ARB Air Comp Delimma - Are the New Ones Better than the POS I Have Now? (1 Viewer)

[Sputnik40]

Does anyone have any feedback on the newer ARB compressors - they seem to be a better quality than the prior model??? $250 from local 4-wheel parts - that's steep - is it worth it???

Ok - First off, I have had an ARB air locker for several years - love it, ran it with 4.11's and now 4.56's - no issues thus far.

The compressor is another story. It's the cast pot metal version - and it suks - Big Time. Froze once took it apart and got it working again. Froze again and ARB replaced it (past warranty I believe) for which I was very thankful. Froze a 3rd time - disassembled and it worked for a few more years.

In May the seal gave it up - finally got around to ordering new seals. Well it's sat in storage since mid May - and I got to R&R the seal last night and the motor is froze again (piston). I'm tired of taking that POS off the firewall and fixing - that and part of the pot metal krap is cracked (heat, impacts, who knows).

Option 1: Build a manifold for the switches and just keep it plugged into my CO2 tank.

Option 2: Go spend big money and buy another - or a Quickair, etc.

Option 3: Don't want to go thru the hassle of a York - too busy and have too many other projects on hold.

Thoughts. Feedback. Anybody want to sell their old stainless steel ARB compressor (heard they'd much better).

 

[Sputnik40]

Here's a pic of the new style - hard to track down on the net?

ARB CKMA12 Hi-Output On-Board Air Compressor (CKMA12)

 

[Cirbo]

I actually like the older style better. Mine has served me well for 14 years.

Edit: Oops... just saw your line about the old ones.

 

[Sputnik40]

I actually like the older style better. Mine has served me well for 14 years.

Edit: Oops... just saw your line about the old ones.

Were you at GSMTR? If so, you're prolly the one telling me how satisfied you were with the old SS version - I'm too young to know about those .

 

[Cirbo]

The last time I was at GSMTR was 1989.... (which tells you how old I am!)

I actually do have another one of those old ones in the shop..... I need to check if it's going to be installed in the current project truck or not.

 

[digger]

ARB Comp.

I've had the same problem w/ my compressor also. W/ was there repair policy? I was thinking about giving them a call to see if they could repair it.

 

[Sputnik40]

I've had the same problem w/ my compressor also. W/ was there repair policy? I was thinking about giving them a call to see if they could repair it.

If you've only had it a year or so - they may take yours and exchange it for a rebuilt unit. They did that for me once and I was really impressed with that type of service policy - still doesn't make up for it being a defective part.

Bought the new version last night - would have cost me $40 or $50 in parts to build a manifold and run an airline to the engine compartment to use my C02 tank - so I bit the bullet in the hopes I can use my old harness and just swap in the new compressor and pressure switch. Kinda in a rush to make a run this weekend - and have other bigger problems to fix otherwise I'd find another solution.

I'll be tearing down the old one (again) to see if I can't get it running again - but more than likely will just toss in the garbage.

 

[rusty_tlc]

If you've only had it a year or so - they may take yours and exchange it for a rebuilt unit. They did that for me once and I was really impressed with that type of service policy - still doesn't make up for it being a defective part.

Bought the new version last night - would have cost me $40 or $50 in parts to build a manifold and run an airline to the engine compartment to use my C02 tank - so I bit the bullet in the hopes I can use my old harness and just swap in the new compressor and pressure switch. Kinda in a rush to make a run this weekend - and have other bigger problems to fix otherwise I'd find another solution.

I'll be tearing down the old one (again) to see if I can't get it running again - but more than likely will just toss in the garbage.

Which one did you get? I have the CKSA12 in the UZJ100 and I like it.
I was suprised reading your OP I've had the RDCKA in my FJ40 for 12 or 15 years with no issues. I replaced the cylinder/rings/seals a few years back but that was basicaly a PM.

 

[Sputnik40]

Which one did you get? I have the CKSA12 in the UZJ100 and I like it.
I was suprised reading your OP I've had the RDCKA in my FJ40 for 12 or 15 years with no issues. I replaced the cylinder/rings/seals a few years back but that was basicaly a PM.

I think the one I got is the next up from the CKSA - which I think was stated as being an air locker compressor only, and the next up is a 70 - 100 psi compressor with a duty cycle that allows for some minor air tank or tire filling....very much appreciate your feedback on the newer style.

Yeah - my thought is that I used to live on Singer Island (between the Atlantic and Intracoastal) and am now on the mainland 6 blocks from the Intra coastal. Perhaps the filter can't handle the humid salt air - even thought it mostly gets used up in the Carolina's.

That and maybe I just beat on my junk too much. Must just be me - and not liking that cheaper pot metal housing. I dunno.

