Thread: Portable Air Compressor - What to get

There are a lot out there, and there have been threads before on this. You will end up with a lot of different opinions, which is great, because first hand experience with a particular unit is what you want.

It depends on how much you want to spend. There are cheaper ones out there that are doing a good job for people, then the price goes up, and up again in some cases.

Personally, I got a Sidewinder - Compressor ABR

Scroll to the bottom of the page, and they have the write up from Overlander magazine where this compressor went very well.

Mine has been used by me and all my mates for about a year now, including a round Australia trip (not by me unfortunately) where this was the only compressor for 3 vehicles and did a power of work, and after they got back, they all bought one. It will pump a 245/75/16 up from 20 to 40 PSI in about a minute. I've been with a group airing up after a day when I've done all 4 tyres, packed up and had a chat waiting on some to finish with a cheap unit. It doesn't get hot doing it either - very happy.

I'm sure there are others out there with good and bad things to say about various units as well.

Oh, and here's a thread from earlier - a bit more reading for you - 12v Compressor Recommendations ?

Cheers - Gav

yep lots to choose from....it really comes down to budget

i have a bushranger max air plumbed into my car. the previous owner installed it to provide air for the twin ARB lockers. its been sitting under the drivers seat for 15 years and has never missed a beat. i used it nealry weekly to pump the kids footballs up, bike tyres ect.......if i needed to buy another compressor i would be looking at the max air 2

Max Air 2

i personally don't like the coil/spring type hoses, i run your normal rubber type air line, it long enough to reach my camper trailer tyres

As Bacicat noted there are literally hundreds of options but for what it is worth I have had a Bushranger "Pro Air" or "Air Max" or something like that for the past 3 yrs.

Has never let me down, has inflated my tires as well as my mates in the past without trouble. It was mid range ($200 odd) from a price point of view, good quality fittings, compact and easily portable.

I tossed up cheaper options but in the end decided to go for something that had a good reputation. In reality this is a fairly small purchase that will serve you for many years so worthwhile getting a reasonable one.

Hope this helps.

George

Hi
I am buying one of these in about two weeks.

eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d

Seems a good price. Most 150lpm's are between $200-$300
A mate has a Super cheap 75lpm. Takes forever to inflate from 30-40psi its not funny. I think a hand pump would be faster! The thing gets that hot you could fry an egg on its head.

Hope this helps
R2

There are a couple of reviews around that help to get you head around the features and what to watch out for:

http://www.4wdaction.com.au/sites/de...RE%20air_2.pdf

There was a review in "4x4 Australia Gear Guide 2012" entitled "Air Travel" which I can't seem to find online. You may be able to get a back issue if you are interested. Results were:

#1 ARB Maximum Performance @ $790
#2 Broadbent @ $495
#3 Bushranger Super Max @ $495
#4 ARB High Output @ $ 349
#5 Terrain Tamer Series III @ $495
#6 OL Mean Green @$122 - $495 (4 different kits)
#7 Bushranger Max Air @ $396
#8 Bushranger Black Max @ $300
#9 OL twin Tongue @796
#10 Piranha Max Volume @ 185
#11 Piranha Red @ $495
#12 TJM Compressor @ $220
#13 Ironman FloMax @ $169
#14 Terrain Tamer @ $168

General Info:
4wd Air Compressors » 4wdlife
4wd Accessories at Tough Toys | Buy 4x4 Accessories, Off Road Accessories, Touring & Camping Gear online! - Portable 12v Air Compressors

Hope this helps to give you a start.

i have had a bluetongue II (thomas rebrand) from opposite lock for the last 10 years, it works contiously with no thermal cutout like others.
consider repair parts too, have heard arb very good with parts if needed for theirs.

buy the best you can afford and should last.

Happy with the ABR Sidewinder. About $200 a year ago. Worked just fine for our Kimberley Trip. The fine nozzle attachment is good for jetting bulldust out of door hinges too!

I'd also give the vote for a Blue Tongue II. As Yorkie says they work continuously. We used them at work for over 3 years repairing 1-3 tyres a day with no failures (back when you could fix your own tyres ). After that I bought one for personal use and have had no complaints.

They are probably up to a mark IV now though

cheers

steve