Which Air compressor

jbrinks · Senior Member

Which Air compressor

Explorer · Guru

Just replaced mine from Bit Deals on Flea Bay. 160lpm $79.00 The original lasted 5 hard years until it got dropped onto rocks.

Kimberleys !! a wonderful place, enjoy.

Mike.

Bryan · Guru

I do a lot of beach work travelling to fishing spots and constantly airing down and back up again. I bought an ARB about 4 years ago and never regretted it.

PeterInSa · Guru

I purchased an OutBac unit, around early last year an older model than the unit below ( and cost around $50 more) from a Vic Company, and used it a number of times during a remote trip. To speed up the inflation I closed off the valve that allows you to set and forget, ie the compressor goes up to a certain pressure and no more.

www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-OUTBAC-12v-Car-Air-Compressor-4x4-Tyre-Deflator-4wd-Portable-Inflator-200L-/140821456440

If I was buying again I would look at the 300L/m unit.

Running the engine when using the unit, ie Current draw is around 45Amp, and also the fittings get hot with this current/air pressure.

Nothing to do with the operation of the unit, But I prefer a hard plastic carry case rather than the Canvas? bag.

Peter.

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Monday 21st of March 2016 05:28:14 PM

JeffRae · Guru

We got an ARB portable air compressor a few years ago, never had any trouble with it. We find it pumps the tyres up faster than the cheaper models
Here is a link www.arb.com.au/products/arb-compressors/

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Peterinsa . That's the same unit we have . Bought it on www.alababa.com for $45 to my door . Found the fibre bag ok . Threw in some puncture repaires kits too .,

dirvine · Senior Member

What you will find is that nearly all compressor quote 150 litres per minute. What they dont say is that figure is under no load. As they start to pump up pressure the rate drops off. Then they get hot and overheat. You can pay as little as $50 and as much as $700. It depends on your requirements. The best i have ever seen is one called endless air which is in basic terms a fan belt driven air conditioner unit. It pumps up like you would not believe. But it is expensive. I have a VLAIR and it has certified pump times. Costs a bit more but beats any of the others that ar echeaper and dearer. Its not a twin cylinder unit but it pumps into a 18 litre tank to 120psi in about 90seconds. I can pump you all 4 tyres on my 4WD whilst most other are still on their second. Just dont rely on magazines comparoes. Many of those are just glorified advertorials for thier sponsers. Unsealed (Mr 4 X4) did a comparo in a recent edition. Its on the internet and free.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I wanted small and light . If I wanted a perfect one I would take my 3HP compressor . But I'll leave that at home . I don't care if it takes time to pump up a tyre .. As long as it does .. Got other people out of trouble a few times .. Also found a 50 to 1 wheel brace helpful at undoing wheel nuts .. .

dirvine · Senior Member

Well Aus- Kiwi, why dont you? People ask questions and people offer advice. Thats all i was doing. Perhaps I could use that wheel brace for some other application? All I was saying is the cheap ones usually dont cut the mustard and people then wonder why they don't do as they claim. I think spending 1/2 an hour while tyres pump up as opposed to 10 minutes, is worth the extra cost of a certified unit, that will do the job everytime all the time. And the difference in price is not that great if you look carefully.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Your going by price .. I've seen one the same as mine in Repco for $399 .. Same bag same part number ., I parelell imported myself !! I do agree with you . There are cheap and there's cheap !!

blissonwheels · Senior Member

Gooday,

Went through this exercise about 10 years ago after having 2-3 cheap and nasties expire. Was luck enough to find one at a small engineering shop in Brisbane now closed it is called A FINI Flash. Was expensive but a brilliant piece of gear, Made in Italy the company is big in Air Compressors in Europe, do not think any body imports them here any more, if you google. Fini Flash. you will see it and they are still sold in the UK and elsewhere.

Old story-:' The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long after the Sweetness of Cut Price is Forgotten'

Cheers,

Bliss on Wheels.

aussie_paul · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Your going by price .. I've seen one the same as mine in Repco for $399 .. Same bag same part number ., I parelell imported myself !! I do agree with you . There are cheap and there's cheap !!

Value for money for an item that suits your purpose is my cup of tea.

Aussie Paul. smile

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

I would suggest there are some products where reliability is more important than value for money.
Consider the effect of your compressor not working when you need it to.
An extra $100 won't seem too important then.

Cheers,
Peter

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

So spend over $400 if it makes you sleep better .. I have compressed air outlet I can use from RV if I have to . I've. been using the one I have nearly every weekend at race track and drags . For the last two or so years . No problems .