Portable Air Compressor

[ramv]

Anyone using a Viair 400 or 450 (or automatic in either?) Should I be considering a different choice?

[Vee]

I have the Viair 400p. Works great, I use it all the time. I have yet to have it shut off from duty cycle and I air up from 18psi to 50-60psi with 35in tires.

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[olyelr]

Why not consider ARB?

I think this is something comparable to the Viair 400

https://www.amazon.com/ARB-CKMP12-Perfo ... compressor


And if you got money to blow!

https://www.amazon.com/ARB-CKMTP12-Perf ... compressor

[Ducky's Dad]

I have a Viair portable and used it until I installed OBA on the PW. Don't remember whether it's a 300 or a 400, but it worked fine as long as it was clipped to the battery terminals. Wouldn't want to use it with the cig lighter adapter that came with it. Also have the ARB single linked above, and it does not move as much air as the Viair but has a better duty cycle. The ARB twin portable is a lot more money and has a tendency to overheat, but reputation is bullet proof other than that.

[ramv]

The 400 automatic is about $100 cheaper than the regular ARB and the 400 without the auto shutoff is $150 cheaper. If it was $50 I may lean towards the ARB (have had a few of their earlier ones, slow, first one died, went with a mini the second time since it was just for the locker.)

[trk4sale]

These are nice

https://www.extremeoutback.com/product/ ... 7-001.html

[zigsrig]

Does anyone have the ARB Twin compressor installed on their PW? I have one (under hood mount) on my JK and I love it.

Im looking for suggestions as to where to mount it, other than in the floor cubby (mine on my JK gets pretty hot, I wouldn't feel good about it working in there...)

[olyelr]

Does anyone have the ARB Twin compressor installed on their PW? I have one (under hood mount) on my JK and I love it.

Im looking for suggestions as to where to mount it, other than in the floor cubby (mine on my JK gets pretty hot, I wouldn't feel good about it working in there...)

I have not seen an arb dual compressor in person, but it seems it would have to fit somewhere under the hood. I know there isnt much room under there, but it just seems like it would snake in somewhere with a custom made mount.

[TwinStick]

Thats why I am a big fan of the ARB Twin Kit in the box. Easily moved from one vehicle to another & easy to store. They are pricey, thats 1 reason I dont have one yet, the other reason is, my inverter will run my small Craftsman home air compressor. When space becomes an issue, I may end up getting one.

[ramv]

I ordered a the Viair 400PA, and a set of Quick air deflators.

Was originally going to go with the big ARB, but a lot of coin. My Powertank gives me the rate/pressure when needed. And is silent.

[olyelr]

I ordered a the Viair 400PA, and a set of Quick air deflators.

Was originally going to go with the big ARB, but a lot of coin. My Powertank gives me the rate/pressure when needed. And is silent.

Nice.

Maybe you can shed some light on the subject for me. The 400PA has a 33% duty cycle and 2.3CFM, while the 450PA has a 100% duty cycle but only 1.8 CFM. And on their website, they have the 450 designated for the larger tires. Why? What is duty cycle?

[olyelr]

Duty Cycle is percentage of time a unit can run (typically over 10 minutes). 33% would be able to run for 3:20 out of every 10 minutes.

The key part of the Viair spec is 33% at 100 psi. It can run longer at lower PSI. It wouldn't be very good at dealing with being plumbed into a tank.

I've used mine on multiple trips to air up 33s and/or 37s. Usually quick enough to let another guy borrow it and finish his tires before some of the other group with cheaper/smaller units. It is hot enough I don't put it back in the bag at that point, let it ride in the bed to cool off.

Gotchya, thanks for the reply. Yeah, I see their website states the 400 can be operated for up to 40 minutes before it needs to be rested, but only up to 40 PSI.

