ARB Dual Air Compressor and a Lithium LiFePO4 aux Battery

[bloc]

That would definitely explain the lack of flow rate and pressure despite the angry bee sound. Seems dodgy as hell.

 

[DPA200]

Any part defect should be covered by the manufacturer, but did the installer give you a limited warranty or guarantee on workmanship? Seems like they would if they were a professional outfit.

“professional outfit”, good one . I thought they were last January when I paid my deposit and they started ordering everything . Had a real shop and decent online reviews all of full builds. Then some months later they got evicted from the shop. I tried to pull out at that point, but they said they had a new shop lined up and a temp shop to work out of. It was then that after they had my truck that my 4 day install turned into 2 months, which Is where the “mad rush” came to deliver my truck 1 day after we were supposed to leave on vacation. So, combo of factors where this went downhill, but when the whole thing started it all appeared much more like a “professional outfit” than anybody would say now.

 

[sdnative]

Sorry to hear this. Hopefully things will work out to your satisfaction.

 

[John McVicker]

I hate to even think about giving advice on your prob since I am by no reckoning super knowledgeable on this…but but I’ve installed 2 USED ARB’s. One on my 40 & one on my 60…tomorrow I will remove the one on my 60 & install a brand new ARB CKMA12. I’ve had to do a bunch of troubleshooting…so here are my thoughts on your issues:

A) tighten all electrical connections
B) replace all missing bolts etc
C) turn the compressor on…w/o using any air…tell us how long it takes for it to automatically shut off. S/B about a minute or less…mine takes 35-45 seconds. EDIT: just installed my new ARB CKMA12, it fills up & stops pumping within 10 seconds…so fast that I wasted 15 mins looking for a blown fuse and/or loose wires.
D) look, feel and listen for any leaks. I suspect you have leaks. Use a spray bottle of water with dish soap to locate leaks. Check every connection…including the pressure sender and all gaskets And ‘O’ rings.

I suspect you have leaks…maybe multiple leaks…if so they MUST be addressed. These compressors are really fairly simple. If it sounds like bees…the compressor part is working…if it fills up the tanks but never stops…or does stop but restarts soon after, you have leaks that must be addressed. Once the tanks are filled and it stops running it should hold air for hours.

They are simple machines, if you can spare the time I suggest doing the sleuthing yourself.

 

[DPA200]

I hate to even think about giving advice on your prob since I am by no reckoning super knowledgeable on this…but but I’ve installed 2 USED ARB’s. One on my 40 & one on my 60…tomorrow I will remove the one on my 60 & install a brand new ARB CKMA12. I’ve had to do a bunch of troubleshooting…so here are my thoughts on your issues:

A) tighten all electrical connections
B) replace all missing bolts etc
C) turn the compressor on…w/o using any air…tell us how long it takes for it to automatically shut off. S/B about a minute or less…mine takes 35-45 seconds
D) look, feel and listen for any leaks. I suspect you have leaks. Use a spray bottle of water with dish soap to locate leaks. Check every connection…including the pressure sender and all gaskets And ‘O’ rings.

I suspect you have leaks…maybe multiple leaks…if so they MUST be addressed. These compressors are really fairly simple. If it sounds like bees…the compressor part is working…if it fills up the tanks but never stops…or does stop but restarts soon after, you have leaks that must be addressed. Once the tanks are filled and it stops running it should hold air for hours.

They are simple machines, if you can spare the time I suggest doing the sleuthing yourself.

Thanks for the tips. I ended up buying a new ARB compressor from SDHQ and having my master-tech over at Lexus do the install. Still trying to get the original shop that did the original install to refund me some of the cost of all this. Been going back and forth with them trying to recoup what labor $$$ I can, and return the broken compressor back to them. No conclusion on any of that part yet, but still working on it.

Other than the broken compressor (multiple leaks, too thin wire for the long length), most of the rest of the wiring work appears to have been done correct. For the new compressor he ended up pulling the compressor wire from the cargo area Aux lithium battery, and instead wiring straight over to the start battery. He replaced the air chuck on the back bumper which was some odd size, and everything has worked since then. He did go through all the wiring and it all otherwise appears to be the correct gauges and fused in all the correct spots.

Some odd's and ends the Lexus tech cleaned up several other things as well. 1 drawer latch wouldn't latch which he was able to fix. The generic USB outlets in the drawer wing face didn't work so he replaced that whole part with Blue Sea 12V / USB outlets. The Victron smart monitor wasn't set up correct either so he got that working. He also moved the Victron smart shunt to a safe secure location where now I can easily access. The lithium battery was also mounted kinda odd on some foam that wasn't level, so he took that out and made a wood platform for it. It's all strapped down to and doesn't move at all now. The rest he basically tightened all the connections and checked everything. It's been a couple weeks since i got it back and everything still tight and zero issues since.

