Air compressors

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 08:36
ThreadID: 4545 Views:2021 Replies:12 FollowUps:6
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Hello

Can anyone offer advice regarding the best value air compressor for an occasional off road user?

I plan to visit the Sydney 4x4 show this weekend, what specials should I expect?

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Reply By: bazzle - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 08:45

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 08:45
The ARB unit has been around for a long time with out any negatives for its price. It is also compatible with air lockers at a later stage.

bazzle
AnswerID: 18261

Reply By: Johnad - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 09:18

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 09:18
I use the Big Red which has been great so far. It was also rated by 4x4 mag as being the best value for money. Much the same as ARB unit but more robust, so the mag said.
AnswerID: 18266

Reply By: chopper - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 09:43

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 09:43
I've got the OX compressor, (seems the same as Big red, only black) and am veryhappy with it.
AnswerID: 18267

Reply By: Surf - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 10:13

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 10:13
Marlows sells a compressor called the Grunter. There are 2 models, the base model (Grunter) and the Mega Grunter (with longer flexible coiled hose). The base model sells for about $60-70 and the Mega Grunter about $10 more.

I regularly let my tyres down to around 15-18 psi and it takes approx 4-5 minutes to pump each tyre back up to 38-40psi.

Over Easter we went out with our 4wd club and a Prado owner with a Thomas compressor took longer to pump up his standard tyres despite the fact that he had to put less air in than my 31 x 10.5's. Another vehicle with an ARB compressor was no quicker than the Grunter either.

The Grunter is sold under different names from between $200 to almost $300 I believe, the only difference is the paint job.

Not sure if Marlows have stores in NSW, but they do have an on line catalogue, and I know people over east have been buying them like hotcakes.

For a cheap, perhaps interim measure, I dont think you can go wrong. With this sort of alternative product on the market, it may make the bigger manufacturers look at their pricing with a bit of luck.
AnswerID: 18268

Follow Up By: crfan - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 10:37

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 10:37
I have a Grunter and a Hurracane (same compressor drifferent paint job) and have pulled the heads off they are not the same compresor at all and the grunter takes about a third longer to pump up a 267x75x16
from 15 psi to 30 psi.
My mates have ARB compressors and have no trouble and are quick.
I just bought a Bush Ranger Max Air and am Very happy with it
only about a min and a half to pump a 265x75x16 from 15 to 35 psi.
(no spare parts for it but a 5 year warrenty including slowing down)
I saw an electric comp that will pump a tyre from 15 to 30 psi in 50 secs
I think it was . the web site for that was bigballsoffroad I think about $750. though...
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FollowupID: 11456

Follow Up By: Robert - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 10:46

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 10:46
CRFan,

What were the differences between them?
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FollowupID: 11458

Follow Up By: GPA - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 10:59

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 10:59
I purchased a $99 'Volcano' compressor from Marlows - 35l/min - looks sturdy enough - and the fittings are brass. Takes 3.5 min per tyre to take a 31x10.5 up to 34psi from 18psi.

I use mine once or twice a month and have had no problems - have done six tyres in a row - and it has not shut down due to overheating.

At $99 you could chuck it in the bin if it broke and buy another - or buy two first up and do your tyres in half the time... and have a spare if one died. I wouldn't cross the desert with it - but it's just the shot for the occassional weekender...
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FollowupID: 11461

Reply By: Peter - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 11:19

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 11:19
Personally I have a Supercheap version the same as marlows. It pumps up really well and as I only use it occassionally it works well for me.

It may take a bit longer than the big boy pumps but have a cup of tea.

AnswerID: 18275

Follow Up By: William - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 19:36

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 19:36
I also have a Super Cheap version of the Marlows Grunter and used it 20 times since I bought it without a problem. My friend borrowed it when his ARB unit failed.
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FollowupID: 11483

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 11:38

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 11:38
I have an ARB under my drivers seat which does me well.

