Portable 12v Air Compressors

[Beery]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with these little compressors from Repco?
In the photos, they look well enough made and are on sale at 45% off right now for $89.

Ive currently got an SCA compressor which hasn't really had much use and it was really struggling to get a 2wd ute tyre up to 40psi the other day.

Now that I've got the 130, I can see that the SCA is just not going to cut it.

Cheers
Tom

[Eevo]

how many litres per minute?

edit: found the catalogue.
its 85 LPM which is ok.
150LPM is better

[Beery]

85LPM

[Geedublya]

Get an Aldi one if you can, they are excellent value at $99.

The Tigerz11 is very similar for $129 and includes a deflator. Daily Deal: Thumper Air Compressor + Free Kwiky Tyre Deflator !! , 4WD & Outdoor Products - Australia (http://www.tigerz11.com.au/product-category/compressors/daily-deal-thumper-air-compressor-plus-free-kwiky-tyre-deflator.html)

[Beery]

That Tigerz11 compressor is probably bigger than what I want. It is an impressive looking unit though.
I was thinking of trying to mount one lying on its side under the back seats in my 130.

Sent from my HTC_PN071 using AULRO mobile app

[pannawonica]

I have a Tigerz 11 and have used it too pump up all manner of tyres, it has worked reasonably well. Anyway I took it apart too have a Bo-Peep, and saw where they had compromised. At $99 that I had paid it's been alright, however if I was airing up a lot I would look for something more engineered.

[350RRC]

The Aldi one does 150 l per minute and is awesome @ $99. Serious grunt.

Really needs to be bolted in permanently somewhere.

cheers, DL

[Beery]

Well I had a look at the Repco one and decided to give it a go. At 45% off for $89 it looks like good value. It certainly seems solid and well made...but thats without opening it up to have a look inside.
The quick connect hose is good and comes with a decent blow moulded case/
We'll see how it goes.

[dickyjoe]

Hello,

I am looking to buy a portable 12v air compressor.

I've done a little reading online and think think the Mean Mother Adventurer II could be a good buy.

ADVENTURER 2 Air Compressor | Air Compressors | 4WD Products | Products | HAIGH Australia PTY LTD (http://www.haigh.com.au/products/4wd/air-compressors/adventurer-2-air-compressor-detail)

Its made by the Haigh brand (which I normally don't think that highly of). It comes with a limited 5yr warranty which I suspect means it doesn't cover things like the hose.

At $250ish dollars it seems like good value for money. A recent test by this mob (12V PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR COMPARISON - Unsealed 4X4 (http://www.unsealed4x4.com.au/12v-portable-air-compressor-comparison/)) gave it a good score.

Bursons Auto Parts are a stockist of these.

So does any reader on here have one? What do you think of it?

Cheers

Rich

[PhilipA]

Looks to be the same compressor as the Dr Air and the ALDI one.

I Have an ALDI one which has been great and is priced around the $100 mark.

There is a similar one advertised in 4WD Action for AFAIR $129.

The 5year warranty probably is worth something and Haigh should be around then.
BTW the "cooling fins" on the cylinder are actually plastic. To be fair they state cooling fins on the motor. I pulled my ALDI apart and was impressed by everything but the reed valves which look a bit suss , but could be replaced with a bit of feeler gauge in an emergency.
The piston also has a plastic ring and no small end bearing so it rocks but it seems to work OK
Regards Philip A

[Debacle]

I've got a Thumper compressor from 4wd supacentre that I'm pretty happy with. Have it mounted in the back of the Disco with an Anderson plug. Pumps up the tyres from 15-18 psi to up to 40 psi in about a minute per tyre. They are on special at the moment for $99.

[SPROVER]

I've got a Thumper compressor from 4wd supacentre that I'm pretty happy with. Have it mounted in the back of the Disco with an Anderson plug. Pumps up the tyres from 15-18 psi to up to 40 psi in about a minute per tyre. They are on special at the moment for $99.

I have one of these as well. Great compressor for the price.

[dickyjoe]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

I'm now wondering do I buy a "cheapie" like the supa centre unit or a more expensive unit like the ARB unit which you can buy spares for etc.

[austastar]

Hi,
I'm happy with my ARB compressor in a box. Does all I ask of it easily.
Cheers

[dickyjoe]

Well I forked out my dosh and ended up purchasing an ARB compressor. I liked the idea that it was in a portable box. I'll be able to add an air gun and my good air gun to the box also.

I think I'll put an Anderson plug in the wiring so I can plug it directly into my second battery without needing to access the battery.

I need make up an adaptor to change from the fitting on the hose to a nitto type air fitting. I think enzed carry the fittings I need.

[weeds]

I fitted an Anderson plug to mine and a second Anderson plug to the battery clamps just incase I'm not in my car.

I'm about to ditch all the ARB fittings and hose and run just nitto......Could make an adaptor lead but figured everything else runs nitto.

