Air Compressor's
Submitted: Friday, Aug 31, 2012 at 16:39
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Member - Cruiser74
Hi all,
Just wondering what people are using out there with regards to portable air compressors? I picked up a "Storm" one from
BCF about 6 months ago and although I have given it a hard time it hasn't been punished outside of what you would expect given the environment you would expect it to perform in. The plastic coil has a tear in it where the coupling joins to the end of it and it's just really slow (even before the tear). It takes about 5 minutes to get a tyre from 10PSI back up to about 38 PSI and the whole unit just seems really unreliable. Yes I know you get what you pay for and granted this one was pretty cheap. Eventually looking to upgrade to a fixed under the bonnet one but in the mean time want to get something a bit sturdier and faster than the one I have that will double as a reliable back up once I get one under the bonnet. I don't want to be stuck out in woop woop at 10PSI which is what I can see happening if I continue to rely on this one. Any recommendations?
Reply By: ross - Friday, Aug 31, 2012 at 18:31
Friday, Aug 31, 2012 at 18:31
I bought a bushranger maxair about 6 years ago,still going strong,still gets good reviews in the tests that periodically appear in some 4x4 mags.
Ive also got a Thumper(I think thats what it is) that is much smaller that I use for my BIKE on long trips.
It works quite
well for its size and weight and will do the big tyres on my Landcruiser,but not as fast as the maxair
AnswerID:
494019
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Aug 31, 2012 at 19:04
Friday, Aug 31, 2012 at 19:04
Cruiser,
If you want a quality compressor that is reliable and doesn't overheat and cut out, you need to invest in a quality one.
I have a "Big Red" which is a few years old now but still going strong.
I selected this at the time as it was one of the only compressors available in a portable configuration. It sits in a sturdy plastic "tool" box with a control switch to turn it on and off. TJM were the distributors at the time I got
mine but I don't see them listed any more.
The Bushranger Max-Air has good reviews, as does the ARB portable compressor which is also available in a "tool box" configuration for true portability.
I guess it depends on what uses you have in mind, but a portable compressor was my choice rather than a fixed "on-board" one.
AnswerID:
494023
Follow Up By: Member - Ian G (NSW) - Friday, Aug 31, 2012 at 21:15
Friday, Aug 31, 2012 at 21:15
We have had a Big Red for 14 years now. Still going strong & we have used it lots. The advantages with a Big Red, besides being reliable, sturdy etc, is the fact that because it is portable, you can cool it down quicker and it has a very long hose that will reach all around the vehicle and a camper trailer from the battery under the bonnet. We have big BF Goodrich All Terrain tyres and it has always coped
well. It is very compact and up to date we have never had to replace any parts as it is such a good quality product. It has spent most of its life sitting behind the drivers
seat on the floor in the back - no matter whether we are towing or not.
cheers,
FollowupID:
769684
Reply By: DaveO*ST-R - Friday, Aug 31, 2012 at 20:38
Friday, Aug 31, 2012 at 20:38
A couple of months ago, my Projecta Typhoon, having given me a number of years of very good service, decided to play up on me and no longer pumps to its previous capacity. After a bit of research, I decided on the Dr Air Pro 150L/M compressor. Google it and there are heaps of recommendations for this unit.
The Dr Air ticked all the boxes but was not overly cheap. They vary considerably in price, but you can pick one up for about $220. (eg eBay) However, performance wise, wow, it is chalk and cheese with the Typhoon, even when it (the Typhoon) was working at its best. Very, very pleased with the performance and quality of this compressor. I took a fair bit of notice of the results in the
4WD Action compressor comparo some time ago by 4WD Action and have not been disappointed.
Dave
AnswerID:
494037
Follow Up By: patsproule - Sunday, Sep 02, 2012 at 07:33
Sunday, Sep 02, 2012 at 07:33
Quick hint re the Dr Air Pro - Aldi have this very compressor (minus the brand name) for $100 in their rotation of specials. I have one and it's awesome!
Pat
FollowupID:
769753
Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, Aug 31, 2012 at 20:41
Friday, Aug 31, 2012 at 20:41
Craig,
Bought a Blue Tongue compressor, about 10 years ago, and while I haven't used it much, it's still in as new condition. Was supplied in a plastic tool box, that stores the air hose as
well, so is very portable, and not restricted to one vehicle. "They" recommended not to mount this type of compressor under the bonnet, because of dust etc.
I'd endorse too, what was said about buying top quality. ARB, TJM, Blue Tongue are good brands, and there's a couple of others that are good, just a lot more $$$$$$$$$$. Think ARB do one in a tool box as
well???
While I'm not really pushing the Blue Tongue, it is able to be run non-stop, whereas some of the others have a temp cut-out, and will stop if overheated.
You could buy one to pump up the tyres on your jet ski trailer.....like when you get one, so your partner can tow you right out behind the breaks?
Stay safe,
Bob.
AnswerID:
494040
Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser74 - Saturday, Sep 01, 2012 at 09:51
Saturday, Sep 01, 2012 at 09:51
Thanks Bob! Though you will never see me on one of those bloody jet-skis unless I'm being rescued from the surf! Thanks for your advice.
Craig
FollowupID:
769708
Reply By: mountainman - Saturday, Sep 01, 2012 at 13:46
Saturday, Sep 01, 2012 at 13:46
stick it under the bonnet.
the compressor will produce its own heat, more to worry than the engine bay.
keep the cabin quiet, and if the hose lets go, no air to blow dust everywhere.
good compressors have their own filter anyway, like the arb.
each to their own, but if you mount a tank, that air line will have the tanks capacity behind it.
simple if something goes bang, lets go, no harm to the engine bay, compared to human cargo, or other things in the cab.
AnswerID:
494071