If I win lotto I can run air lockers, and few air tanks.



I now have different hose on it with quick disconnect on it, so I can now store hose in the back of the drivers seat...
AnswerID: 18277

Reply By: crfan - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 12:50

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 12:50
This is for Robert.
The Piston has one valve in it that looks like a piece of feeler gauge.
The ring on the hurricane is a white plastic ring like in a power steering pump (teflon)and is replaceable. On the grunter is a rubber cup looking think that is centre punched on.(and the piston looks like that cheap dye cast alloy)
even the hurracane would not pump up six tyres with out cutting out
(around 35 deg out side temp)
the Grunter melted the switch on permanately after around 10 mins run time.

AnswerID: 18287

Follow Up By: Robert - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 13:27

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 13:27
Thanks Crfan,

I've wondered if all these look alike compressor's are actually all the same. But whether they are or not , one thing for sure, I bet the cost of using different internal componets doesn't = the extra cost of the Hurricane.
Be interested to know if anyone has compared the Supercheap $140 compressor internal parts to the the Hurricane.

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FollowupID: 11467

Follow Up By: crfan - Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 13:46

Thursday, Apr 24, 2003 at 13:46
Robert I got my Hurricane for $165.00 the grunter was $75.00
the max air was $360.00 and the price on the ARB was $340.00]
and I would not buy the cheap ones again...
all down to how long you want to stand in the sun pumping your tyres up
I do heaps of beach driving and use to use a $35.00 Kmart special took over an hour to pump up 4 tyres. Now I pump up 6 tyres in about 15 mins.
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FollowupID: 11468

Reply By: Member - DickyBeach - Friday, Apr 25, 2003 at 08:59

Friday, Apr 25, 2003 at 08:59
I might as well toss in my tuppenceworth as well.

After my ARB had reflated my tyres on Stockton Beach it then reflated two other Cruisers whose Big Reds had cut out after two wheels - I understand they have thermofuses to prevent over heating.

The ARB is mounted in the engine bay, as were the other cars' Big Reds.

As the Duracell ad says, "it just goes and goes and goes".
DB
AnswerID: 18333

Reply By: Member - diamond(bendigo) - Friday, Apr 25, 2003 at 17:49

Friday, Apr 25, 2003 at 17:49
i bought one of the repco huricanes for $99 used it over easter heaps pumping up 8 31x10.5x15 tyres from about 18-35 psi.went away for a week and let down and pumped up tyres about 6 times after 48 tyres compressor didnt cut out once got a little hot but didnt stop and took about 30 mins to pump up 8 tyres looking foward to easter at jamieson
AnswerID: 18346

Reply By: rojac - Friday, Apr 25, 2003 at 20:17

Friday, Apr 25, 2003 at 20:17
It would all depend on how much use you would put it to, myself I bought a Grunter from Rocca's for $60 as I very rarely deflate my tyres and it suits my useage however if I was to use it on a regular basis I would invest more money and get something better, just remember the old saying......."you get what you pay for"

Cheers

Rob
AnswerID: 18360

Reply By: Steve - Friday, Apr 25, 2003 at 21:05

Friday, Apr 25, 2003 at 21:05
Got a Big Red at around $ 300 and have nothing but praise, use it all over the country ( Landcruiser ) and reckon the peace of mind over a $60 Gruntin Pig or Black Shadow or whwtever it's called is paid for in less beer to put back the sweat hopeing the bastards will work !!
AnswerID: 18369

Reply By: Ali - Saturday, Apr 26, 2003 at 10:41

Saturday, Apr 26, 2003 at 10:41
there are a group of three of us doing the canning in august,two discoverys and a 60 series.i have inatalled a second air cond. compressor on these vehicles and they are great.much faster than anything from the four wheel drive shops and as hassle free as you can get.however newer vehicles make installation more difficult.also if your not in a position to do the job yourself it would be costly since it is very labour intensive.
AnswerID: 18381

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