[DamageWagon]

I believe I have the 400P and use it all the time. It works and hasn't died yet, and I do all four tires at once up to 40-45 psi, but they aren't big tires. If I did it again I would do a constant-duty compressor and small air tank mounted just behind the cab under the bed with a pressure switch and a manual toggle switch. When I know I'm going off-road I could throw the switch on, allowing the manual to take over and then the compressor would fill the tank to pressure. Then it comes back on when filling the tires.

I like the portable compressors for what they are, but every one of them is pretty slow. I'm not going to spend the money to get a fast one. That's gas money. I have a York AC compressor I am trying to figure out how to mount to my engine. If you have a 3rd gen you can buy a mounting bracket for the York to bolt right onto your Hemi, and you would have ultra reliable air up to 150-200psi and constant duty cycle at 10cfm.

One thing I also want to do is to plumb the compressor to two regulators, each set at the psi you want your on-road pressure of an axle. Run two lines up front from one, two lines to the back with the other. Plug the compressor into a wye that runs to both. Turn compressor on and walk away and have a beer worth it....


Sent from my safe space

[adeluca73]

Here's my top three for that specific usage criteria:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00VROSS ... PDKIKX0DER

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004P9A3 ... PDKIKX0DER

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000X9EG ... PDKIKX0DER

[ramv]

Thanks, good list Adeluca, that's where I ended up too.

I went 400 versus the 450 since I'm not running a tank or a continuous flow, just for airing up a flat tire, trailer tires, or adding some PSI to the tires between on/off road, I thought the higher rate/lower duty cycle would be a better fit.

Main thing was I was considering another $70 slime "emergency" one or something better. The Slime has worked okay for me when needed but the cord was damaged and it just wasn't that great.

[coder]

Hello ramv,

I have a MF-1089 Diablo Air Compressor it's not as sexy as the Viair but it can be had for about $135, can inflate a 35" tire in a few of minutes, has a 40 minute duty cycle and has lasted me for many years with no problems.

http://www.masterflowair.com/mf-1089-di ... ompressor/

[RustyPW]

I bought a Super-Flo compressor back in '09 for $69.00 from Target on-line. The thing has been through hell with Moab, Rausch Creek, and the grand kids. It has never let me down. It does get hot! It's not the fastest or the best, but it works given the price. I did modded the air hose on it. I added a 50ft extension. Here's a link to it.

http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246636

[rkgzx9leftcoast]

Good info... I was considering a small copressor, or maybe a PowerTank? anyone have any experience with one of them?

https://powertank.com/cat-off-road

[Colibri]

I've had a 15 pounder for a few years. It's by far faster than any portable compressor and it's quiet. Its also large and somewhat heavy. Cost about 20$ to fill and get 5-6 air ups from 20 to 45psi on my 37's plus some air tool time.

[DannyMK2]

ive been pretty happy with my viair 440p. 20-60psi on the stock tires takes about 4 mins a piece, and do all 4 tires within the duty cycle. it not being an automatic pump hasnt bothered me at all since i can just connect it, walk away and do something else while its filling without having to hold the gun. for reference, my buddies 450p took just over 6 minutes to fill one tire when i tried it out.

[ramv]

I have 20 lb power tank. Works awesome if you need to pop a bead on, run an impact wrench or air up quick. Great tool. CO2 is amazing in this application.

Big, heavy, can run out are the downsides.

[jailor97]

Might not be a sexy brand, but it gets the job done.

https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2781- ... B004K25GMG

[rkgzx9leftcoast]

I've had a 15 pounder for a few years. It's by far faster than any portable compressor and it's quiet. Its also large and somewhat heavy. Cost about 20$ to fill and get 5-6 air ups from 20 to 45psi on my 37's plus some air tool time.

Thanks good info...

[rkgzx9leftcoast]

I have 20 lb power tank. Works awesome if you need to pop a bead on, run an impact wrench or air up quick. Great tool. CO2 is amazing in this application.

Big, heavy, can run out are the downsides.

Thanks for the info, I am leaning this way ... have to get something soon.

[gtomike60]

I recently got the portable ARB twin pump setup