crawler#976

Decided to get a real compressor for the '98 and '05 Taco's. After researching the portable 12V compressors I decided on the Viair 400P. Here's the stats:

33 Percent Duty @ 100 PSI, Oil-Less Design, 150 psi Maximum Working Pressure, Fills a 3 Gal tank from 0 to 105PSI in 1 min 40 Secs, flows 2.0 CFM @ 30 PSI w/ a 23 Amp draw (thats more pressure than I run in any of my rigs)

Summit Racing had the best pricing I could find for this unit.

I'll do some testing when it arrives and post up the times to fill up a BFG 31-10.5 x 15, MT/R 265/75-16, and a MT/R 35-12.5 x 15 from trail pressure (10 to 15 PSI) to the pressures I run on the street.

Later

kev93p-up

So, I'm new to the whole on-board compressor thing, but I think I'd like to have one. Do people just run the compressor, or can you plumb it to a tank? What do most people use as a tank?

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Usually a good idea to add a tank, even a small one:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...BoardAir.shtml

Without the tank, you are probably better off with just an open air system, using a hose and open ended tire chuck and just a simple on-off switch for the compressor.

Ric

kev93p-up,
you can do both, i run just the compressor, works fine, very easy, it is slower than the CO2 bottles, but i never worry about running out of air or getting it filled, but like i said it is slower, up in the mountains. this is the one i have, http://www.extremeoutback.com/index....62.1016&pid=31 im very pleased with it, even comes with a tire gage and pen falsh light, lol. i have been thinnking about hard mounting it, there are a few are here that have done that. maybe they will chime in with pics.

crawler#976

Since this is a portable unit, I won't be using a storage tank.

If the compressor was hard mounted and being used for an ARB, I'd get a 2.5 Gal tank for storage, and use a pressure switch to avoid running the compressor all the time.

Summit Racing servive was awesome! Ordered on Monday, got it on Wednesday! Free UPS shipping, but they did add an $8.45 handling charge...

The unit is packed in a stout cordura case w/ two compartments, a large one for the compressor, a small one for the self coiling hose/guage/deflator/inflator, and side storage areas for spare filters and inflators for air mattress's or sports equipment. It's heavier than I'd expected in the kit - I'd guess it's over 10 Lbs w/ the hose unit.

Tested the unit on a 31-10.5x15 - aired up from 15 PSI to 32 PSI in under 2 minutes, including a stop to check the pressure guage!

I'll test it more this weekend in trail conditions

Later

kev93p-up

Your link didn't work for me Ric.

kev93p-up

Is the VIAIR 400P enough compressor to use with 4air set-up, or would it take too long?

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Sure, it is plenty big, actually with the 4air (4-way air hose) the compressor flow rate is really not that important. This is because you don't need to sit there holding the air hose to the tire valve. Just hook up the 4 air fittings, turn on the compressor and then take care of other things that need attention before you hit the road. When you wrap things up, check the air pressure and shut off the compressor when you hit your target pressure. All you need to worry about is that the compressor duty cycle will let it run long enough to fill the 4 tires w/o overheating.

I run a 2.2 CFM compressor with my 4air hose for the last many years and it works fine.

Ric

Kev, try this http://www.extremeoutback.com/index....62.1016&pid=31

kev93p-up

Cool. Thanks Ric. That link worked. I can't decide which compressor I want. So tell me exactly what it means when a compressors specs say for instance 30% duty cycle. I think I know that a 100% duty cycle means it'll run w/o shutting off for cool down, right? Also, do you think it'd be a waste to add a tank since I don't have air lockers? I'd only be using it for tire inflation and repairs. I guess if I need to run my air tools I'd need the extra capacity, huh.

Ric

Kev,
well im not exactly sure what the duty cycle means either, i "think" 100% duty cycle means that it can run forever with shutting off, like you said, thats what mine is, and yes, all i use mine to do is airing up, it works well for that, but Oasis has one i think its the HP1000 that just may be twice as fast airing up, but its like $800. one memnber here will be getting the Oasis, so we will do a side by side test, and if it infact twice as fast, i "may" get that one and sell my extreme outback, but that will be this spring. wish i could be more help. oh the new rims look great

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

The duty cycle is the ratio of on to off time. I *think* that it is usually rated over a 1 hour time period, so 30% duty says that you could run the compressor for like 18 minutes then it would need to cool down for the remainder of the hour (or 42 minutes). Might need to check with the mfg. to find out the exact run time specs. My Thomas compressor is rated 100% duty cycle and I have had it running for nearly an hour one airing up 5-6 vehicles worth of tires. The motor itself was warm to the touch, the compressor head was warmer but not too hot to touch. Heat is the primary factor on duty cycle.

A compressor is two parts, the air pump and the motor to drive it. For a given pump, you can put a small (cheap) motor on it or you can put a larger (expensive) motor on it. Both will pump the same amount of air, at least for a time, until the smaller motor gets too hot and shuts down. You just need to make sure the run time is enough to do what you need to do with the compressor.

A tank can help make a smaller compressor "look" bigger by storing some air. So if you have a compressor that takes say 3 mins. to air up a tire, plus say an extra minute per tire to check pressure, move from tire to tire, etc. So that would be 16 minutes to air up 4 tires. With a tank in the system, the compressor can keep running for the minute you spend moving from tire to tire and checking pressure, so that time could be taken off the 3 minutes instead of added to it, giving you an air up time in the 8-10 minute range. My current 2 gallons of air storage will shave 1 minute off my air up time if it is full before I start (for one tire or for all four).

Fink

I'm currently looking at the VIAIR 400P for myself. Seems like a good unit, I like that is portable as I haul a 4wheeler and some bikes around all the time so if they need to be aired down its great for that too.

Those of you who have this compressor could you post up on how you like it, I like that it can completely fill up a 33x12.50 to 30 psi in about 4 minutes (advertised speed on the back of the VIAIR catalog). It's a 33% duty cycle which according to VIAIR means it can run for 15 minutes solid and then cool down for 30. Not too bad seeing as how I doubt I would need to fill up all 4 tires with 30psi.

Summits got a great price and the shipping is free and only 11 bucks for 2nd Day! Amazing!

Let me know what you guys think of it.

Summits description says that it comes with a tank...I doubt thats for real, lol. If I end up adding Lockers later, hopefully that will happen then I will add their 2.5gal tank they've got on there.

Should I get an inline filter for it? What else would I need to make it last for a long time?

Thanks guys!

Sorry for hijacking the thread but its been inactive for awhile...so I figured why not?!

Fink

934rnr

Sorry yes guilty as well of hjacking too...
I kinda like this one: http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/...67b40cf6aab74b

Ultimate air compressor can fill 35" tires from 10 psi to 35 psi in about 3 minutes
3/4 horsepower fan-cooled motor that pumps out 150 psi and a flow rate of 4cfm
This compressor is 100% duty cycle the motor and pump are permanently sealed and lubricated and the compressor can be mounted in any angle or direction.

It is kinda pricey at $359.95

Anyways for $175 this option is cheaper:http://www.frontrangeoffroadfab.com/manifold.htm

Fink

The only thing about that one is it's not portable...I'm really wanting a portable 12V, if I was going to do a hard mount I would do the monstor VIAIR that is also 100% duty cycle.

That looks like an awesome one though!

Fink

934rnr

It is the same outbackextreme air compressor that goes for $499 just without the box and air lines.

Just get a toolbox and air line with some jumper cables to go to it and it's portable.

Fink

Hmm...I never thought of that. That's a really good idea.

I'm not sure I really need something that big but might be nice to have...

Fink