Off-Road Air Compressors: An Overview & Comparisons (video)

[lakesinai]

Oh, I see you have met my ex-wife.

Makes life easy, storage & use, wife or not! It's all in the bag! (I also have a jack bag and a tow/extraction bag!)

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[vrtical]

I originally used a VIar 450 single line, that was ok, but still takes time on 37s. My onboard is now a EGOI dual and Moreflate 4 line.

 

[mike8675309]

With a CO2 system, other than taking off the valve stem cap and putting it back on, it takes about 30 seconds per tire to go from 12psi to 35psi on the sasquatch tires.

 

[Callelk]

I run the Moreflate and Moreflate 2-line. I set the front and rear tires at different PSI.

 

[SeptuagenerianSasquatch]

I look forward to watching the video tonight, when I have the time. It seems the ThorsLightning came in first on speed, which dispels any buyer's remorse I might have had. (Had none.) I endorse the ThorsLightning heartily. It's fast, they're offroaders themselves, and they're customer service is first: they do pick up the phone.
Lastly, they have the only (that I know of) permanent install for the NAPA-based two-cylinder compressor. It goes in a molle cage over the right rear wheel well. The under-hood ARB installs look neat, but I wonder about the heat and dust under there. You can get a complete ThorsLightning setup with complete 4-way hoses and accessories for the price of the ARB dual.

It is fast. Now that I've done it several times, I can air down and up--including hose management--in 10-12 minutes, each cycle. 4 tires inflation 20-41 psi on a 2x2 hose setup is 4-5 minutes.

 

[Mirage]

Thanks so much for doing this review. I also installed the ARB single in the Fall of 2021. I used the 4x4LED bracket, now I believe ARB has a bracket. It does get quite hot. It takes about 2.5 minutes each to inflate my 33" Nitto Nomad Grapplers from 18# to 35# on the beach, one at a time. I have an inflation hose bag. I'm very pleased with the performance.

Wiring the Single ARB was so mystifying that I paid the local 4WP store to wire it, after I installed the pump. I've been told that the plug-and-play nature of the ARB Twin makes it easier to install than the single. (Top photo, your video. Bottom, my install.)

I really appreciate your explaining the ARB copy-cat models. I think it's an ethical issue to steal someone's design. Again, thanks.

Wiring it up is easy... I took my ARB twin out of my JK Rubicon before I traded it in a couple weeks ago. I had a 4 way equal PSI fill kit on the Jeep and it took about 5-6 minutes to go from 8psi to 30-32psi!

I bought the Bronco mount kit from Grimm Offroad and installed it last weekend.

I've had junky compressors throughout the last 10 +/- years and ARB is definitely worth the money!

 

[CarbonSteel]

ARB for the win! I had a dual un my Wrangler with 37's and it never skipped a beat. I pulled it when I sold the Wrangler and have it in a Griim mount to be mounted in the Bronco as soon as I get the time.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Wiring it up is easy... I took my ARB twin out of my JK Rubicon before I traded it in a couple weeks ago. I had a 4 way equal PSI fill kit on the Jeep and it took about 5-6 minutes to go from 8psi to 30-32psi!

I bought the Bronco mount kit from Grimm Offroad and installed it last weekend.

I've had junky compressors throughout the last 10 +/- years and ARB is definitely worth the money!

 

[Peteduce]

It should be noted that the viair in the video is in need of a tune up/rebuild. Also, it looks like it's missing an air filter, running that from the ground will definitely cause an issue.
I have the Viair 400p that I use with my DIY 4 way hose and it takes about 13 mins to inflate all four 35" toyo rt Trail.

 

[Tricky Mike]

Here is also a spread sheet on the raw specs: Time stamps are airing up 4x, 37" tires from 10-35psi.
-Trickflate $125 205 cyl temp. 132 hose temp. 7:11

That's a really cool shirt you've got there, looks like a cool brand that lots of people should go check out.

 

[tock13]

Awesome video!!

I’m in a delima, single or dual compressor.

