incase I get a low tire on the road. I found that the 300 fills my 275/70/17 fast enough for me. I was concerned about the pressure building up in the hose if I did not turn it off right away but the air nozzle does not completely shut off the air when it is removed from the valve stem so the pressure never builds up. The bigger compressors was getting to big to fit in my storage area I have for the compressor. The problem I have with the 300 and probably the bigger compressors is that even though it says the hose is 25' long if you try to reach the right rear tire it stretches the hose so much it moves the compressor and disconnects the battery clamps. I have added and extension hose but the power cord could also be extended. Nothing can beat the convenience of a co2 tank. It instantly fills the tires just like a big home compressor until the co2 runs out. I have a 5Lb. co2 tank. The 10 lb. ones take a lot more space.

 

[Canon_Bob]

Have you explored the option of CO2? That's what I'll be buying next for an air source.

Amazon.com: Power Tank PT10-5250BK Comp Series Black Package B System: Automotive

Just not practical/cost effective for my use case. If I were serious about off-roading, I'd consider this and a portable compressor backup. A straight compressor solution is more appropriate for me. I also would have concerns about driving around in traffic with a pressurized tank in my vehicle (I don't even carry a fire extinguisher either most of the time). Saw a car wreck once where one of the vehicles was carrying scuba tanks. Was not fun being one of the first on scene. I'm old and lazy, and try to avoid loading/unloading gear as much as possible. My recovery kit stays in my 4Runner in a secured box almost all the time. I only remove it when I need to haul something. This solution is also twice my budget. Thanks for the input though.

 

[thebwlife]

I also would have concerns about driving around in traffic with a pressurized tank in my vehicle (I don't even carry a fire extinguisher either most of the time). Saw a car wreck once where one of the vehicles was carrying scuba tanks. Was not fun being one of the first on scene.

I drive around with two 3600psi tanks under my Tahoe (it's my daily driver) all the time, LOL.

 

[philsey]

...... she is used to filling tires with the tank type compressor in the garage.

Your wife can fill her own tires! ? :reddance:

Mine once asked me what that little light was that came on in her dashboard.

"What's it look like"?, I say. "Kinda like a little flat tire", sez she.

:baby:

She makes killer enchiladas tho....

 

[Canon_Bob]

Your wife can fill her own tires! ? :reddance:

Mine once asked me what that little light was that came on in her dashboard.

"What's it look like"?, I say. "Kinda like a little flat tire", sez she.

:baby:

She makes killer enchiladas tho....

Oh man....I SOO relate to this one! Had the same thing happen....and she drove it that way for days before asking!!!!

 

[Jeremy556]

I would go with a 400 over the 450. It puts out more CFM, so it will fill tires faster than the 450. The downside is a lower duty cycle, but you'll never hit the duty cycle on the 400 filling your tires, even from 0 psi.

2.54 cfm vs. 1.66 cfm

 

[Canon_Bob]

I would go with a 400 over the 450. It puts out more CFM, so it will fill tires faster than the 450. The downside is a lower duty cycle, but you'll never hit the duty cycle on the 400 filling your tires, even from 0 psi.

2.54 cfm vs. 1.66 cfm

Good callout. I just tossed this one in the cart as well. Seems like a good fit, as I doubt the duty cycle will be a big factor in my case.

 

[Mtn.Rush]

Good callout. I just tossed this one in the cart as well. Seems like a good fit, as I doubt the duty cycle will be a big factor in my case.

I have the 400p, it sits in a bag back in the cargo area year round. Not thing like driving by the air up line at the beach and doing it in the lot away from the madness. I've have mine since 2011 and would absolutely recommend it.

 

[Canon_Bob]

I decided on the 400P. I seriously doubt that this thing will ever see more than 15 minutes of "non-stop" work in it's lifetime, so the duty cycle difference between the 450 and the 400 is completely non-relevant for my needs (present and future). This forum rocks! Just saved me a few bucks and some time!

 

[BettysNephew]

Your wife can fill her own tires! ? :reddance:

Heck, she taught me how to put the toilet seat back down, so I thought it fair for her to be able to check oil and tires. My Mrs. makes great Chinese but that might be because she came from Taiwan.

 

[wfo9]

I've been using this for about a year now.
Amazon.com: Smittybilt 2781 5.65 CFM Universal Air Compressor: Automotive

Flows 5.6cfm.... Fills my 33s from ~18 to 40psi in 60 - 120 seconds. Seems well made.

Another great thing about this compressor is that it flows enough to get a pesky tubeless MTB tire to seat. Saved my butt on a few trips just with that feature.

It's also easy to modify these to include a small tank and an automatic pressure switch. I planned on doing that initially, but like the compact nature of the stock design.

I also have an ARB compressor for my air lockers mounted in the engine bay, but I don't like stressing it with filling tires. Plus this is 5x faster than my ARB (I have the single motor unit).

I can't count the number of uses I have found for this thing. Sometimes I don't even start up my big compressor in the garage in favor of the portability of this unit.

 

[Canon_Bob]

My 400P arrived yesterday. I tested it out before putting it into my recovery kit in the 4Runner. Aired all my tires down to 20psi in the driveway (using the deflator that came with the 400P), and then aired them back up with the new compressor. Wow....what a huge difference compared to what I had! It is definitely a worthwhile step up from the lower-end options out there. This thing is built like a tank.

Only thing I'll change is that I need to get an extension hose for it. I had it stretched out pretty far reaching those rear tires. It will reach, but you run the risk of disconnecting it because that coiled hose pulls at the running compressor when filling the back tires. Glad I tested it before needing it on the trails. Easy fix.