Portable 12v Air Compressors

**HardCharger** · 19th June 2017, 08:10 PM

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** · 19th June 2017, 08:15 PM

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

**weeds** · 19th June 2017, 09:03 PM

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

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

**Tins** · 19th June 2017, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Vern

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** · 19th June 2017, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by johntins

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** · 19th June 2017, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by weeds

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** · 19th June 2017, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by johntins

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** · 19th June 2017, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by weeds

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** · 19th June 2017, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by weeds

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** · 19th June 2017, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by johntins

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.

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