[flagg]

One thing I noticed with the cheaper ones is that the gauge that came with them wasn't accurate. Not always a problem but worth checking if it matters to you.

[Judo]

One thing I noticed with the cheaper ones is that the gauge that came with them wasn't accurate. Not always a problem but worth checking if it matters to you.
x2

Although generally I find the more gauges I use, the more readings I end up with! No idea which one is accurate!

[Eevo]

x2

Although generally I find the more gauges I use, the more readings I end up with! No idea which one is accurate!

x3

so many different readings

[sheerluck]

I've got one of the Aldi ones, and it's true to say the gauge could never be accused of being a precision instrument.

It's close though, and certainly close enough to air up after being out somewhere.

[HardCharger]

Hi All!

I was able to get a Thumper Max from 4WD Supa Center and asked my friend to bring it over for me as I'm situated outside Australia. I tried using the compressor and all the other free kit that came with it to top up my tires but is only rumbled to life for a few seconds pumping some air then just stopped. I tried contacting them and they said that since they cannot examine the unit, I should just make sure that the connections are clean. Well, they're clean as I have a new battery and the compressor is still new. Can any one help out or do I just painfully charge this to experience and just pony up, much later, for the twin ARB unit with tank? Seems such a shame that the kit would konk out the first time I was to use it. Good thing it was just topping off and not when urgently needed when fixing a flat or on the tracks.

Still though, if anyone can help out, maybe I can still save this and it could still be of use.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

Thanks in advance!

[Vern]

What size fuse did you use? These thing draw 90amps! 45amps per motor

[weeds]

Yeah check fuse first.......hopefully it's and easy fix

I just purchased an ARB twin.....not cheap but only draws 50amps

[Tins]

What size fuse did you use? These thing draw 90amps! 45amps per motor

They come with clamps to hook up to the battery direct. Not sure where the fuse would be in that case. Well, apart from on the unit itself. They were never intended to be a cigarette lighter job. Maybe that's why they are so fast.

[weeds]

They come with clamps to hook up to the battery direct. Not sure where the fuse would be in that case.

I'm assuming inline on the cable.....

Edit...bugger if I can see any fuses in the video on the website.

[Tins]

I'm assuming inline on the cable.....

No, but if that were the case, then surely it would be of sufficient rating. No, they have a reset button. Mine is fantastic. And, I found out today, it will run of my battery charger while it charges a dead flat truck battery.
There seem to be a lot of negative myths surrounding this gear. Why would that be, do you think?

[weeds]

No, but if that were the case, then surely it would be of sufficient rating. No, they have a reset button. Mine is fantastic. And, I found out today, it will run of my battery charger while it charges a dead flat truck battery.
There seem to be a lot of negative myths surrounding this gear. Why would that be, do you think?

Edited my post above...although you answered the question about a fuse.... a reset button.

Is the reset button obvious??

Not following your comment about battery charger.

Didn't think I was negative apart from current draw, but I guess mine takes twice as long to that cancels my current draw point.

[Tins]

Edited my post above...although you answered the question about a fuse.... a reset button.

Not following your comment about battery charger.

Didn't think I was negative about from current draw, but I guess mine takes twice as long to that cancels my current draw point.

My comment re the battery charger was merely to point out that I had a charger charging a lifeless truck battery, no volts whatsoever, and I needed to blow up a tyre. The charger has a 40A fuse protecting it, which only blows if I hook it up to a battery with a shorted plate. The Thumper fired up and inflated the tyre effortlessly, and never blew the fuse, or even raised a sweat on the ammeter on the charger.

Now, I'm no expert in things electrical, but to me it seems that 90A is 90A, which has been claimed many times as the draw of these compressors.

The cables to the clamps that connect to the battery would hardly be more than 5mm. All I was trying to say, and not necessarily in reply to you, was that I don't believe this 90A hyperbole, and that for the price the compressor is amazing.

To the OP I'd say, look for the reset button, and push it.

[Tins]

Is the reset button obvious??


Missed that. Answer is no, although it is next to where the wires go in, at least on mine. It is a small black dome, easy to see if you are looking for it, but certainly not obvious if you aren't.

[weeds]

My comment re the battery charger was merely to point out that I had a charger charging a lifeless truck battery, no volts whatsoever, and I needed to blow up a tyre. The charger has a 40A fuse protecting it, which only blows if I hook it up to a battery with a shorted plate. The Thumper fired up and inflated the tyre effortlessly, and never blew the fuse, or even raised a sweat on the ammeter on the charger.

Now, I'm no expert in things electrical, but to me it seems that 90A is 90A, which has been claimed many times as the draw of these compressors.

The cables to the clamps that connect to the battery would hardly be more than 5mm. All I was trying to say, and not necessarily in reply to you, was that I don't believe this 90A hyperbole, and that for the price the compressor is amazing.

To the OP I'd say, look for the reset button, and push it.

