ARB AIR Compressor for my 93cruiser

[cc93cruiser]

I wanted to buy a ARB Compressor for my cruiser with the sole purpose of inflating tires when I am done off roading. I wanted to know if you have to buy anything seperate besides the compressor itself, or when you buy the compressor it comes with all this hardware (to inflat tires). If so, were can I buy this hardware, what specific parts or kit do I need, from where?

 

[Rich]

My impression is that the arb compressor is a bit light weight for tire inflation. The amount of air required for tire inflation is quite a bit more than the volume of air required for operating arb lockers. I would look at the Thomas range of industrial 12 volt compressors, and go the the one that offers the hightest cfm, presuming the cost is within your budget.

Here is a good link http://george4wd.taskled.com/compressor.html.

 

[CruisinGA]

No way I would consider an ARB compressor (or most any electric compressor) for primarily inflating tires.

You will get tired of how long it takes the very first time you use it.

They are great when used just for air lockers.

Get CO2 for filling tires...

 

[sleeoffroad]

2nd that. ARB compressor will puke it's guts before you are done inflating tires.

 

[NorCalDoug]

I have a Viair 400P model. It fits in a canvas bag. It works fairly well. Not as fast as CO2, but you don't have to worry about refills...
Got mine at Central 4WD a couple years ago. They still have them.
As others said, don't go with the little ARB for tires.

If you want a compressor, pick up either a portable model similar to mine or mount a larger compressor under the hood. Check on Christo's site, I think he still sells some. You can get them at most 4wd places.

Lots of people are going with CO2. It's a nice option. Very fast. The only downside is that you need to remember to fill the tank occasionally.

If I were to do it again...I'd go with CO2...and may do that down the line...

 

[Rich]

If I were to go with CO2 I would explore what would be required to fill a small bottle from a large tank at home. That way would only have to go to the supplier once in a great while.

Christo, what equipment do you use in your shop to do refills?

 

[Biff]

I wouldn't go with an ARB compressor to inflate tires, to weak. Give the Vlair or Extreme air a try. Or a CO2 set up.

 

[sleeoffroad]

You need a 50lb bottle with a dip tube and a hi pressure transfer hose. We now use a Nitrous pump as well. If you use the transfer with the bottle only, you have to freeze the small bottle first. This does not always work. Hence the nitrous pump.

 

[PKP80]

CO2, cheaper and MUCH faster than ARB compressor. Out on a trail we got 3 rig aired up with time to spare in the time that it took one rig to air up with the ARB (tire size were 31-33 on all trucks).

-Sam-

 

[reffug]

As previously said by everyone don't do it. Tried it with mine and my god it is frustrating and takes way to long. Go CO2 you will be alot happier.

 

[OZCAL]

ARB makes a portable "toolbox" compressor for airing up tires. Does anyone have experience with it? I thought it was the same output as their permanently mounted locker compressor .

I'd been thinking about picking one up too, with the idea that I'd use it to air up, and eventually add ARB lockers...

David

 

[Bob_Garrett]

I tried using an ARB compressor for airing up the 33s that I used to run. Took forever and the compressor started blowing fuses on the 3rd wheeling trip. ARB replaced the compressor under warranty and I switched to Co2. Much faster and no more compressor problems.

Bob

 

[OZCAL]

That's a shame. I was planning on getting the ARB compressor installed with the notion of getting lockers "some day." The ARB marketing materials really lead one to believe the portable (same performance as hard mounted) compressor is satisfactory for airing up. And I'm sure they aren't targeting the "rubber inner-tube floating down the Truckee River" crowd either; they aren't for sale in K-Mart...

http://arb.com.au/

If they are that slow, they wouldn't suit my Queensland needs, which are usually airing up quickly after crawling off the deep sand on the beach, with a car full of sandy, tired, have to pee folk (including me) who don't want to sit on the side of the road for any period of time. On the other hand I don't want to drive 5 to 10 kilometers to the petrol station on the road with 20 lbs in the tires .

So I think for me the Powertank is the way to go.

 

[alvarorb]

The only tires I've been able to inflate very quickly with the ARB compressor are bicycle tires. It generates a lot of pressure, but does not move any appreciable amount of air.
Go C02. Save the ARB compressor for the ARB lockers.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[MaddBaggins]

I am glad this post came up because I was going to get a compressor for airing up and for future lockers. I guess I'll be getting a can. Right now I carry a $20 cheapy compressor just for emergency. It fills about 1psi per minute when I have used it.