Air Compressors (On Board Air)

[Mlachica]

I have the viar 400c and it's great! I have used it fairly often and love it. I love the reliability over the possibility of co2 running out. From 15-32psi (32x1150x15) it takes about 3-4 minutes. It's mounted in an ammo can that's mounted in the bed - works perfect but I'll probably end up moving it to make room for the fridge.

 

[Desertdude]

interesting article on setting up an inexpensive on board compressor

 

[vanguard]

While I own the ARB, I haven't used it enough to really say it's good or bad. A key selling point for me was that I am getting ARB lockers installed on 2/20 and I wanted the comfort of having a full ARB setup. They have it all figured out. The wiring diagrams are complete, the tank has holes for the soliniods, etc. Now that I've done it once I'm sure I could make any of them work but it was nice to do it by the book the first time.

I thought hard about CO2. I might even do it someday but since I have a compressor now it's not high on the todo list. My decision to go with onboard air was centered around the CO2 installation I had in my head. The bottle needs to stand as upright as possible so I would mount it in my bed. Because of that it would be a "night before the trip" kind of task to get it ready. After I mentally processed that I decided that I'd rather have onboard air because it's always there. I can flip on the locker anytime I want it, in the case of snow for example when I didn't plan on 4wd.

Because the Super Flow seems to have a great price/performance ration I looked around for it. However, I didn't find it for $50 like everybody seemed to be finding a year ago. Instead it was always $80 + shipping or more. When it got up there I thought I'd go with the full ARB system.

Anyway, those are the sorts of thoughts that went through my head. I hope it helps.

 

[jim65wagon]

MY brand new MV50 is sitting on my table in pieces. I tested it once, filling all four tires from 17 to 35 lbs in 15 minutes. Way better than my Truckair, anyways, I had it out today contemplating an underhood install, hooked it up and found out the switch is broken. The plastic switch shattered in about 4 little pieces. Luckily I have more switches.

 

[crawldit]

Here's the compressor that I bought

http://www.tjoutfitters.com/shop/in.../65/prevaction/category/previd/5/prevstart/0/

For just over $100 I think it's a real good performer. I can air up my 245/75/16's (31") from 10 psi to 30 psi in about 10 minutes for all 4. I ran with a buddy this weekend who picked up one of the ones from Autozone before they were discontinued. He was airing up his 35x12.5x15 Xterrains from 10 to 30 psi as well. I aired up all 4 of my tires and 2 of his in the time that it took for him to air of just 2 of his own tires

 

[flyingwil]

Great Input! Thanks and keep it coming. I am hoping Scott might chime in since it looks like he has the ViAir on his trooper and the ExtremeAire on the Taco... It might be a safe bet that the ARB 4X4Runner has an ARB... come on Scott we want a comparison, and input!

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Hey Guys

I am have been contemplating what to do for air on my 80 and ended up with a CO2 tank for now, until i can figure out how to hook up my York!

Depending on what type of rig you got, you will NOT beat a York belt driven compressor! I have had A LOT of experience with these compressors and have installed quite a few OBA setups for people!

I personally, have had them on 2 different rigs (both Jeeps) and they cannot be beat for price, durability, and duty cycle! They are bolts ins (with a nifty little kit) for almost ALL jeep models and some rigs take a lot more work. I have seen them installed in many vehicles with some fabbing! Ask anyone that has one and they will swear by them!

I have hopes of getting the brand new york unit i have sitting in garage into my FZJ80 but it wont be easy due to the limited real estate under the hood!

For now, i use a 20lb CO2 tank that i just finished the brackets for today (pics coming soon) and love it. $11 to fill at my local welding supply place and it will last quite a long time!

Once you see how easy and cheap the York belt driven compressor can be installed and how great it works, its hard to settle for anything else!

I ran the 10CFM York from a volvo with v belt and a 2.5 gallon tank mounted under the rig tucked up nice near the body and it was awesome! I really wish i could get this thing in my 80!

If i were wealthy and money werent a big concern, i would be purchasing the Oasis setup, that is pretty much a York compressor that runs off of a small electrical motor! I saw one of these bad boys work @ Pismo this year and was most impressed! However, it is a little bigger then most and costs some $

Check it out here: http://oasisoffroad.com/p2.html

For now, i am running a 20lb co2 tank, but WILL have a belt driven york in my rig someday!

