VIAIR 450C or 450P

N

Neauxla

New member
450C is $202 and comes with:

VIAIR 450C air compressor
mounting hardware (nuts, bolts, washers, locking washers)
heavy duty mounting feet with vibration isolators
freeze-resistant wiring
remote mount air filter assembly (two spare elements)
air line for remote mounting air filter
remote mount air filter fittings (2)
heavy duty terminals (spade connector, ring terminal)
check valve pre-installed in stainless steel braided leader hose

450P is $246 and comes with:

1-VIAIR 450P portable air compressor
1-Deluxe zippered carry bag with storage compartments
1-Gas station style inflation gun with 200 PSI air pressure gauge
1-25' extension hose with quick connect coupler and lever chuck
1-Heavy duty sand tray with vibration isolators
1-Set of dual heavy duty direct battery clamps
1-8' power cable
1-3 piece inflation tips kit
1-Inline fuse holder

Would it be better for me to get the 450C and add the hose, inflation gun, etc. or would it be better for me to get the 450P and convert it to a C?
 
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That depends on how/what you'll be using it for...

If its for emergency tire filling, then go with the portable, if you plan on mounting the thing into your vehicle for a permanent installation, then go with the "C" version.

And if you do go the permanent route, you may want to look at the 450c-ig (IIRC) model too, its sealed so you can mount it outside of the vehicle without water damage.

I have the 450c-ig mounted in my truck, it powers my ARB locker, air horn and supplies air to my 5gal tank for air tools and re-filling tires after I'm off the trails.

Works very well and is very quiet (compared to my old 550C that died on me a couple years ago).
 
flyinhawaiian01 said:
And if you do go the permanent route, you may want to look at the 450c-ig (IIRC) model too, its sealed so you can mount it outside of the vehicle without water damage.
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I plan on going permanent for easy fill up of my air bags. The 450C wouldn't be safe in my engine compartment?
 
Neauxla said:
I plan on going permanent for easy fill up of my air bags. The 450C wouldn't be safe in my engine compartment?
Click to expand...
Any of the C models will be fine in the engine compartment. If you are only going to use it for airbags, you could use a smaller/cheaper compressor.
 
if you're already that far down the rabbit hole that you are looking at 400 series Viairs, check out the Air Zenith OB2. its rated to 200 psi, 100% duty, and it was twice as fast as the Viair. love my OB2 after having a smaller Viair for years
 
kboxvegas said:
I have a single Viair 444C which is basically a 480C (100% duty cycle at 100psi). You can find the single viair 444c's new on ebay for ~$130.

Those OB2's are killer but the Viair was a steal and was a better fit for my aux electrical setup.

Viair 444C Black High Performance Single Air Compressor w 150 180 on Off Switch | eBay
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I'm thinking about doing the dual 444c compressors...how do you like the 444c? you think just the single is enough? how long does it take to fill your tires?
 
Portable air compressors

The Waco Kid said:
It would be fine there. Just change the filters regularly, with use.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/197339-those-onboard-air.html
...
Click to expand...

I read through both of these threads and a few others over the last few months.

For my use, only in refilling tires at the end of an off-road run, I don't see the advantage of mounting it in the engine compartment. Here in So Cal I'm lucky to get out on a trail once a month. The rest of the time the on-board compressor would sit unused, adding weight, getting dirty and staying hot in the engine compartment. I've been looking at the portable units like the Viair 440p or 450P Automatic. With the 440P I'd try to add an auto shut-off switch. For days when I think I might need it,I'd put the portable in the back of the vehicle.

I'm not familiar with how the air shocks fill. I imagine they get filled once for a heavy load or trailer and then aired down when the load s removed. For that a portable would still work.

I don't see the need for a tank when the compressor can do the job of filling ties. In the linked thread I read about someone using it for mountain bike tires. I carry a big hand pump that does the job very quickly. Either method is only good for topping out tires at the car. After that you're filling flats out on the road or trail with a mini pump (miniature hand pump, lots of effort).

Any comments or feedback?
 
I'm mainly putting it in the engine compartment out of convenience. I don't want to have to carry it around in the cargo area or have to get it out of the closet when I want to use it. Also,it's really not gonna add much weight.

I got on VIAIR's website and some sales rep (they have live reps when you go to their website) suggested the 450H b/c he says the C and C IG do not have on/off switches. Says you have to install your own if you get those. Is that true?
 
Neauxla said:
I'm mainly putting it in the engine compartment out of convenience. I don't want to have to carry it around in the cargo area or have to get it out of the closet when I want to use it. Also,it's really not gonna add much weight.

I got on VIAIR's website and some sales rep (they have live reps when you go to their website) suggested the 450H b/c he says the C and C IG do not have on/off switches. Says you have to install your own if you get those. Is that true?
Click to expand...

Correct. C models are meant to be used with a pressure switch and include check valves. H models are meant for what you intend and have an on/off switch. The 400 model will fill tires faster than the 450 (2.5 vs 1.6 CFM)
 
DesertCanyons said:
I read through both of these threads and a few others over the last few months.

For my use, only in refilling tires at the end of an off-road run, I don't see the advantage of mounting it in the engine compartment. Here in So Cal I'm lucky to get out on a trail once a month. The rest of the time the on-board compressor would sit unused, adding weight, getting dirty and staying hot in the engine compartment. I've been looking at the portable units like the Viair 440p or 450P Automatic. With the 440P I'd try to add an auto shut-off switch. For days when I think I might need it,I'd put the portable in the back of the vehicle.