So, 2.5 weeks and 10 hours of Lexus labor later, It all appears to be back on track and all working. They cut me a pretty big break on the labor bill, basically rounded down on the actual hours he spent figuring this all out, and they discounted the labor to a more indie shop rate. So they win my repeat business and good word of mouth with that. Silver lining is at least I have a tech now who I like and who is now very familiar with my truck wiring, and will stand behind his work. If anybody in the Phoenix area needs a good combo check out Earnhardt Lexus. The specific combo you need though is the service/sales guy's name is Rick Johnson, and his master tech that did all the work is named Jerid. I guess Jerid used to be over at Camelback Toyota back in the hay day when Murf was running the service department and it was filled with endless cruisers (I miss those days). Good guy though and I think he got a lotta cruiser specific experience in his 9 years run at Camelback Toyota. After Camelback changed management Murf left, and Camelback went down the toilet, that's when Jerid moved over to Earnhardt Lexus.

Thanks all for all the helpful advice!

 

[bloc]

Thanks for the tips. I ended up buying a new ARB compressor from SDHQ and having my master-tech over at Lexus do the install. Still trying to get the original shop that did the original install to refund me some of the cost of all this. Been going back and forth with them trying to recoup what labor $$$ I can, and return the broken compressor back to them. No conclusion on any of that part yet, but still working on it.

Other than the broken compressor (multiple leaks, too thin wire for the long length), most of the rest of the wiring work appears to have been done correct. For the new compressor he ended up pulling the compressor wire from the cargo area Aux lithium battery, and instead wiring straight over to the start battery. He replaced the air chuck on the back bumper which was some odd size, and everything has worked since then. He did go through all the wiring and it all otherwise appears to be the correct gauges and fused in all the correct spots.

Some odd's and ends the Lexus tech cleaned up several other things as well. 1 drawer latch wouldn't latch which he was able to fix. The generic USB outlets in the drawer wing face didn't work so he replaced that whole part with Blue Sea 12V / USB outlets. The Victron smart monitor wasn't set up correct either so he got that working. He also moved the Victron smart shunt to a safe secure location where now I can easily access. The lithium battery was also mounted kinda odd on some foam that wasn't level, so he took that out and made a wood platform for it. It's all strapped down to and doesn't move at all now. The rest he basically tightened all the connections and checked everything. It's been a couple weeks since i got it back and everything still tight and zero issues since.

So, 2.5 weeks and 10 hours of Lexus labor later, It all appears to be back on track and all working. They cut me a pretty big break on the labor bill, basically rounded down on the actual hours he spent figuring this all out, and they discounted the labor to a more indie shop rate. So they win my repeat business and good word of mouth with that. Silver lining is at least I have a tech now who I like and who is now very familiar with my truck wiring, and will stand behind his work. If anybody in the Phoenix area needs a good combo check out Earnhardt Lexus. The specific combo you need though is the service/sales guy's name is Rick Johnson, and his master tech that did all the work is named Jerid. I guess Jerid used to be over at Camelback Toyota back in the hay day when Murf was running the service department and it was filled with endless cruisers (I miss those days). Good guy though and I think he got a lotta cruiser specific experience in his 9 years run at Camelback Toyota. After Camelback changed management Murf left, and Camelback went down the toilet, that's when Jerid moved over to Earnhardt Lexus.

Thanks all for all the helpful advice!

Do whatever it takes to keep that tech happy! Beer, hookers, blow.. whatever!

Sounds like the real deal and sadly people with that level of skill are dwindling.. glad this is working out.

 

[DPA200]

Do whatever it takes to keep that tech happy! Beer, hookers, blow.. whatever!

Sounds like the real deal and sadly people with that level of skill are dwindling.. glad this is working out.

Beer, hookers, blow....I totally agree. Whatever it takes. I've been in this boat before where a dealership experience is really all dependent on 1 specific tech. Hoping they take good care of him also and he stays happy. The location is very convenient for me, and the free Lexus loaner cars make it super easy.

 

[RET2]

Beer, hookers, blow....I totally agree. Whatever it takes. I've been in this boat before where a dealership experience is really all dependent on 1 specific tech. Hoping they take good care of him also and he stays happy. The location is very convenient for me, and the free Lexus loaner cars make it super easy.

Get his cell just incase he moves on for whatever reason.

 

[DPA200]

Get his cell just incase he moves on for whatever reason.

Already got it! Yeah my thought was exactly the same. That's 1 thing that was nice, usually Lexus wouldn't let you anywhere near the actual garage. After the 1st visit, the sales/service guy would just walk me back and leave me to hang out with the tech 1 on 1 in the garage. So I was able to get the more real scoop on things and see in person vs the sales pitch you usually get

 

[bloc]

Already got it! Yeah my thought was exactly the same. That's 1 thing that was nice, usually Lexus wouldn't let you anywhere near the actual garage. After the 1st visit, the sales/service guy would just walk me back and leave me to hang out with the tech 1 on 1 in the garage. So I was able to get the more real scoop on things and see in person vs the sales pitch you usually get

I get the impression you knew this wouldn’t be cheap and were good with that fact, just wanting it to be right. That seems to go a long way.

Which brings up something I forgot earlier.. take care of that service advisor too. Also not easy to find. Sounds like you are on top of it though.