Knockoff ARB (HF Air) air compressor

[XJLI]

Having recently shifted from a cheap Chinese compressor to a Viair, I can tell you there's a huge difference in quality.

I did the opposite. The VIAIR was definitely well made, but this little guy works for me. I’m not worried about it.

 

[RVflyfish]

Thanks for starting this thread. I've never had a compressor and the discussion helps.

Any chance you can update the link to the one you chose? eBay doesn't find anything when I click it.

 

[XJLI]

Thanks for starting this thread. I've never had a compressor and the discussion helps.

Any chance you can update the link to the one you chose? eBay doesn't find anything when I click it.

Ah, it seems someone reported the eBay auctions. No worries, I updated the original post. Aliexpress is the way to get these now:

https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-ckma12.html?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20230207041840&SearchText=ckma12&spm=a2g0o.productlist.1000002.0

 

[NMBruce]

The dual compressor is the way to go. It’s a 100% duty cycle compressor so it doesn’t shut down from overheating if you have to fill larger tires.

 

[RVflyfish]

Thanks guys. Here’s a twin on Aliexpress:

CKMTA12

For comparison, the ARB version seems to be going for $616 most places including 4 Wheel Parts and Amazon.

 

[XJLI]

The dual compressor is the way to go. It’s a 100% duty cycle compressor so it doesn’t shut down from overheating if you have to fill larger tires.

the smaller one is still 30/30... 30 minutes is a loooooong time and if you're hitting the duty cycle on that you need a larger compressor full stop. IIRC I only needed 90 seconds or so a tire.

 

[XJLI]

Thanks guys. Here’s a twin on Aliexpress:

CKMTA12

For comparison, the ARB version seems to be going for $616 most places including 4 Wheel Parts and Amazon.

Watch the shipping cost on some of them. You might need to pay $30 or more for one with free shipping.

 

[UglyViking]

Thanks guys. Here’s a twin on Aliexpress:

CKMTA12

For comparison, the ARB version seems to be going for $616 most places including 4 Wheel Parts and Amazon.

Did you snag one of these? Curious to know the duty cycle as it's not listed.

 

[XJLI]

Did you snag one of these? Curious to know the duty cycle as it's not listed.

It's almost certainly the same as the ARB, so 100%. Email the seller, they're usually very quick to respond despite the language barrier. I've never had a bad experience ordering from AliExpress.

 

[RVflyfish]

Did you snag one of these? Curious to know the duty cycle as it's not listed.

No I’m still in the thinking about it phase.

 

[UglyViking]

I found a video on youtube that seems to indicate it's similar but not the same. So likely a knockoff and not made in the same factory, or if it is they are using some cheaper options on the knock off.


It looks like the knock off is using a 24v fan and so the cooling isn't as good as the ARB. That's a super cheap upgrade.

The main point of concern was the connection for the piston, which had surface rust.

 

[RVflyfish]

Do you mean that swapping in a 12v fan to replace the 24v would be a super cheap upgrade?

 

[UglyViking]

Do you mean that swapping in a 12v fan to replace the 24v would be a super cheap upgrade?

Yes. 12v fans are pretty inexpensive for a quality unit, and running a 24v fan with only 12v is known to not be optimal. I'd make that change before I installed one if I bought the knockoff.

 

[XJLI]

Since OBA came up in another thread I figured I'd post an update here.

No hiccups all of '23, it gets used a lot as I'm on the beach often. It does get warm, but never as hot as my VIAIR portable did. I couldn't touch the hose fitting at the compressor after filling all 4 tires. This one gets hot, but you can still work with it.

 

[1stDeuce]

Curious why you didn't just hard mount the Viair compressor... I have a Viair 400c mounted under my truck and it comes in handy all the time. Not as fast as the converted A/C compressor setup on my Jeep but fast enough for my use. It mostly gets used for airing up flat or low tires on other people's vehiches but I have used it to air up the truck tires too. It's been hanging out under the truck for about 7 years with zero problems, plumbed to a quick fitting to the rear bumper and wired to a switch on the dash through a 90psi cutoff switch relay.

I guess if the knock-off compressor dies, you can just hard mount the Viair in its place... Hopefully it doesn't die though...