 

[bsevans]

I've never had a problem with mine and have had it for a number of years.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I think the one I got is the next up from the CKSA - which I think was stated as being an air locker compressor only, and the next up is a 70 - 100 psi compressor with a duty cycle that allows for some minor air tank or tire filling....very much appreciate your feedback on the newer style.

Yeah - my thought is that I used to live on Singer Island (between the Atlantic and Intracoastal) and am now on the mainland 6 blocks from the Intra coastal. Perhaps the filter can't handle the humid salt air - even thought it mostly gets used up in the Carolina's.

That and maybe I just beat on my junk too much. Must just be me - and not liking that cheaper pot metal housing. I dunno.

IMHO all of the ARB compressors are worthless for anything except running lockers, if you ask them to do more they will fail. Thats why this time I went with the smaller one. With no tank it can pressurize the system so fast I don't even have it on a separate switch. I just ran it parallel with the locker solenoid. There is maybe a 15 to 20 sec lag between flipping the switch and the locker engaging.

 

[Poser]

Thats why this time I went with the smaller one. With no tank it can pressurize the system so fast I don't even have it on a separate switch. There is maybe a 15 to 20 sec lag between flipping the switch and the locker engaging.

15 to 20 second lag is fast?





RDCKA has been in my junk for over ten years now...no issues. Before that, it was the earlier compressor, installed in 1992, and did not have any issues with that one either.

 

[D'Animal]

I run Viar 480C's on my rigs. No problems or complaints.

One thing the shop I bought it from said to do was "point the piston up or point the piston down. Do not point the piston any other direction" or you will have all the problems you listing in your first post.

Maybe a coincidence.

 

[Poser]

Does anyone have any feedback on the newer ARB compressors - they seem to be a better quality than the prior model??? $250 from local 4-wheel parts - that's steep - is it worth it???

Ok - First off, I have had an ARB air locker for several years - love it, ran it with 4.11's and now 4.56's - no issues thus far.

The compressor is another story. It's the cast pot metal version - and it suks - Big Time. Froze once took it apart and got it working again. Froze again and ARB replaced it (past warranty I believe) for which I was very thankful. Froze a 3rd time - disassembled and it worked for a few more years.

In May the seal gave it up - finally got around to ordering new seals. Well it's sat in storage since mid May - and I got to R&R the seal last night and the motor is froze again (piston). I'm tired of taking that POS off the firewall and fixing - that and part of the pot metal krap is cracked (heat, impacts, who knows).

Please post up pictures of where you have this air compressor mounted.....

 

[njshofear]

IMO get yourself a viair....awsome C/S. I have a bunch of their stuff in my Frontier for the OBA setup i use for filling tires/etc after wheeling. 100% duty cycle (atleast the 450c i have). Lives in the bed of a truck for 2yrs now and works as well as the day i installed it. Basically is allways on (pressure switch) unless the tank is full (slight leak, so it goes on atleast 1x a day)

 

[Poser]

IMO get yourself a viair....awsome C/S. I have a bunch of their stuff in my Frontier for the OBA setup i use for filling tires/etc after wheeling. 100% duty cycle (atleast the 450c i have). Lives in the bed of a truck for 2yrs now and works as well as the day i installed it. Basically is allways on (pressure switch) unless the tank is full (slight leak, so it goes on atleast 1x a day)

Please start a thread and post up some pictures of this.

 

[rusty_tlc]

15 to 20 second lag is fast?





RDCKA has been in my junk for over ten years now...no issues. Before that, it was the earlier compressor, installed in 1992, and did not have any issues with that one either.

I've never timed it. I know it's not an objectionable amount of time.
Sounds like a good excuse to take it out in the hills this weekend.

 

[D'Animal]

I've never timed it. I know it's not an objectionable amount of time.
Sounds like a good excuse to take it out in the hills this weekend.

You will have to calculate for elevation. Mine fill the tank and builds pressure a bit slower at 9,000ft elevation.

 

[njshofear]

Please start a thread and post up some pictures of this.

ill have to get some when i get back from vaca....im leaving later tonight and will be gone for 2 weeks. Its a really simple setup, a peice of sealed plywood (for vibration dampening) that is mounted to the track system with a modified stock cleat and then the tank and compressor are mounted to that. That way its easily removable, and zero vibrations in the bed from the compressor running. (i used a powerwinch cable and socket from a boat winch for a power supply so i can unplug it)

 

[Sputnik40]

I run Viar 480C's on my rigs. No problems or complaints.

One thing the shop I bought it from said to do was "point the piston up or point the piston down. Do not point the piston any other direction" or you will have all the problems you listing in your first post.

Maybe a coincidence.

Mounted to the firewall - hence the piston is horizontal (not up and down). Interesting observation...