Blue Tounge Air Compressor

G'day Jeff,
My Bushranger Max Air gets used every day to keep my 3Lt air receiver tank pumped (for air horns and front diff locker etc). It lives in the cargo area, above a drawer system....area that would otherwise not be usable. Could also mount under a seat.
I don't like under bonnet for a couple of reasons:
Heat as you said
Dust ingress....(if I did mount under bonnet, I'd be putting a hose from the truck's air cleaner box, to the air intake on the compressor)
Access; you have to lift bonnet to get to it (unless you run a hose to bullbar etc , which i've done anyway)
Water/moisture during creek/river x'ings
The MaxAir was about $390- (from memory....18 months ago) and pumps as quickly as a Twin Tongue. It's at least twice as fast as the ARB unit it replaced.
Just my experiences.

Jeff,

I bought a Mark III bluey, and its been good, for the little use I've given it. Wouldn't mount under the bonnet because of dust, as Roachie said. Have ours in a plastic tool box, was about $350 or so, from memory. Can take it anywhere there's a battery, and it resides in the cargo drawers.

hooroo...

Hi Jeff,

My brother-in-law has the Max-air (same as Roachies) while I have an ARB. After seeing the Max air perform, would not hesitate to buy one. Just wish Max-air were around when I bought the ARB, the difference in performance is huge.

But I have had my ARB one for 10 years (its one of the early models) and has never let me down. But have had to replace the valve nozzle on the hose due to wear (but thats due to amount of use - not a critisism).

Also, my brother bought the Max-air copy (looks identical to Max-air) for $130 from memory. Has only recently got it so I cannot report on relaibility yet. But to date has performed the same as the genuine Max-air and it appears to be a cheap alternative to the genuine max-air.

I am still trying to find out if they are the same or whether cheaper parts are used in it (neither my brother or brother-in-law will let me strip it down to find out !!!). Externally, there are no differences at all and even the instruction manual looks virtually the same. I think they probably come out of the same factory but import by different importers, but cannot confirm for sure.

Cheers

Captain

Jeff,
I've got an ARB compressor, like others I've had no problems it's served well. But's the next accessory I'm buying is one of these Bushranger compressors. _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx 30 amps and does 74 litres of air per minute in comparison to 24 litres per minute and about 18 amps out of the ARB compressor, I've always mounted mine (doesn't sound to good) this time I'm going to keep it in the bag and use it as and when I need it. I don't have experience of Blue Tongue they are a re badged unit, mate has one, yes it does the job but the same as the ARB compressor hasn't got a huge capacity. My opinions

Hi Jeff,

I've been through two of those $79 Supercheap compressors - recently swapped the second one for their new bigger compressor (cant remember the name but it was about $179 and does 72L per min I think). Seems to do the job a lot better than the older and smaller $79 one. I've seen both compressors rebadged in numerous businesses - they all look the same to me - but with prices varying widely.

For $350 I would have to ask - have you considered endless air (or a DIY endless air setup)? I would think a engine mounted pump would 'blow' any electric compressor away any day of the week?

Cheers,
Dave

I go to the balcatta supercheap - or alternatively I think repco (right next door) have the same product but again branded differently for a similar price... It doesnt suprise me that supercheap dont have them in stock...(i wont say anymore there!)

You could get the blue tongue, but wouldnt you kick yourself if later you found out you paid ~$390 for something that a $179 rival equals (or at least comes very close to)? I'd personally jump on the phone and call around the supercheap (etc) stores and ask them if they have the "72L/30amp" compressor in stock and for how much.

Cheers,
Dave

Jeff

I've got a Blue Tongue III - the IV is all you'd probably get now, even more improvement. I know having one probably makes me biased, but you asked what people thought of the Blue Tongue, here's my honest opinion.

I am the type of person who researches everything pretty well before buying. I understand that there are other compressors out there that are pretty good these days, even ones that will inflate quicker. But some of those figures only relate to when the compressor is cold or warm, not hot. 4X4 did a comparo and the Blue Tongue did not win, but came a close 2nd or third when taking into consideration price, cold inflation times, noise etc. However, they did mention that it was the only true continuous cycle compressor, meaning it will not get so hot that it will effect it's performance. This means each tyre you inflate will take pretty well the same time to inflate, whereas some of the others slow down considerably after 2 or three tyres.

I go away with mates who have got the cheaper compressors, and I always find myself inflating mine back up to about 35 PSI and then help them out with one or two tyres so we are not waiting around as long. I'm no expert but the information I have collected tells me that there are not too many compressors on the market that will stand up to that claim.

My info is about 18 months old, so if there is a new beaut compressor for $180 that is as quick at pumping and will not fade after 2 or 3 tyres then I stand corrected.

Blue tongue is made by Thomas in USA, they have a reputation for quality reliable pumps and compressors used mainly in commercial applications.

To sum up, you will not go wrong with a Blue Tongue. You may get a cheaper compressor out there, but the Blue Tongue is proven.

P.S. $349 is a pretty good price for a Blue Tongue, you will need to add all the hoses and all but if you don't already have them the dealer may discount the Blue Tongue or the accessories even further. I got my hose for 1/2 price with all quality fittings.

Hope this helps.

Regards

D-Jack

have a big red. Blows my tyres and a mates tyres in no time at all (8 in total). Never cut out from heat etc yet. Very impressed with it.