I'm not familiar with how the air shocks fill. I imagine they get filled once for a heavy load or trailer and then aired down when the load s removed. For that a portable would still work.

I don't see the need for a tank when the compressor can do the job of filling ties. In the linked thread I read about someone using it for mountain bike tires. I carry a big hand pump that does the job very quickly. Either method is only good for topping out tires at the car. After that you're filling flats out on the road or trail with a mini pump (miniature hand pump, lots of effort).

Any comments or feedback?
Click to expand...

I use mine weekly, if not more often for car tires, bikes, sports equipment, or whatever. And I keep it in my cab in case of emergency (More on this later) .

I haven't mounted it yet but will be this fall/winter. You're not wrong, it's probably not worth it if you only use it once in a while.

Also, I think I mentioned in the thread that I often park in sketchy areas during the work week, as my job requires me to be at remote client sites, rather than my corporate office. So I'm doing this to get it out of the cabin of my truck and put it in a less noticeable place. I keep it in the car in case of emergency, as I've had several surprise punctures over the last several years (damn constant construction) and I want to give thieves fewer reasons for stealing my sh*t. I've come out to my truck enough times, only to see the car next to me with smashed windows, to know I want to do this mod. I keep nothing in my truck visible, and I'd like to make this one of those hidden mods.

Also, it takes up space. I don't like carrying redundant items when I'm traveling with a lot of gear, people, or bikes/motorcycles, which I often am. Any cargo space I can gain from this mod, is a plus. Three different pumps is silly. I have a bike mounted pump if I need something on the trail or i'm just doing one bike, but I'd be damned if it's only one wheel on one bike that needs airing up. And I don't know what the weather is like where you live, but it SUCKS in Houston/SE Texas. Heat may be in the 90's but the humidity really gets to you, even for those of us that have been here our whole lives. I don't like tiring myself before I even get started with my weekend hobbies.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: If it doesn't suit your needs, and it really doesn't add any benefits to your lifestyle, don't do it. It's not worth the cost.


That's my .02. :typing:
 
Jeremy556 said:
Correct. C models are meant to be used with a pressure switch and include check valves. H models are meant for what you intend and have an on/off switch. The 400 model will fill tires faster than the 450 (2.5 vs 1.6 CFM)
Click to expand...


What's better for my purposes

100% duty cycle vs 33%
or 2.5 CFM vs 1.6?
 
Big_Steve13 said:
I'm thinking about doing the dual 444c compressors...how do you like the 444c? you think just the single is enough? how long does it take to fill your tires?
Click to expand...

I have no complaints at all. It stays cooler than I thought it would, surprisingly quite, only uses 20A, and fills pretty fast. I would say I spend ~2mins at each tire when airing up 275/70's from 15 to 38psi. I swear it takes longer to air down than up now. Worlds better than the cheap pepboys portable that a lot of people like.
 
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Neauxla said:
What's better for my purposes

100% duty cycle vs 33%
or 2.5 CFM vs 1.6?
Click to expand...

do not get a 33% duty cycle. I used to have a 270c before I got my OB2, under powered, will take forever to fill tires, and you will overheat the bloody thing before you even finish the first two tires.
 
Neauxla said:
What's better for my purposes

100% duty cycle vs 33%
or 2.5 CFM vs 1.6?
Click to expand...

What is your purpose? I only saw airbags mentioned, which you could use a tiny compressor or bicycle pump for. The 2.5 CFM compressor will fill tires (or anything) faster than the 1.6 CFM.

Jono.ful said:
do not get a 33% duty cycle. I used to have a 270c before I got my OB2, under powered, will take forever to fill tires, and you will overheat the bloody thing before you even finish the first two tires.
Click to expand...
If you get a larger, 33% duty cycle compressor, it is unlikely to be an issue. I used to use a single 400P and never hit thermal shut down, even when airing up 8 tires.
 
The Waco Kid said:
I use mine weekly, if not more often for car tires, bikes, sports equipment, or whatever. And I keep it in my cab in case of emergency (More on this later) .

I haven't mounted it yet but will be this fall/winter. You're not wrong, it's probably not worth it if you only use it once in a while.

...
Click to expand...

Thanks [MENTION=85249]thewacokid[/MENTION],

Yea, I'll probably stick with a portable unit in the soft case or a tool box.

You might want a lockable storage box for inside your cargo space. I've been using a Underwater Kinetics box with a cable and 3 locks to a fixed point in my Jeep, but when the 4Runner arrives I'll be looking for a bolt-down box that I can lock with one lock. Sometimes I have expensive camera gear in the car and I won't leave that open to chance. Most of the time I try to leave the car empty. Why reward a thief?

It's hot here in So Cal now but it's also fairly dry. Humidity is up a bit now (50%) with a southern tropical storm blowing south of us, but typical humidity is 30% or less. For the bike the hand pump works pretty fast. Whether I'm just adding pressure for the uphill or fixing a flat at the car, it's quick and easy. And it's not an expensive item if someone steals it ($40). Out on the trail you have to have a mini pump. I ride in the nearby mountains. My favorite climb starts at around 2200 feet and reaches 4000 feet in 4.25 miles, or about an hours ride. I go in the afternoon when this ride is partly in the shade.

Often where I park for hikes and rides it's just a turn out on the forest highway. I try not to take anything of any value in the car that I'm not going to carry. The pump and few small tools is all I leave behind when I bike.

:focus:
 
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