ARB Compressor Install With Remote Air Inlet

[teotwaki]

I recently installed a new CKMA12 compressor in my 4Runner. It is located on the fenderwell on the driver's side. It required relocating the heatsinked module as well as the little relay box on the side of the fuse box. I used some small sheets of 1/8" thick rubber to help isolate some of the compressor's vibration.

I give very high marks to ARB for the thoroughness of the kit.

Compressor bolted down with a red dust cap on the outlet


Two new switches in the lineup


What I wasn't crazy about was that the compressor's little air filter was near the lip of the fenderwell where splashing water or tire-churned dust would be prevalent.

What I came up with was a way to remote mount the filter and stay within ARB's guidelines for minimizing inlet restrictions

Kit of Parts


K&N 62-1110 valve cover breather with 5/8" inlet stem and mounting stud
Hose clamps 3/8” to 7/8” (2 needed)
Metal “L” Braces/Brackets 2” x 2”
3/8” to ¼” NPT Male to NPT Male
3/8” FIP to MIP street elbow
PVC tube 5/8” ID
PVC pipe end cap
Teflon thread paste or use Teflon tape
Two stainless self-tapping screws

Next... the build up.

 

[teotwaki]

Filter installed in PVC cap to protect from splashing water. You need to drill a hole for the stud to fit through. Yes, I put the K&N sticker on after trimming it down. :elkgrin:

With “L” Bracket on the cap


Installed brass elbow adaptor with 5/8” ID plastic tube hose clamped on


Filter mounted behind driver's side headlamp


The Compressor's filter air inlet is now above what I would consider the water line for my engine's air inlet.

 

[Harald Hansen]

Nice! Thanks for sharing!

 

[I Leak Oil]

Great idea! Mine is mounted inside the truck behind the side facing jump seat. I'd recommend installing a ball valve before the quick disconnect though. On two occasions my quick disconnect leaked enough to render the lockers inoperable. An inexpensive ball valve has solved this issue for me.
Jason T.

 

[rmarz]

Very detailed write up, thanks. Now if only you can escape from the office to field test it!

 

[teotwaki]

Great idea! Mine is mounted inside the truck behind the side facing jump seat. I'd recommend installing a ball valve before the quick disconnect though. On two occasions my quick disconnect leaked enough to render the lockers inoperable. An inexpensive ball valve has solved this issue for me.
Jason T.

I am not sure I understand how that was a problem for you. Maybe you are letting the compressor charge the manifold once and then you are shutting the compressor off?

Here is how mine is set up:
On the ARB compressor mini tank/manifold there are two allen head screws for one or two ARB solenoid valves. Those valves go to the air lines to the locker. I have not installed the solenoid for my rear locker because the locker is not done.

The pressure sensor and quick disconnect (QD) are both on a 1/4" NPT tee fitting. that is on the end of the ARB manifold.

If the QD was leaking very much the pressure solenoid would trigger the compressor to run and recharge the manifold.

I have tried to find any leaks and re-seal the fitting in question. I've noticed that the compressor will very briefly trigger once every ten minutes. I did put some water into the QD opening and saw no bubbles so I don't think that it is leaking.

Right now I don't know if the 10 minute cycle is normal due to leakage inside the compressor's cylinder head or what. Otherwise I still have a miniscule leak at one of the threaded joints that I'll need to track down.

 

[teotwaki]

Very detailed write up, thanks. Now if only you can escape from the office to field test it!

Yes, and when I do I need to ensure that the Sam Adams in your cooler do not get broken. I will be mailing something to you to help with resolution of that issue. I just need to get to the post office with the package.... :box:

 

[I Leak Oil]

I am not sure I understand how that was a problem for you. Maybe you are letting the compressor charge the manifold once and then you are shutting the compressor off?

Here is how mine is set up:
On the ARB compressor mini tank/manifold there are two allen head screws for one or two ARB solenoid valves. Those valves go to the air lines to the locker. I have not installed the solenoid for my rear locker because the locker is not done.

The pressure sensor and quick disconnect (QD) are both on a 1/4" NPT tee fitting. that is on the end of the ARB manifold.

If the QD was leaking very much the pressure solenoid would trigger the compressor to run and recharge the manifold.

Mine is setup basically the same way but when I switch the compressor on with the badly leaking QD the compressor wouldn't shut off yet wouldn't hold enough pressure to keep the lockers engaged. When I replaced the QD I added the ball valve so if it happens again the valve remains closed and the compressor acts normally. QD's do and will eventually start to leak.
Jason T.

 

[teotwaki]

Mine is setup basically the same way but when I switch the compressor on with the badly leaking QD the compressor wouldn't shut off yet wouldn't hold enough pressure to keep the lockers engaged. When I replaced the QD I added the ball valve so if it happens again the valve remains closed and the compressor acts normally. QD's do and will eventually start to leak.
Jason T.

Okay, that makes more sense. I looked at a lot of QDs and noticed quite a difference in construction. Hopefully I picked a good one. Otherwise I'll copy your addition of the ball valve.

 

[BiG BoB]

It's a good idea what you've done (sourceing clean air). Did you give any thought to sourceing the air from the clean side of the vehicles air filter?

If a snorkel was fitted, that would have to be a jolly good place to get air from (ARB tests have shown the compressor to be operable under complete imersion)

Sean

 

[rickc]

BiG BoB's suggestion makes a lot of sense. The Hummer CTIS compressor inhales via a tap after the main engine air filter.

 

[teotwaki]

It's a good idea what you've done (sourceing clean air). Did you give any thought to sourceing the air from the clean side of the vehicles air filter?

If a snorkel was fitted, that would have to be a jolly good place to get air from (ARB tests have shown the compressor to be operable under complete imersion)

Sean

ARB actually addresses that first idea in the instructions and says "Don't do it". It's because the engine can create a vacuum condition and starve the compressor of air.

Now the second idea is how I convince myself that I need a snorkel! Yeah! To protect the ARB compressor! Sure makes sense! Hunny, can I have the checkbook? :luxhello:

 

[teotwaki]

BiG BoB's suggestion makes a lot of sense. The Hummer CTIS compressor inhales via a tap after the main engine air filter.

I'd love to have CTIS........ :jumping:

 

[Hltoppr]

I'm resurrecting this thread, as I'm chasing a leak on my ARBs; also with the Quick Disconnect (QD) fitting. Could one of you gents who've solved this with a different QD post a link to the type that doesn't leak?

My compressor cycles for about a second every 30 seconds or so...and doesn't seem to effect the lockers' operation, but is kinda annoying....

-H-

 

[Crikeymike]

My compressor was leaking at the solenoid fittings. I removed the fittings, re-teflon-taped them and it stopped.

It cycled about the same as what you're saying.