This is my .02

 

[91xlt]

yeah i agree, if you can find the room and figure it out the York OBA is the way to go...100% duty cycle plenty of psi and cfm, especially with a small reserve tank, i run the york oba w/2.5 gal res and it rocks!

 

[Willman]

Great Input! Thanks and keep it coming. I am hoping Scott might chime in since it looks like he has the ViAir on his trooper and the ExtremeAire on the Taco... It might be a safe bet that the ARB 4X4Runner has an ARB... come on Scott we want a comparison, and input!

Bump for Scott!!!!!!

 

[ldivinag]

here's my history of OBA:

the original ARB compressor to power my locker.

quick air II, bought the hard mount one but made it portable.

the $25 special at kragens.

the ARB is now reserved for locker use only and as a 3rd backup. more than once have i burned my fingers trying to unhook the QR from it... lesson learned? wet down a small towel and drape it over the unit...

the QAII... not so quick. for $300, i expected more, i guess.

a few months ago, at 4x4wire.com's toyota forum, a big buzz came down on this $25 close out compressor at kragen/etc. initial report said this was faster than the QAII.

so i bought one. i only tested on a small 14" car tire and it was rather fast. havent really truly tested on my 32" tires though. as for longevity, who knows...

if i were gonna get a CO2 setup, i will always carry my elec compressors. things leak. and it is a finite supply...

 

[Willman]

I was kind of leaning towards the ViAir, seems to priced right for me, and performance seems to be at par. The ExtremeAir seems to be the most popular around here. Any one use the ViAir or any of the others mentioned in post #1?

Wil-

What did you get for an compressor and did you get an air tank for it???

My bumper is done and now time to setup my onboard air with my 5 gal. air tank from my bumper!!!

 

[Scott Brady]

Sorry for missing this one guys...

I have the following compressors:

Trooper- Viair 400
Jeep- ARB
Tacoma- ExtremeAir

The Viair actually does a pretty good job for smaller tires, but can only be used as such with the limited duty cycle. Both the ARB and Viair have limited duty cycles and cannot power air tools.

I use air for lots of things. Airing up, reseating a bead, operating the air locker, operating air tools and even operating a compressed air vacume to clean the interior and tent on long trips. So, CFM is king for me, followed by duty cycle. The ExtremeAir strikes the best compromise.

I know DesertDude has two of them and is happy too.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I'm coming in on this way late, but here it goes...

I am a huge fan of CO2 systems for several reasons. I have a 10, 15 & 20 lb CO2 setups. I recently used the 20lb'er to fill up 12 tires in Moab, it didn't freeze, never has in fact. There are several places here in SLC to fill them, even with the 20lb'er I have never paid more than $10. I am into my steel 20lb'er ~$75, my steel 15lb'er ~$100, and my aluminum 10lb'er ~ $75

The York compressor is also a great option, but it has its downfalls too.. It only works when the motor is on, and it only works within reach of the problem. the CO2 can be lugged up a hillside or trail to reach the need. Mounting and plumbing can be an issue in a York, not a big deal on an older rig with plenty of room under the hood, but it would be a tight fit in a Tacoma, 80 (as Boston highlighted, etc.). I used to install them on customers rigs years ago... they were the bomb and I always intended to put one in mine... with the CO2 I have no desire. We ran a full York system on the comp buggy, and it does kick some butt!

I have an ARB compressor in both rigs, just as many have said its best used for the lockers I have filled several tires with it, but that stopped with the CO2 addition. Its alot of work on the ARB compressor, and alot more time.

Will mentioned the worry of leaking CO2 tank... Not a big issue? Your just as likely to lose your motor oil, or your antifreeeze as you are to lose all your CO2. They have a time proven valve (think of welders, torches, helium, medical, etc) that they use the same valve for... it doesn't leak, even if the valvle leaked, your regulator (also used for medical-industrial applications) won't leak... redundant systems prevent issues. :ylsmoke:

 

[PCRover]

I am planning on having both my onboard air and a CO2 system. One question I have regarding CO2 is if you can mount and use a CO2 tank in the horizontal position? Or how about storing it horizontal and then using it vertical?

 

[BajaTaco]

I have seen them used in the horiz. position. Vertical mounting is preferable because it keeps a void between the liquid CO2 and the regulator for gas to occupy, thereby more efficient (and probably safer, with less freeze-up of the valve assy.)

http://www.powertank.com/faqs#question12