Twinning and mounting ARB compressors

[Ooops]

I was planning on fitting the ARB CKMTA12*Twin but I recently bought a project D3 that came with a single CKMA12 so I thought I'd just add to that.

Its the first time that I've seen one in the flesh so I really don't know too much about them and I have a couple of questions.

From the pictures the twin looks like a pair of singles joined together so I'm wondering how it is that singles have a 50% duty cycle whilst the twin has 100%. Is it simply that the twin is considered to be sharing the workload or has it been tweaked in some way?

When I put two singles together will it as simple as feeding both into a common air outlet or are there other consideration?

Has any one else done this and if so how did you go about it and where did you mount them?
I've fitted a Traxide kit so the second battery box is out.

The one I have is about seven years old, so I'd like to service it. Any ideas where I can get spare parts, a parts drawing and a servicing manual from? I had a look on the Aus ARB site but couldn't see anything for this model.

TIA

[winaje]

Unsure on the parts, and much as I hate linking to another forum, there's a good rebuilt write up here:
ARB Compressor Rebuild (How To) - Patrol 4x4 - Nissan Patrol Forum (http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/diy-modifications-accessories-40/arb-compressor-rebuild-how-103101/)

[BobD]

I have the portable version of the ARB twin compressor. They are maybe slightly better performance than the very common Chinese ones sold by Mean Mother, Terrain Tamer and many other brands of the same thing.


I think that the 100% duty is achieved because they have added a cooling fan. Don't forget that a double ARB draws about 60 Amps so give it some good wiring.


A single ARB is pretty poor but the double is acceptable. Just very pricey and heavy with the two compressors and an air tank.


As an aside, my compressor kept blowing the internal thermal cutout on one compressor, which means getting it reset by ARB. After 4 or 5 goes at this they gave me a brand new complete portable compressor. This one has not had any problems. They couldn't work out what the problem was with the old one and opted for a complete replacement. With one compressor only the system still worked but was very slow and took a long time to reach the 90 psi cutout after filling the tank.

[Ooops]

Unsure on the parts, and much as I hate linking to another forum, there's a good rebuilt write up here:
ARB Compressor Rebuild (How To) - Patrol 4x4 - Nissan Patrol Forum (http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/diy-modifications-accessories-40/arb-compressor-rebuild-how-103101/)

That's cracking mate, many thanks.

[Ooops]

I have the portable version of the ARB twin compressor. They are maybe slightly better performance than the very common Chinese ones sold by Mean Mother, Terrain Tamer and many other brands of the same thing.


I think that the 100% duty is achieved because they have added a cooling fan. Don't forget that a double ARB draws about 60 Amps so give it some good wiring.


A single ARB is pretty poor but the double is acceptable. Just very pricey and heavy with the two compressors and an air tank.


As an aside, my compressor kept blowing the internal thermal cutout on one compressor, which means getting it reset by ARB. After 4 or 5 goes at this they gave me a brand new complete portable compressor. This one has not had any problems. They couldn't work out what the problem was with the old one and opted for a complete replacement. With one compressor only the system still worked but was very slow and took a long time to reach the 90 psi cutout after filling the tank.

Bob are you running tools from your system, hence the tank? Is one ok for tyres?

[winaje]

I have an ARB CKMA12 installed in front of the battery in my D3, and reasonable wiring. Have inflated 8 tyres from 25 to 45 psi in a row, and it was going strong. I'm happy with my single compressor.

[BobD]

Not running tools, just tyres.


Tank is standard with the portable ARB twin compressor unit.


The cheap Chinese compressors that I mentioned are far quicker than a single ARB and with several in the family we have never had a problem with them.


Nothing wrong with the ARB, just a bit slow for large tyres such as 33's on a Patrol. The single ARB would be OK for the smaller Disco tyres but the twin is very quick and probably a bit of overkill on these tyres. I bought it for my Patrol which I hardly ever drive any more.

[Ooops]

Not running tools, just tyres.


Tank is standard with the portable ARB twin compressor unit.


The cheap Chinese compressors that I mentioned are far quicker than a single ARB and with several in the family we have never had a problem with them.


Nothing wrong with the ARB, just a bit slow for large tyres such as 33's on a Patrol. The single ARB would be OK for the smaller Disco tyres but the twin is very quick and probably a bit of overkill on these tyres. I bought it for my Patrol which I hardly ever drive any more.

Thank you BobD, much appreciated.

[Fred Nerk]

I have the single, portable, no tank version of the ARB compressor. I find it to be significantly quicker than the Chinese model I bought it to replace and quicker than any of my 4WD mates when we all air up at the end of the trip. They have a variety of other brands.

I know my GOE 18 inch tyres are less to fill than their 16 and 17s but they haven't woken up to that yet. The other Land Rovers (18s) with Chinese compressors are slower than me. I have been happy with my ARB. I am not tempted to get the twin compressor and try to find enough space for it.