inexpensive 12v tire inflator
- Thread starter rexwang
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67cj5
Man On a Mission
Well I added the ARB Portable Twin to my kit and it is a fast one on most Tyres but the reason behind buying it is that a few vehicles I have been looking at run over 35/37" Tyres, even the Hummer military version runs 37x12.5 x 16.5 and any trucks like the Pinzgauer or Unimog's or Land Rover 101 run from 34's and upwards so I wanted to get a compressor that can go up to 40's and above or close to it.
67cj5
Man On a Mission
Well I tested the ARB portable twin out on my street Tyres which are 245/70x16 which is equal to a 9.50x29.5x16 and it took it from 15psi to 30 psi in under 30 seconds and in a minute and a half it will go from 0psi to 46psi+, this thing is crazy fast, very nice piece of kit and faster than a 15cfm 240v compressor,
I did not think that it was worth all that extra cash but when you see it in action I can understand why it costs what it does, I prefer to use the ARB High Output Single because it is So light and easy to get along with but the ARB Max Power Twin is a beast and if you own a Hummer or something with 37"/42" Tyres then this is the way to go because that Tank and twin Pumps really do work.
I did not think that it was worth all that extra cash but when you see it in action I can understand why it costs what it does, I prefer to use the ARB High Output Single because it is So light and easy to get along with but the ARB Max Power Twin is a beast and if you own a Hummer or something with 37"/42" Tyres then this is the way to go because that Tank and twin Pumps really do work.
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67cj5
Man On a Mission
It's not, I happen to own 4 compressors all of which I have listed here, Starting with the first one made for off roaders, being the TruckAir 275, And then the cheap Twin Pump Generic model with many names worth about 80 to 100 bucks and also Two of the most expensive models out there, Are the Cheap ones worth the Dough, No way, best one out there is the cheaper ARB model. it does it all if you are not in a panic at a good steady pace.
So seeing I own a compressor from each price range I thought people would like to know the facts about them from the cheapest to the most expensive, If you would prefer I could remove my posts, you only have to ask.
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Grassland
Well-known member
The Viair 400p seems reasonable and reasonably priced. However their product page lists the factory hose as not recommended to be used below freezing. Can the compressors themselves be used with its -15C/5F? Snow is pretty common, as are those temperatures around where I travel.
My truck has Load D (and most tires I would consider replacing them with are load E) and I run 45 psi most of the time. Is something like the Viair 400p going to be able to pump 33/34" tires up to 45 psi?
I run BFG ko2 34x10.5R17 tires, but is/was considering Toyo AT2 255/80R17, and Cooper ST MAXX in the same size.
My truck has Load D (and most tires I would consider replacing them with are load E) and I run 45 psi most of the time. Is something like the Viair 400p going to be able to pump 33/34" tires up to 45 psi?
I run BFG ko2 34x10.5R17 tires, but is/was considering Toyo AT2 255/80R17, and Cooper ST MAXX in the same size.
67cj5
Man On a Mission
Yeah the Viair should handle them ok, Try buying the ARB Hose Kit because some folks here on the forum used the ARB Single Portable Toolbox Compressor Kit to blow up them big Arctic Truck Tyres down in the Antarctic and the little ARB worked well down in temps of -30 to -40f even though they are rated down to -15f, So I would be going for that set up or just get the 400 and the ARB Hose Kit and you will be fine,
You can read the report where they took the ARB Single to Antarctica down to -30f and they are factory tested down to -15f to +212f which is about -26c to + 100c but they took it down to -30f / -34.4*c.
https://expeditionportal.com/the-overland-journal-air-compressor-test/
Hope that helps
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VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
The hose kits that come with all the smaller units are a nylon or plastic compound and while they work 'ok' there is nothing like a good rubber hose when it gets cold. I have an MV50 that I picked up years ago from an ExPo member for a smokin deal. I use it lots, around the house I rarely get out my big compressor and simply use the MV50 for all tires, yoga balls, etc. I thought about replacing the coiled hose, but it works OK and has yet to fail. I don't use it in the freezing temps however...
Another vote for the MV50 and its larger cousin. Reliable, well made and so far it has worked great for me. Gets pretty HOT however so be careful! heh
Another vote for the MV50 and its larger cousin. Reliable, well made and so far it has worked great for me. Gets pretty HOT however so be careful! heh
67cj5
Man On a Mission
Yeah all of them get hot, they do a mighty job, I have about 4 of them I have the original TruckAir 275 still in the box and a generic Twin that Im' giving away and the Two portable ARB's, The Single and the Twin, But that The generic Twin is a beast it puts out about 16psi per minute in the a 4x4 Tyre and I have seen it pump up to 185psi on a tank/Gage.,
There is nothing wrong with the MV-50 it's a Keeper,, I like using my generic Twin for about 100 bucks it is amazing.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
$100 bucks for a twin is a good deal.
I was looking at a Viair but decided to keep the MV50 as it just...works. If it ever dies, I might opt for a permanent mounted unit, but for now portable works just fine.
67cj5
Man On a Mission
The Twin looks like a Viair but with two cylinders, I opened up the male air fitting because it was undersized in it's Bore and I Torqued up the Heads to 33 in-lb and then I took em up to 40 in-lb because when I got it the barrel sleeves were loose and when I checked the head bolts some were loose some were Ok and some were tight so I Torqued them up from 25 in-lb in about 3 in-lb steps and it does not get quite as hot now because it does not have any Air leaks.
Grassland
Well-known member
Very helpful. The Viair 400p is in the budget range... but at the same time the ARB looks like it works everywhere/when you need it.
67cj5
Man On a Mission
Those 255/80/17's work out to be 33", The ARB Single will take a 35" from 15 psi to 32psi in 2 minutes 10 seconds so it should be a fair bit quicker on those 33's, It does my street tyres from 15 to 32psi in 1 minute and 3 seconds which are 29.6" x 10.5x16
There are 2 Viair 400's one is the 400A and the other is the 400p, So you have to make sure you buy the right one because they behave differently. " Not" in a bad way. The Viair is a great unit.
Well I like the ARB Single best because there is room in the Box for the ARB Blue Inflator gauge and a few extra bits and it is protected in a hard case, I know I also have the ARB Twin and it's a peach but the ARB Portable Single is my favourite, It's light and fits anywhere and it has a clever feature that if you forget to turn it off, when you close the Lid it automatically turns the switch off, and it just works so well and you won't break ya back lifting it either.
There are 2 Viair 400's one is the 400A and the other is the 400p, So you have to make sure you buy the right one because they behave differently. " Not" in a bad way. The Viair is a great unit.
Well I like the ARB Single best because there is room in the Box for the ARB Blue Inflator gauge and a few extra bits and it is protected in a hard case, I know I also have the ARB Twin and it's a peach but the ARB Portable Single is my favourite, It's light and fits anywhere and it has a clever feature that if you forget to turn it off, when you close the Lid it automatically turns the switch off, and it just works so well and you won't break ya back lifting it either.
Grassland
Well-known member
Few articles mention going to 45 or 65 or 80 PSI. I run 45ish street.
And I dont need any more help spending even more money than intended on a compressor thank you! Lol.
67cj5
Man On a Mission
For a while when I was doing some testing I was running them up around 55 to 60psi but when and It did it easy,
The Viair compressors seem to be the ones everyone copies, But you only have to look at the finish on the Viair to know you bought the right one, The cost of the Viair over here was through the roof which is why I went with the ones I did, I like Viairs Twin pump mounted on the Tank but it was nearly double the price of what I bought.