ARB high performance twin compressor

[Rox Crusher]

I've finally pulled my pistol out of my holster and have my finger on the trigger for ARB lockers, front and rear.

I'm considering going all out and buying their high performance twin compressor which is very expensive.

http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-On-Boar...olt-Twin-Air-Compressor-CKMTA12-P21341C9.aspx

I'm looking for any real world experiences as to the performance and reliability of this unit.

Let her rip, chip !

 

[Bukin 67]

I haven't seen that unit before. It looks like a high dij pair of binocs. Cool looking unit.

 

[Apogee]

I wish I could tell you my experience with it, but as of yet, all I can say is that it sure looks cool sitting on the tailgate.

 

[jw0747]

You can spend a lot less on a Viair compressor and get the same results. Mine produces enough air for the lockers and on-board air system.

 

[Mountain Ram]

I run a CO2 bottle... Can't help with the compressors, but it looks cool. Good luck!

 

[malonejy]

My buddy has one on his Heep and it's awesome. You have to be careful though, your buddies will want to air up their tires and you can end up burning it up.

Before you spend the $$, just be realistic about what you want to do with it. If all you're doing is using if for lockers, you can use their standard compressor. I'm currently running a Viar and it works fine for the lockers, but sucks for airing up my tires.

I love my Co2 tank, but depending on where you want to air up, (back at camp, before hitting the highway, etc) it can be cumbersome to drag along.

Hope this helps.

 

[broncojo]

Would seem a lot easier for on board air for sure, let us know if you do it. I'm interested.

 

[Rox Crusher]

I'm reserving space on accessory drive for a/c pump so no room for York.

I'm going to run the compressor with a tank of some sort.

I'm usually the guy delaying the group departure because I'm borrowing someone else's compressor.

 

[plumbdoctor]

Looks cool, you would still have to purchase the manifold for your locker solenoids, at least that's what I read.
I just bought their next size down comp, and found the side tank on eBay, to run...it would save a couple hundred.

But then again, I don't wheel as often as you

 

[hyghlndr]

I have this on one of mine, I haven't had the truck for long it seems to work very well.

 

[Broncitis]

Not a fan of any of these electric compressors personally. CO2 is a better bang for the buck IMO, and if just running the ARB's, you can use a small 5# kegerator type bottle or an even smaller paint gun bottle.

Very little volume needed to actuate the ARB's. I ran my a couple seasons on a 5# with a mechanical pneumatic toggle (looks like a regular metal toggle switch similar to the stock aux tank sender switch when installe in the dash). No electicial solenoids or compressor to fail, loud compressor, etc.

If you feel you need a compressor over CO2, I'd look at an engine driven unit. Even those do not flow all that much volume. all will need a reserve tank to even come close to being able to usefully use most air tools.

Hell, even when I tap into the airline on our tow rig (Volvo semi) which has the engine driven compressor for the air brakes, suspension, seats, etc., I can only run an impact for 30-60 seconds or so until the reservoir tank is depleted to much for any power. I often use it, but I also carry a large Powertank on the trailer as well since it takes forever to inflate a semi tire to 110 psi with the engine compressor.

During a trail repair in Moab last summer we had to plumb two rigs together that had York's (only one had a reserve tank) so that I could grind enough to prep for some welding we had to do. If I had my large Powertank we would have got through that much quicker. I could grind for 30 seconds then had to wait about a minute to build enough pressure in the tank to run another 30 seconds with any power to really grind.

 

[Rox Crusher]

Looks cool, you would still have to purchase the manifold for your locker solenoids, at least that's what I read.
I just bought their next size down comp, and found the side tank on eBay, to run...it would save a couple hundred.

But then again, I don't wheel as often as you

Keith, your about the ninth guy to confirm that it "looks cool" which ain't so impotent to me these days.

And your right, you gotta buy the manifold and some other over priced doo-hickeys.

My deal is that I love wheelin' but hate waiting around for the tires to air up. I also hate taking the wheels off and on with a ratchet when I am swapping wheels / wheel spacers when doing the rough stuff or ice racing.

The older I get, the more ass drag I suffer from.

 

[welndmn]

Like pretty much all ARB products, its a very nice unit, but like you said, very expensive.
With out the room for a York, I'd just get a cheaper electric compressor.

 

[Jeff10]

Hey Drew and Mountain Ram,

Do you guys have any reservations about CO2 for your lockers? I run a 15 pound CO2 bottle for tires and a single ARB compressor for the lockers in the '71.

The '70 also has ARB lockers; but, the PO used onboard air for the lockers, tools and train horn. I would like to keep the rebuild simple. I am planning on not re-installing the onboard air. I was considering the same setup as the '71... CO2 for the tires and a small ARB single compressor for the lockers.

Can you guys provide pics of the regulator/solenoid setup you have for your lockers? Are the located close to the tank?

Sorry for the hijack.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Mountain Ram]

My regulator and solenoid are right in front of the tank which is mounted on the passenger side rear inner fender- on the angle. I have had no issues with it there and it gets alot of attention- some people think it NOS!!

I have run on board air and CO2. Unless you have money to get a very good OBA with a decent sized tank- you will always wait on it (not for the ARB) and anything that small is questionable for tools. CO2 can fill tires quick and run just about any air tool... although it can freeze your hand and the tool. The downside to the CO2 is that once its done, its done. This has never been an issue in the years I have owned a tank, it is just a possibility. I think either is sufficient for the ARB- except if you pull the line off with the CO2 you will know it quickly...

The best pic I have of how mine is mounted at the moment is below I will do similarly on my new crawler build. My offroad experience is mostly with my non-bronco crawler on 44" tires and the CO2 filled those pretty well! You can see the orange bottle mounted in the bed in the background of the pic below.

 

[Jeff10]

Hey Mountain Ram,

Thanks!

I appreciate the pic and the advice.

Have you ever calculated how many air-ups you have per tank? I need to get some idea of the number of times I can go from 10 psi to 28 psi in the four 35" MTRs mounted on 15" wheels. I guess it hasn't become a priority yet.

Thanks again.

Jeff

 

[methcat]

puma/ebay has a fairly solid following for a budget 12V... another alternative.

 

[Mountain Ram]

Hey Mountain Ram,

Thanks!

I appreciate the pic and the advice.

Have you ever calculated how many air-ups you have per tank? I need to get some idea of the number of times I can go from 10 psi to 28 psi in the four 35" MTRs mounted on 15" wheels. I guess it hasn't become a priority yet.

Thanks again.

Jeff

Couldnt tell you that... I know the first time i filled the orange tank I had to seat the bead and air up two 44's from flat. I also filled several normal sized tires and ran an impact quite a bit without it killing the tank. I refilled it the next summer for under $30 at the time- and it wasnt empty when i did.

 

[Rox Crusher]

what size tank would you guys recommend if I do go with the electric compressor ?

 

[allenfahey]

During a trail repair in Moab last summer we had to plumb two rigs together that had York's (only one had a reserve tank) so that I could grind enough to prep for some welding we had to do. If I had my large Powertank we would have got through that much quicker. I could grind for 30 seconds then had to wait about a minute to build enough pressure in the tank to run another 30 seconds with any power to really grind.

I looked at the CFM specs on the ARB compressor and it wouldn't do well with air tools. My rig was one of those Broncitis described and I have a 7CFM York and a storage tank that is found on a semi. Ransil has a Explorer?? compressor and we worked them hard that day! Our group had a Power Tank but they were MIA. With any OBA air system to be able to run air tools you need alot of air storage but a Power Tank takes valuable space inside the Bronco.