Ok...got it now

Yep for the price you can buy a four, one for each tyre and still have plenty of spare cash when compared to the ARB unit.

[Tins]

Ok...got it now

Yep for the price you can buy a four, one for each tyre and still have plenty of spare cash when compared to the ARB unit.

I really think that I will mount it in the rear of my D2. I just remembered that the entire rear of that car is in pieces, as I swapped all the 7 seat gubbins to someone on here, and didn't get it back together before the twe truck turned up. Silver linings, and all that.

[trout1105]

I have been using a Thumper Max for some time now and apart from the zipper falling to bits on the carry bag I cant fault the unit.

[Tins]

I have been using a Thumper Max for some time now and apart from the zipper falling to bits on the carry bag I cant fault the unit.

Gave up on the bag, but I'm hopeless with those things anyway. The Chinese don't seem to do bags, but I didn't buy it for it's bag. Agree, so far it is awesome.

[MVFrancis]

Ive had a thumper hard wired and bolted into the tray of the Perentie for 2 years now. Aside from my deliberately undersized fuses going, its never missed a beat. It doesn't get directly wet, but its had a hard life exposed to dust and moisture. The supplied air hose is starting to crack where its been exposed to light and permanently attached to the ROPS, but that's the worst of it so far. Even if im on borrowed time with it, its still a cheap "service item" in my book

[Homestar]

My comment re the battery charger was merely to point out that I had a charger charging a lifeless truck battery, no volts whatsoever, and I needed to blow up a tyre. The charger has a 40A fuse protecting it, which only blows if I hook it up to a battery with a shorted plate. The Thumper fired up and inflated the tyre effortlessly, and never blew the fuse, or even raised a sweat on the ammeter on the charger.

Now, I'm no expert in things electrical, but to me it seems that 90A is 90A, which has been claimed many times as the draw of these compressors.

The cables to the clamps that connect to the battery would hardly be more than 5mm. All I was trying to say, and not necessarily in reply to you, was that I don't believe this 90A hyperbole, and that for the price the compressor is amazing.

To the OP I'd say, look for the reset button, and push it.

The 90 amps would be its maximum current draw at full pressure - up near 100 psi so you'll never see that sort of current flow pumping tyres, probably closer to 10 to 20 most of the time in the 20 to 40 psi range. Current flow changes as the mechanical load the motor is being asked to do does. All 12 volt compressors draw huge amounts of current as their load increases towards their max pressure. I wouldn't worry about that side of it - if it works for you and you're happy, doesn't matter what others go on about IMO. :)

[trout1105]

I have never had to use the reset on my thumper But as Homestar said 20-40psi is the highest I would have pumped my tyres up to.

[Tins]

The 90 amps would be its maximum current draw at full pressure - up near 100 psi so you'll never see that sort of current flow pumping tyres, probably closer to 10 to 20 most of the time in the 20 to 40 psi range. Current flow changes as the mechanical load the motor is being asked to do does. All 12 volt compressors draw huge amounts of current as their load increases towards their max pressure. I wouldn't worry about that side of it - if it works for you and you're happy, doesn't matter what others go on about IMO. :)

Indeed. It was unlikely I would have used it on the truck tyres, at 110 psi. Most servo compressors struggle with that.

[Surrufus]

I got given a little air compressor for the birthday just before I got my Defender, by a good friend of mine.
I can't remember what brand it was, but I hope it was cheap, because it took forever to fill up each tyre ( 235/85R16 Goodyear MTRs ) and I gave up on it.

I got myself a birthday present the following year, and got the ARB high output portable compressor in the little grey toolbox ( there was a special on at the time and I also got the deflator, the inflator with the gauge, and an additional hose, and a bag to carry it all in ).
I love the ARB compressor, and it fills all four tyres in the time it took the little one to do one tyre!
It has made a huge difference to my 4wding, I now am less reluctant to let my tyres down all the way.

[HardCharger]

Well, I cannot find a physical reset button and I asked one of our compressor suppliers for our industrial compressors to take a look. After a few minutes he got back to me and told me that the electrical board is shot. [bigsad] Unfortunately, he cannot help me so he's giving it back and I'm taking it to one of my electricians to see if he can either revive the board or come up with something easier to fix locally. I will wait for the quotation and see if it's worth resurrecting this big @$$ paper weight or just gradually save up for twin unit ARB with tank. Really disappointing that it croaked a few seconds after it was first turned on. Did some digging and apparently there are quite a number of people with axes to grind with 4WD SupaCenter and their quality is apparently a crap shoot. Lucky if it works, tough on you if it doesn't. I guess I fall under the latter. :bat:

[trout1105]

Why not just send it back to 4wdsupercentre for a replacement ?
Yours is the first I have heard about that has had problems, The vast majority of people that buy the Thumpers are very happy with them as far as I can see.

[HardCharger]

Well, seeing as I'm in another continent at the moment, I'll have to wait for someone to lug back to Aus.