Selecting an air compressor - What to look for?

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

One big thing with a tank is it gives you more chance of a larger volume puff for trying to re-seat a tyre bead. This is the biggest test of a compressor (and probably more so, the operator )
I remember one trip where a guy punctured a tyre which broke the bead seal..tyre fixed easily..but after an hour or so around the campfire using all manner of trickery, including the ratchet strap trick, the only solution was to drive it into town the next day.

To reseat a bead simply pump another tyre up to a high pressure, say 60psi, make sure you have the valve out of the deflated tyre. Then attach a hose to the valve stem, remove the valve from the inflated tyre and slip the hose on. Its just like having a tank full of air. I would avoid the ratchet strap trick as this has the potential to be very dangerous.

Cheers Andrew

[Allfour4x4 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Allfour4x4]

Good idea! Probably the only thing NOT tried...though I do recall Malcolm Douglas showing the spare as a source of air on one of his shows.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Good idea! Probably the only thing NOT tried...though I do recall Malcolm Douglas showing the spare as a source of air on one of his shows.

So did you try the bicycle tube trick as well?? If the above failed that would be my next move.

Cheers Andrew

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

One big thing with a tank is it gives you more chance of a larger volume puff for trying to re-seat a tyre bead. This is the biggest test of a compressor (and probably more so, the operator )
I remember one trip where a guy punctured a tyre which broke the bead seal..tyre fixed easily..but after an hour or so around the campfire using all manner of trickery, including the ratchet strap trick, the only solution was to drive it into town the next day.

A bit off topic I know, but if things get desperate you can always use a bit of butane to reseat a tyre. Here is a blog off Exploroz that pretty well covers its use, what to do and what not to do. Mick O's blogs are a bit of a legend on Exploroz, I find them of interest because he gets to go to Rudall River more than I do.

http://www.exploroz.com/Members/9295...2fDefault.aspx

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

Yeah,
The Butane thing does work.
My son used it on a mates Patrol that dropped 2 tyres. Great entertainment value, too.
But then He (like all males I think) is a pyromaniac. And he still has eyebrows.

You need to quickly adjust the pressure afterwards, as it will cool and may dropp off the bead again. (or alternatively be over pressurised)

Cheers

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

Hi Fellas. Air receivers off a truck do the trick and will fit in numerous positions under the prado. One real bonus with using a 1/2" hose and ARO coupling in conjuction with a receiver is you can use a 1/2" drive rattler on your wheel nuts and other large nuts. Also good flow for blowing out your air filters. Cheers.

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

I'm thinking of buying a TJM Portable Compressor "013TJMCOMP" for $220 (as of 08/08/11) which is the current model they sell. I just want to use it to re-inflate 4 tyres after 4wding once a month approx. I'm just wondering if anybody has used one or can vouch for one as being a good compressor to buy. I've never owned one before so don't really know what to expect from them. I wouldn't mount it in the engine bay as I'd prefer to take it out and place it on the ground so it can be used amongst other vehicles parked elsewhere if need be.
Stats: 72 litres/min airflow, draw = 30amps, weight = 5.5kg, includes carry bag and 7.2m of hose, 5 year warranty.

[jjgsxr1000 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jjgsxr1000]

Ive got the Ebay BBT Jobbie & it inflates 3 tyres to my mates ARB ont that does 4 in the same time.
I can live with that for the cost savings :-)

Regards, Jay.

[QLD4505 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close QLD4505]

When I was at the Brisbane 4x4 show I was talking to the rep for Bushranger compressors he told me that the company that builds there compressors also builds the ARB compressor.

[ianafloat Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ianafloat]

Hi,
I just got a Projecta Cyclone off ebay, it was brand new not used for 45$ bucks, it's a good solid unit, for the money I think it will be good value, if you have time to wait around, bargins come up.

[mickmac_42 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mickmac_42]

I just bought a Projecta Typhoon off ebay for $167 delivered. I did want to buy it from Repco but it seems they no longer stock it. Instead, the've put their name on another Chinese built compressor. I was speaking with the manager about it and he had no idea about the product except that it costs more than what they sold the Typhoon for. Having only heard good things about the Typhoon i risked the ebay purchase. It arrived the other day and today i gave it a spin while recalibrating my tyre deflators.

I was very impressed with what i saw. It was much quieter than my old Supercheap compressor which would squeal and jump around on the ground. The typhoon has rubber studs on the base plate which keep it stable and minimise sound from vibration. I pumped an 18" tyre from 18psi to 40psi in a minute flat. It did 18psi to 30 psi in no time, and had slowed considerably when it got to 40psi.

It may be more bulky than the ARB compressor and it can't run an airlocker, but it does the job i need and for only a little more the half the price. We'll see if it lasts.

Mike

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Does anyone have one of the ARB CKMTP12s or CKMTA12s? I am looking at migrating the Bluetongue to the ute and fitting a bigger compressor in the 120. I reckon that I can get the ARB double header into the winch space of the bar with the receiver but the local ARB places I have spoken with haven't fitted a 'TA12' to a wagon and just sell the 'TP12' to be stowed in the back. Will get out for a test fit soon but just throwing it out there to find out what people think. The Twin tongue Bluetongue isn't suitable for the location and the ARB is now 100% duty cycle for what I need and the pricing is about the same.

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