12 v portable compressors

I have an ARB one (had no experience with the other brands), have had it 5 years and no problems, never cut out from overheating, never let me down. I have it installed behind my back seat (Dual Cab Hilux) out of the mud and crud that they would get if under the bonnet. Would I buy one again, yes.

I have an ARB compressor and a mate has a Big Red, in the time it took me to pump one tyre from 24psi to 40psi he pumped all 4 of his tyres to 40psi.

I know what my next compressor will be!!!!!

Can't comment on the other one never seen one in action.

Baz.

I have a Max Air it's been great no prob's, only had a 4wd systems heap of rubbish before that.No experience with the other brands.

Cheers Scoof. :-)

Have had a Big Red for 5 years. It does what I need, and hasn't given me any dramas.

i bot a max air II this year, and it seems okay to me. the big test is next year

my arb compressor has been rebuilt 3 times under warranty,at last repair i was told not to use it to pump up tyres! WTF! i thought that is what it was designed for?so no prizes for which one i would suggest! cheers Paul

Hi Dave
i have a Big Red i don't use it all the time but have used it a fair bit and have had no trouble at all. I have pumped up 8 tyres one after the other in about 30 degrees maybe a bit hotter i know this isn't hot but it never cut out and all 8 tyres were pumped up to 45psi, 4x4 Australia mag did a test on all the popular compressors a couple of years ago and it was one of the better compressors once under pressure(litres per min), BUT if u want the best the endless air can not be equaled if u have the room under the bonnet.

MATTIE

Dave,

I have a slightly different perspective on Big Red.

I selected it because it was available as a "portable" unit.
Came in its own case with everything held inside. (was also a good price at a 4WD show at the time)

I liked the portability as you can take it to other vehicles.

Performance wise, I have no complaints. Don't know if it pumps up tyres quicker, or slower, than other brands and I don't care.

It has never cut out due to overheating, but then again, I don't use it every day and it doesn't sit in the engine bay where it could be heat affected from an "external" source.

I have the Bushranger Max Air and have no problems with it. RRP is $390, bought it at last years 4x4 Show in Melbourne for $275! They have since released a series 2 with minor mods. It's been used a fair bit but the hardest I've asked of it is to blow 2 vehicles from 18-20 psi back up to 30+, too easy. I think they're rated to do 5 odd vehicles before the thermal cut-out kicks in. 5 year warranty too.

The ARB was designed for engaging diff-locks, not blowing up tyres and they are finally admitting that.

Other than some the twin-head designs (and the Max Air), the Big Red has been the hardest pumping 12v compressor for years but they cost a small fortune. I would imagine you'd only ever have to buy one though.

Cheers,

Mark.

Try & get a copy of last months Western 4 Whel Driver. They did a full comparo on about a dozen of the most popular compressors including the ones you speak of.

I have mounted my ARB under the bonet and it pumps my tyres from 20 to 40 psi without any problems at all. Has done so for several years now.I don't really care if one is 10% faster than the other or whatever. It's a good chance to inspect the tyres for possible damage sustained driving whilst deflated.