Options For Powerful Onboard Air?

[SixSpeed]

Hey Guys,

I am looking for a high performance 12v air compressor for my Unimog. A cramped engine (diesel conversion) compartment is sadly preventing me from running the factory engine driven air compressor. So I am looking for a 12v unit I can use with a 10 gallon air tank.

I have looked around at a few compressors. The ExtremeAire compressors are too expensive for the provided CFM. I have some big tires to fill (44's), so I need a LOT of air. I then found the Oasis Compressors, which have some wicked specifications. 8 CFM @ 100 PSI. I was very excited until I saw the price (YIKES!).

The best thing I have found is the Warn Air-Power VTC (75789). It has nearly the same specs as the Oasis, 8 CFM @ 90PSI, at nearly a third of the price. I was wondering if anyone has read any reviews on this unit? Seems like it might be the way to go. Just wanted to gather any opinions before I spend $600.

THANKS GUYS!

 

[WoldD90]

Personally, I would get a Powertank or similar, with a spare tank. Filling up 44's a 12v compressor would take for ever.

I get my 15# Powertank filled for $12.00. It is very easy to use, portable and will fill up a lot of tires. And, I have picked up spare steel 10# and 20# cylinders for $30 each off Craigslist.

 

[Martyn]

The big difference between the Extereme Outback vs. the Warn is reliability and the environments in which they will perform.

Exterme Outback compressors are completely torn down and rebuilt by George at his facility in Vacaville to meet Mil Specs.

They are the only compressors the Saudi Armed Forces will use under the hoods of the Land Rovers. The air temperatures in the Rub al Khali are regularly over 120'F, ( I know I've been there in the Summer), so you can imagine what the temps are under the hood.

For me a compressor is a must function item, and the $$$ is worth the peace of mind.

 

[dzzz]

Is the warn continuous duty?

Two less expensive compressor may work better. The problem with any less expensive compressor is believing the specs, and the duty cycle. I have 46 inch tires with 10cfm at 117 psi. That seems adequate, but with CTIS I don't need to sit and wait.
No other power option? PTO or hydraulic?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Personally, I would get a Powertank or similar, with a spare tank. Filling up 44's a 12v compressor would take for ever.

I get my 15# Powertank filled for $12.00. It is very easy to use, portable and will fill up a lot of tires. And, I have picked up spare steel 10# and 20# cylinders for $30 each off Craigslist.

CO2 makes the most sense imo for smaller tires, for a 44" tires needing a 30 psi increase, you couldn't even do the full set twice on a 20 lb tank. With a high output 12V compressor you might have a minute or two more per tire but you won't be refilling every trip or more.

The Oasis models are quite impressive, an expensive investment compared to traditional 12V compressors but the fact you can run an air tool is pretty respectable.

 

[rusty_tlc]

36" swampers and CO2 here, no complaints so far. I can get two fills from 0 to 28 psi plus blow dust off my gear every night for a few days on one 20# tank. You really don't have to fill to full road pressure at the trail head.

Long term an electric pump makes more sense, I think the pay back for me would be about two years compared to using CO2.

CO2 really shines when you start running air tools. The on demand aspect is great. Who wants to idle their truck all day doing a major repair?

 

[wikid]

Not sure if this is powerful enough but I know it works really well. 100% duty cycle l
http://www.beavervalleysupply.com/sectionb/puma.htm

Buzzard gulch has these for $199.00 and 12.50 shipping. I am using one for airing up my 35's.
It's worth a look at least.
Page #94 Buzzard Gulch, Inc.800-821-2932 Catalog N-1
NCPD-1006
12 Volt Mini Compressor
PUMA 135 PSI
1 Horsepower Air Compressor
Oil-Less Compressor
3.4 CFM @ 40 PSI
3 CFM @ 90 PSI
12 Volt (no hookups)
1.5 Gal Capacity
Pressure Switch
Weight 34 lbs
This one is in the 250.00 range that may be slightly better. I am impressed with how mine runs.
NCPD-1021
12 Volt Mini Compressor
PUMA 135 PSI
1 Horsepower Air Compressor
Oil-Less Compressor
Compact, Light Weight
3.4 CFM @ 40 PSI
3 CFM @ 90 PSI
12 Volt (no hookups)
2 Gal Capacity
Pressure Switch
Weight 42 lbs

 

[cruiseroutfit]

36" swampers and CO2 here, no complaints so far. I can get two fills from 0 to 28 psi plus blow dust off my gear every night for a few days on one 20# tank. You really don't have to fill to full road pressure at the trail head.

Agreed on 'smaller' tires. The volume of a 44" tire is grossly different. You get approx 1/3 the use with the 44" as you do the 35".

CO2 really shines when you start running air tools. The on demand aspect is great. Who wants to idle their truck all day doing a major repair?

