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Whats a good, cost effective compressor.

ARB (and others) do a good battery jobbie but I've only had experience with ones that plug into ciggie lighters.

Any comments?

Anyone wanna sell one?

General rule... the more u spend the better the compressor. Ones that come with thicker leads that require you to clamp directly ontop your battery should be better than the cig socket ones cos they require more power... more power should mean more air.

Dave

DO NOT buy one that plugs into a cig lighter. Big compressors draw up to 30 or 40 amps. A cig lighter is not going to be keen on doing that for you. Value for moeny, bushranger pro air or if the budget stretches big red, or max air. The new ARB compressor has great specs but is vehicle mount only at this stage.
I personally have the small ARB on under the bonnet for the air locker on my non subie and a big red mounted in the tray for everything else.
Also look for ones that you can rebuild. So that is the likes of the thomas built units (opposite locks blue tongue, twin tongue etc and the big red and viair stuff which is marketed under the bushranger name)
Happy hunting.

TJM OX Air is the way to go!!!!!
WAY better than the ARB piece of s**t

What planet are you on ? No doubt the TJM (thomas) unit is good but the new ARB unit will bury it performance wise.

TJM Ox - 0psi 34.8lpm 20psi 31lpm 35psi 29lpm
ARB new - 0psi 75lpm 30psi 61.6lpm

Yeah t5here has been a lot of info out on these lately. 4x4 Oz mag has put out a comparison, will see if I can pdf and host it. Also the new "high volume" ARB unit also is boxed now, looks very similar to their older one.

Also would imagine that most people would be buying the "NEW" ARB one as opposed to the "OLD". So u might be able to pick the older one up at a good price too.

Can only comment on Thomas.
Have a Blue Tongue 2 and a Twin Tongue.
No probs with either and they work hard.
I went with them for their continuous rating.
Just make sure you overkill the wiring to avoid voltage drop.

I have seen so may failed ARB compressors it not funny.
Haven't seen a OX Air back for a warranty claim.......... 5 Year warranty.....

Really. Are you going to share what model or just a blanket "they're crap"
And what is failing on said compressors ?

I have an ARB compressor that i have had for about 10years now and it has not given me any trouble in that time. I can pump up 6, 29in tyres from 12psi to 36psi in about 15mins. The 6 is when taking the van or trailer out to the beach.

The dodgy ARB compressors are the early diff lock / Portable small units....

The full sized ones are ok.

I've got two 12 volt air compressors.

First one is an interdynamics compact unit, similar to the one pictured below. While slow, it works fine for the occaisional use and it lives permanently in the Outback (fits neatly inside the spare wheel).
Cost was around $100. Power comes via a cigarette lighter outlet.




Second compressor I've got is a Bushranger Max-Air and this is more suitable for regular users. Bit more expensive - I think RRP is around $380. I was lucky enough to get mine on special at the Brisbane 4x4 / camping / boat show last year and paid somewhere around $260. I'm very happy with the performance. Power leads clamp directly to the battery.





While both compressors have pressure gauges, neither are accurate, so I recommend you also purhase a good quality gauge.
Many types and brands to choose from: pencil, dial, digital.

I got one of those flash electronic ones that tells ya the pressure

I got one that looks just like the Bushranger in Jacks pic
Cept its got a different sticker and a hardcase , was sold at Aldi cost $90.

I too have one thats a copy of the Bushranger.

After working at the Perth 4x4 show today I have decided I am going to buy a twin compressor jobbie that my work sells. I'd rather not name the brand right away because I don't want to be seen hawking / plugging stuff here. This compressor blew up a 29" tyre from dead flat to 35psi in a shade over three minutes today.. was pretty impressed at that.

Xtreme_RX wrote:The dodgy ARB compressors are the early diff lock / Portable small units....

The full sized ones are ok.

The one like Dave has or the air locker only one I have ?

What was their problem/s ??

Well after the weekends pump up goings on i managed to pump up from 15 to 38psi in the same time it took Subaman to do a similar tyre from 18 t0 35psi and i did six of em without a problem. However i do think the compressor used to be faster than it is now

Moot you must be on that same planet that Wilbur thinks justin is on, my pump was packed up and away in its case in the boot of the car before you even started your fourth tyre

It was my fifth i started on the van first

All I need is some good hose clamps....or a pressure switch to stop my hose blowing off and I'll be set.