Speed isn’t a big deal for me, so would getting say an ARB single be the best bet for someone who wants to inflate a single tire (trailers, mountain bikes.. etc) at times and other times air up 4 tires on the Bronco? It sounds like you don’t want to do single tires with a dual cylinder compressor as it could damage it over time.

 

[popo_patty]

That's a really cool shirt you've got there, looks like a cool brand that lots of people should go check out.

Best bang for the Buck out of the whole video.

 

[userdude]

Awesome video!!

I’m in a delima, single or dual compressor.

Speed isn’t a big deal for me, so would getting say an ARB single be the best bet for someone who wants to inflate a single tire (trailers, mountain bikes.. etc) at times and other times air up 4 tires on the Bronco? It sounds like you don’t want to do single tires with a dual cylinder compressor as it could damage it over time.

Get a single (5.6psi, or at least higher than 1psi) and a two-hose kit and you'll be amazed. Only a couple minutes slower (you do one side, then the other) but half the price and space taken up. It should also have a decent duty cycle so you don't have to wait for it cool down. This is actually the advice Tyler w/MORRFlate gives, even though he's known for the twin 10.6psi models.

In case "a couple minutes" sounds like a lot... My Husky took over 90m one morning at 4am when it was cold and wet. The cold is probably all that kept it from overheating, in fact.

 

[BrentC]

It should be noted that the viair in the video is in need of a tune up/rebuild. Also, it looks like it's missing an air filter, running that from the ground will definitely cause an issue.
I have the Viair 400p that I use with my DIY 4 way hose and it takes about 13 mins to inflate all four 35" toyo rt Trail.

Very cool mounting job you’ve done!

How is the heat dissipation with the vinyl in close proximity?

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Well hello fellow Bronco forum members!

I recently nerded out on air compressors, I compiled a ton of info, did weeks of research, contacted manufactures, called companies and scrolled through mind-numbing amounts of social media accounts. I then compiled most of the relevant data into an hour long video! Now if you're not into watching an hour long video about air compressors... I did add shortcuts in the video description to jump to different parts. I will also add the basic numbers below in the thread.

However, if you like data, research, talking about warranty's, heat dissipation, quality control, internal components and more, I encourage you to watch the video. It also took me 6 hours alone just to film this with all the airing up and down I did on a warm day, with even more time spent editing and researching so if you like it, giving it a thumbs up or a comment on the video itself is very helpful!

I know, I know, its an hour video about air compressors... I think most will find it fairly easy to watch though and in depth... or not





Here is also a spread sheet on the raw specs: Time stamps are airing up 4x, 37" tires from 10-35psi.
-Trickflate $125 205 cyl temp. 132 hose temp. 7:11
-Viar 450 $350 178 cyl temp. 24.47
-M18 $180 + battery 131 temp. 15:40 (had to do one at a time). Used approx 75% battery
-Smittybuilt 2781 $160 175 cyl temp 150 hose. 13:31
-Arb single $330 294 at hottest point in engine bay. 20:10
-ARB dual $616 250 cyl temp. 8:30
-Thors $329 (on sale for 289) 205 cyl temp 175 hose temp. Plastic was cooler then metal. 5:55
-Ezflate $325 193 cyl temp 165 hose. 6:10
-Morrflate $325 190 cyl temp 126 hose. 6:07

Appreciate the video and all the work you put in (I follow you on the YouTubes), but the conclusion is ARB Twin and end of discussion.

Yes, it costs and I had it installed under my hood, but it’s tried and tested for close to 20 years now, is 100% duty cycle, and can take all sorts of punishment, water, and dirt. (Not too much of the water though; electrics!)

4x4TruckLEDs.com is where I purchased on sale a tad and it’s wired to one of my AUX switches.

The ARB just works. Sure, there are others that work very well. I do like VAIR and a couple of the portables are cool, but mounted it’s out of the way and ready to rock at anytime. It gets hot, it’s not the fastest, although never slow, and is well engineered like military hardware.

In all seriousness guys, just get something and air down when hitting even a fire road. Save your back and your rig. I know these things are expensive and you don’t use everyday, but try to only buy once no matter which you go with, so really think it through and good luck on how you decide.

I’m just glad to see you guys getting outside and after it.

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