Portable compressor for tyres

[WhiteD3]

Hiya,

In the market for a compressor to reinflate my tyres after offroading.

I'd appreciate any advice on what psi and l/s rating to get, and what brands to avoid as there appears to be a lot of el cheapo offerings out there.

Cheers.

[waynep]

People seem to like those Max Air from Bushranger for a hi output compressor at reasonable price.
Auto Max Compressor - Bushranger 4WD Gear (http://www.bushranger.com.au/automax_compressor.php)

But if I had the money I'd get a Blue Tongue or Twin Blue Tongue - those things rock.
If you do get one of the el cheapos you will probably be disappointed with both time taken to re-inflate and reliability

[Bushie]

I'd have no trouble recommending a Blue-tongue mine hasn't given any problems over the last 8/9 years.


Martyn

[RonMcGr]

I bought a $160 one from "Super Cheap Junk". Came in it's own zip up bag and works like a champion :D

[weeds]

People seem to like those Max Air from Bushranger for a hi output compressor at reasonable price.
Auto Max Compressor - Bushranger 4WD Gear (http://www.bushranger.com.au/automax_compressor.php)

But if I had the money I'd get a Blue Tongue or Twin Blue Tongue - those things rock.
If you do get one of the el cheapos you will probably be disappointed with both time taken to re-inflate and reliability

i have one these, it main role is to supply air to the lockers

air down this sat on our boonah run and your more than welcome to give it a try.....it's no longer portable as it bolted into place but you will get the idea on its capicity

[cookiesa]

I bought a $160 one from "Super Cheap Junk". Came in it's own zip up bag and works like a champion :D

X2 got mine on sale for about $120 I think it was. Used probably Once every two months to inflate my tyres, Feroza or Rocky and a Patrol's after beach driving (around 20psi depending on the day) No problems at all and leaves my mates ARB for dead in inflation times. (He has the older one, not the new)

These are 72L a minute compressors and work well. They have decent leads with a blade fuse and a switch on the compressor. (I like that as it allows you to turn it off whilst moving between tyres, pumping up the airbed in the tent etc.) They also have a nice big base to sit on the sand and an insulated handle. Also have thermal cutout (Haven't had it cut in yet but nice to know it is there)

I would be looking for something with decent eads, a fuse (cheap and nasty don't usually bother with these) Switch on the unit/lead where it is easy to get too. If your not mounting it a decent plate to sit it on in the sand/dirt when your using it.

That said this unit replaced an $80 unit which is still in use on a Feroza that we used on our Jackaroo before the Disco. Only problem was the air line "blew" one really hot day. Cut a section off and redo it and it has been like that ever since no problems!

Should have added too that it is now nearly 4 years old

[numpty]

I'd have no trouble recommending a Blue-tongue mine hasn't given any problems over the last 8/9 years.


Martyn

Ditto. The latest ARB one has had good reports as well.

[V8Landy]

I have the new arb one and am very happy with its performance.It pumped a totally flat 32" tyre up in just a few minutes.Cheers Brett

[WhiteD3]

Thanks Guys.

So it's the u-beaut ARB for $320 (comes in a hard box and has a pressure cutout) or the el-cheapo from Super cheap for $160. The ARB looks the go but have to check with the Minister for Finance:eek:

[Aaron]

Say you won it in a raffle :)

[Bushwanderer]

I have the new arb one and am very happy with its performance.It pumped a totally flat 32" tyre up in just a few minutes.Cheers Brett


x2

Best Wishes,

[Col.Coleman]

Hope you don't need the arb one for 6 weeks. That is waht I was told when I went to but one at Easter. Probably should recheck now myself. Wonder what deal we could get for 2 or more?
CC

[numpty]

Shortage is probably to do with their recent offer of $299 (I think), which equated to $100 or so off RRP.

[WildOne]

x2

Best Wishes,

x3:D

[WhiteD3]

Hope you don't need the arb one for 6 weeks. That is waht I was told when I went to but one at Easter. Probably should recheck now myself. Wonder what deal we could get for 2 or more?
CC

ARB Capalaba have 2 or 3 of them @ $340 ea

[Blknight.aus]

I bought a $160 one from "Super Cheap Junk". Came in it's own zip up bag and works like a champion :D

I have one of those as well but now its welded to the top of a $99 aircompressor tank that I picked up cheap from kmart cause it was allegedly broken.

those same compressors sell for less than #90 at supercheap.

[Col.Coleman]

Off to capalaba in the morning. Want me to pick you one up for sat?

[Treads]

I bought a $160 one from "Super Cheap Junk". Came in it's own zip up bag and works like a champion :D
Got the same one for my birthday yesterday (Thanks SWMBO! :D ). Works a dream! Pumped a 245/75 up from 15Psi to 38Psi in about 2 minutes yesterday. If only I had it 2 weeks ago I might not have had to test the winch :angel:


People seem to like those Max Air from Bushranger for a hi output compressor at reasonable price.
Auto Max Compressor - Bushranger 4WD Gear (http://www.bushranger.com.au/automax_compressor.php)


Just compare it to the supercrap model, they're identical IMHO!


