Compressor

[Two89w Member Find all posts View Profile Close Two89w]

I am in the market for a portable compressor to re inflate the tyres when required.

There are a gazillion on the market. I don't want a compressor that is going to take a month of Sundays to do the job.

Any recommendations of what will fit the bill and what won't?

[CamJam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CamJam]

I am in the market for a portable compressor to re inflate the tyres when required.

There are a gazillion on the market. I don't want a compressor that is going to take a month of Sundays to do the job.

Any recommendations of what will fit the bill and what won't?

You don't provide a price, or whether you want to mount it to a car/ free standing.

I bought a Ridge Ryder Air from Supercheap Auto down from $275 to $169 on one of their numerous sales. It was excellent, and I would highly recommend it. Did all four tyres without any issues and quickly, never slowed and had plenty of length in the pipes and accessories. Really good value (on sale - and it is at the moment for $180 but it will likely go a little lower eventually to $160).

It couldn't be vehicle mounted, however, and so I sold it (you can get them on Ebay for $120 or so - that's what mine sold for) and bought an ARB one that was an external/ carry case one but I mounted it to the car. That way it doesn't take up room in the back (they are large and heavy) and I will never forget it. That cost around $500 installed I think (all prices are in ARB catalogue).

I can't help you if you're like the Supercheap customer I ran into the other week asking for the same advice, but with an unwillingness to spend any more than $40...

If you go the ARB route - and can wait - recommend finding when the next 4WD show is that you have in your area and getting a deal there...

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

Having been through a few compressors, I believe that there are three key things to look for;

1. Reliability - will it keep working even in hot and tough conditions, its pretty pointless having a compressor that dies when you get bogged up to the axles on a +40C day (speaking from experience).

2. Duty cycle - how quickly will it pump tyres, how long can it keep doing it.

3. Ease of use - Does it have auto stop/start when you disconnect (really great feature that you will want once you have used it), and does it have a good quality pressure gauge (preferably digital) with air release.

After looking around for a replacement recently based on my three criteria I settled on a BUSHRANGER MAX AIR III. Best compressor that I have owned to date and pretty good price for what you get. The ARB is also very good but quite a bit more expensive especially once you add the high quality gauge that comes with the Bushranger and even though I really like the plastic box it comes in, it prevents ventilation.

[Guest Close Guest]

ARB. Great unit. Nuff said.

[Guest Close Guest]

I'm not a fan of Arb. After having the gudgeon pin of 2 of them snap and nothing but stuff around I wouldn't buy one again.

I run VIA AIR now and love them. 100% duty cycle and excellent airflow. Good for 200psi. Pumped up 9 tyres recently in the time my mates ARB took do do his 4.

It pays to look around and understand the specs. A lot of brands post the free flow air rate at 0 psi. Find out what they do at 35 psi. That's a true indication.

[Phs Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Phs]

ViAir are good,

In the 4wd market Bushranger use Viair compressor so that's the best way to get one setup for our use. They are also are fairly compact

ARB are ok, hoses can be prone to pop, there not at the level of quality as Thomas or viair in my opinion.

Opposite locks mean green and blue tongues are good but don't know where you can get them anymore
Thomas makes the blue tongue and big red compressors. 4wdstore sell viair and Thomas pumps

Dr air units are also ok.

I have had a fair few compressors over the years,
Thomas being the best
And Ironman being the worst.

[Two89w Member Find all posts View Profile Close Two89w]

I'm not a fan of Arb. After having the gudgeon pin of 2 of them snap and nothing but stuff around I wouldn't buy one again.

I run VIA AIR now and love them. 100% duty cycle and excellent airflow. Good for 200psi. Pumped up 9 tyres recently in the time my mates ARB took do do his 4.

It pays to look around and understand the specs. A lot of brands post the free flow air rate at 0 psi. Find out what they do at 35 psi. That's a true indication.

What model viair compressor do you have?

[Guest Close Guest]

Have a look at "air on board" or via air site. I have a few of them in different vehicles. I run a 480C in the 120. 200psi. 1.86cfm. I also have 28 litres of air tank storage

[ADVTIME Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ADVTIME]

Not a fan of ARB either but only due to my local suppliers reputation not so much the gear.

I do however have one of their compressors as in my opinion think they are one of the better ones available. It has a pressure cut off switch and I managed to fit it nicely in the engine bay with one of AMTS compressor brackets next to my water fuel separator.

Mines been down the Gibb a few times (saved me on a number of occasions after 7 flats in one trip), jumped it along the Finke Track and been into Arnhem Land on a number of occasions. Every now and then I get the hose up around the engine bay and spray out all the red dust from around the compressor and it still goes great.

Main reason I went the ARB compressor was because of seeing my old mans still going strong after almost 20 years of use the only problem being a faulty relay, that was including it being submerged in the tide and us as little tackers putting the leads around the wrong way and what not trying to pump up our bike tyres.

Also reasonably compact for a sturdy compressor. I don't usually vouch for ARB gear, but I would recommend the compressors.

[OzDriver Member Find all posts View Profile Close OzDriver]

I bought a DR AIR AIR COMPRESSOR 12V 150PSI from Autobhan that was on sale. Seems good from early usage and was well reviewed by magazine tests.
Quite a few seems so similar that I think they come off the same production line.
Model is: https://www.autoelec.com.au/dr-air-p...wd-action-maga
I also purchased this gauge (0-60 PSI) which works well: http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Pro...-60-PSI/284480

[OzDriver Member Find all posts View Profile Close OzDriver]

Just spotted the Dr Air model for $199 at https://www.motoquipe.com.au/ (free shipping) - similar to what I paid.

[Freos Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Freos]

For those with ARB compressor - I am trying to work out the best place to mount it (under bonnet or in cabin ?). Any suggestions would be great and pictures even better. I have (2015 150 Prado VX) ?

[Nova Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nova]

Under the bonnet. Amts makes a neat mount to put in the back passengers corner. You could also mount it somewhere in the rear behind the plastic (passengers side also).

I have mine under the bonnet and it works well. You need the bonnet up to use it so engine heat isn't an issue.

Cheers,
Nova

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

For those with ARB compressor - I am trying to work out the best place to mount it (under bonnet or in cabin ?). Any suggestions would be great and pictures even better. I have (2015 150 Prado VX) ?

I'm getting my ARB fitted next week and will be putting it under either the drivers or passenger seat. Plenty of room there and you don't need to pop the bonnet to pump up tyres. Whilst they're rated fine to go in the engine bay at least they stay clean under the seats and don't get as hot.

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

I'm getting my ARB fitted next week and will be putting it under either the drivers or passenger seat. Plenty of room there and you don't need to pop the bonnet to pump up tyres. Whilst they're rated fine to go in the engine bay at least they stay clean under the seats and don't get as hot.

I wouldn't be worried out engine bay temps - when you're airing up you'll find the compressor gets a WHOLE LOT hotter than ambient!

Plus, you're going to be running the engine to power it anyway, so why have all that extra heat and noise under your seat?