High end electric pumps (which are also on demand) will run air tools without fail. The portability of CO2 is hard to beat, I like the fact I can bounce between rigs with it or haul it up to where a repair is needed.

 

[SixSpeed]

Thanks for the info guys, always good to hear opinions.

Personally, I would get a Powertank or similar, with a spare tank. Filling up 44's a 12v compressor would take for ever.

Powertank's are great, just not for a set of 44"s @ 60PSI. Even a 20lb tank probably wouldn't be enough to air up from 15psi on all four tires.

The big difference between the Extereme Outback vs. the Warn is reliability and the environments in which they will perform.

For me a compressor is a must function item, and the $$$ is worth the peace of mind.

I have no reason to suspect the Warn wouldn't be durable enough, do you? I know that the ExtremeAire compressors are very tough, but I would need three of them to cover what the Warn will do. I just can't imagine the ExtremeAire's being three times more durable. One can only speculate...

Is the warn continuous duty?

Two less expensive compressor may work better. The problem with any less expensive compressor is believing the specs, and the duty cycle. I have 46 inch tires with 10cfm at 117 psi. That seems adequate, but with CTIS I don't need to sit and wait.
No other power option? PTO or hydraulic?

Thanks for bringing that up, I actually don't know. I will have to contact Warn to find out.

I was considering two smaller units, but like you said I have run into some compressors I am weary of the performance space.

Unfortunately I don't have hydraulics. I do have PTO but didn't find any PTO Air Compressors that weren't some triple digit CFM $5000 unit. Though 400CFM would air up my tires pretty quick...

Not sure if this is powerful enough but I know it works really well. 100% duty cycle l
http://www.beavervalleysupply.com/sectionb/puma.htm

That is a pretty stout little compressor at a very reasonable price. It doesn't draw many amps for the output either. Thanks for the link!

Agreed on 'smaller' tires. The volume of a 44" tire is grossly different. You get approx 1/3 the use with the 44" as you do the 35".

Spot on. It takes forever to air up 44"'s, just part of the game.

 

[spressomon]

I dunno...air tools are air hogs. When I've used my impact with my CO2 tank I noticed that's a great way to empty $22 worth of CO2 fast.

In the process of converting from CO2 to a belt driven Sanden (thanks Rusty for finding it for me!!!). Based on the three York compressors we heavily relied on for air tools apart of our most recent Utah adventure: I'm sold.

 

[SixSpeed]

I dunno...air tools are air hogs. When I've used my impact with my CO2 tank I noticed that's a great way to empty $22 worth of CO2 fast.

Didn't think about that. many repairs on large trucks (which is what I wheel with) require a stout 3/4 drive impact. That will drain an air tank faster than just about anything I can think of.

 

[F5driver]

Not a bad price on the Warn at Quadratec

http://www.quadratec.com/products/9...utm_medium=compshop&utm_source=googlemerchant

 

[Martyn]

I dunno...air tools are air hogs. When I've used my impact with my CO2 tank I noticed that's a great way to empty $22 worth of CO2 fast.

In the process of converting from CO2 to a belt driven Sanden (thanks Rusty for finding it for me!!!). Based on the three York compressors we heavily relied on for air tools apart of our most recent Utah adventure: I'm sold.

I'm always impressed with your call to duty. If there is a product out there to be tested to and beyond it's usual and customary ability, you are the man to test it.

For years at AT we have used Dan as our resident tester. If something can survive just one single trip with spressomon it will last a lifetime for us mere mortals.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I dunno...air tools are air hogs. When I've used my impact with my CO2 tank I noticed that's a great way to empty $22 worth of CO2 fast.

In the process of converting from CO2 to a belt driven Sanden (thanks Rusty for finding it for me!!!). Based on the three York compressors we heavily relied on for air tools apart of our most recent Utah adventure: I'm sold.

Impact tools use a lot more CFM than an 3/8" air ratchet. You probably didn't run an impact tool long either. When you have a bunch of small fasteners to remove/replace ie birfield repair, diff swap, etc. CO2 will work all day long. I did a full diff swap on my FJ40 and still had enough left to air up my tires.

That said I will add a mechanical pump to my truck as soon as I figure out where to mount it.

As Kurt mentioned the other plus for CO2 and electric pumps is that you can move them from rig to rig easily. Great if you own more than one truck.

 

[1leglance]

I ran an Extreme Outback High Output (4cfm) on my FJ Cruiser and the Sportmobile has the magnum (6cfm).
Both used a 2gal tank.
What I like is that I can run an impact for short enough burst to break something loose, then an air ratchet as needed.
I also have all kinds of air for tires, cleaning the interior, blowing out the air filter, and more stuff I think of everyday.
I can't imagine the Warn being a better compressor than the Extreme Outbacks, especially with all the abuse my FJ Cruiser one took on the roof rack and the Sportmobile one takes mounted upside down under the rig.

Keep us posted on whatever you go with.