X2 got mine on sale for about $120 I think it was.

Damn, I think Meeg paid $159 :(


I would be looking for something with decent eads, a fuse (cheap and nasty don't usually bother with these) Switch on the unit/lead where it is easy to get too. If your not mounting it a decent plate to sit it on in the sand/dirt when your using it.

I'm going to mount mine under the passenger seat to alleviate that problem, I noticed that the switch wasn't particularly good quality. I reckon it'll just be easier to wire it permanently in & put a switch on the dash instead

[Slunnie]

I bought a new ARB just last Thursday, so they're still in the system. This one was sent out from Sydney or Melbourne somewhere.

I had an old one that was slow, but these new ones are pretty bloody impressive! They may not be the quickest on the market but they're quick and I couldn't justify paying more to save a few seconds. Actually my choice was also based on the ease of fitting it where the old one was and the ability to easily reconnect the locker solinoids.

[loanrangie]

I've got a D3 air susp. compressor :D.

[waynep]

=

Just compare it to the supercrap model, they're identical IMHO!



Well I though the Bushranger was a reasonably priced but looking closer I see they have it listed at RRP $462 - that's getting up there.. if Super Cheap's is from the same factory.

The ARBs ones made for airlockers do have that small reservoir tank and auto cut off switch. I find this very handy - with one of those servo type valves and gauge attached at at the tyre end, you can walk around pump up tyres just like in a servo. The compressor starts on demand.

[CaverD3]

Lonerangie,
Did you make an outlet for the air resevoir then?

[loanrangie]

Lonerangie,
Did you make an outlet for the air resevoir then?

Yes, just a 1m length of 6mm nylon pnuematic hose and nitto fitting from Enzed. Now deciding where to mount it or keep it portable.

[cooter]

i have an old ford starter motor belt driving an air con pump and will pump a 35 from 13 to 30 ps1 in 1 minutes and 15 seconds (or 1 beer if ya thirsty)
it is bulky (fits in a milkcrate) but is ridiculously fast

[Col.Coleman]

Yeah thought about fitting endless air or similar but I don't think there is enough room in the engine bay.

CC

[Treads]

Well I though the Bushranger was a reasonably priced but looking closer I see they have it listed at RRP $462 - that's getting up there.. if Super Cheap's is from the same factory.

Dunno if it's from the same factory, but the supercheap one appears to be a dead ringer for the bushranger max air model. Same look, same output, same accessories, etc. Different colour bag though :p

[Ferret]

I got one of the supercheap $120 jobs. Really happy with its performance but have not had it long enough to comment about its life ie overall value for money.

[CraigE]

Do not buy a cheap and nasty one you will regret it at the worst momment.
Any of the Thomas based compressors are good. I have had a Blue Tongue for for over 10 years and it has not missed a beat and I would thoroughly reccommend. I would buy similar if I had it over again. The Bushranger Airmax is not a bad compressor. I have bought 6 of them so far for work. They are to a price so not as good as some of the higher spec Thomas based models but not bad.
If I could afford it I would go the twin tongue.

[CraigE]

Dunno if it's from the same factory, but the supercheap one appears to be a dead ringer for the bushranger max air model. Same look, same output, same accessories, etc. Different colour bag though :p
I am sure I read a comparo in a 4x4 mag some time ago and while they look alike, they are infact quite different. With the supercheap one haveing significantly cheaper internals. From memory I think they fried the Supercheap one.
I may be wrong though.
;)

[CraigE]

Well I though the Bushranger was a reasonably priced but looking closer I see they have it listed at RRP $462 - that's getting up there.. if Super Cheap's is from the same factory.

The ARBs ones made for airlockers do have that small reservoir tank and auto cut off switch. I find this very handy - with one of those servo type valves and gauge attached at at the tyre end, you can walk around pump up tyres just like in a servo. The compressor starts on demand.

I have been paying $355 per compressor for the Max Air.
:p

[weeds]

I have been paying $355 per compressor for the Max Air.
:p

i paid $14500 for my max air:(.........the seller threw in my defender to seal the deal;):p

[solmanic]

Another vote for the Bushranger Max-Air here!

And yes, the el-cheapo copy is just a very good copy. From memory there is a critical part inside that is plastic in the cheapie but metal in the genuine one. Bushranger go to great lengths on their website to explain the differences since they obviously have suffered lost sales to the Chinese imitation.

I got the imitation one at Supercrap and it died on the first tyre. I had to limp across North Stradbroke Island with 18PSI in my tyres to the nearest servo to re-inflate. Not fun.

I now have the Bushranger and a lot more peace of mind.

[long stroke]

Ebay has some very interesting compressors on there some going for under $40! can't post a link can someone tell me how!

CHEERS TIM..