The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

Thanks Nate, I saw your update in your thread, thought I'd reply here...

My project slid by five days due to an online retailer who couldn't deliver the compressor... Got that fixed, but now I'm running out of time so my install will be in two parts.

Version 1.) Will be ARB Twin stuffed into an aluminum case with battery alligator clamps, 25' air hose, and ARB tire inflator.
Version 2.) Will be a hard mount in the truck.

I had an exceptionally difficult time choosing which compressor to go with. In the end, the ARB Twin packs the most punch in a very compact package, and ARB has a great reputation for warranty support. Brown just emailed me; it's on my front doorstep.

 

Time for a time quote.

Work is hard. Distractions are plentiful. And time is short. -Adam Hochschild

 

Air Compressor shipping carton.


Retail packaging


Compressor


ARB's crazy ass wiring harnesses with huge slow blow fuses, molex and other assorted DC connectors and rocker switch.


As usual, kids do hilarious things like, install themselves into enclosed spaces.

Soy packing peanuts became the hit of the day




Getting down to business,
Installed some Milton V fittings on an air hose. 25' 1/4"


I installed a Milton quick connect fitting into a street elbow and then installed the assembly into the manifold. Everything is 1/4" NPT fittings.


Built a power harness. Soldered and crimped some clamps onto the power harness, used some 2" deck screws for strain relief, dressed with split loom auto-grade vinyl electrical tape.


I also installed some split loom on the power leads of each compressor to make it look better and protect it better.

The second to last step will be to install a piece of jumper wire to make the compressor ON all the time, hillbilly--yes, but it will work just fine until I can do phase 2 hard mount. Remember this thing has an internal pressure switch for 150 PSI, so when the air hose is plugged in and compressor running it will pressurize the hose to 150PSI and STOP.

Tonight it goes into a case.

 

Dig it!

 

Compressor can run indefinitely with no load, but remember all I have to do is walk over to the battery and remove the clamps. I may install a switch but I am almost all out of time.

 

Thanks man!

 

Have you also considered CO2? I'm wondering pros/cons of either. I know they each have their merits, but looking at all your adventures, curious why you went with a compressor. Will you be adding an additional air tank for reserve?

 

If I could have fit a CO2 tank into my rig I would have done it. My goal was speed, and CO2 takes the cake. I went with the ARB Twin which puts out the most air for it's size, plus I can always add another ARB, like the

$338 CKMA12 On-Board Air Compressor High Performance 12 Volt for Air Locker Differentials and Tire Inflation

CKMA12 and climb into the 9+ CFM range. I don't think it will be necessary though. The ARB Twin can blow up 33" tires from 20psi to 40psi in about 2 minutes 10 seconds according to @Chux.

 

For $30, I also picked up the ARB tire inflator with gauge. I'm not crazy about it, but it seems decent enough. Holds pressure, zero air leaks. Gauge seems to be about 1 PSI off at 40. It has a release button which can let air out of the tires, which is nice. Made overseas, comes with 2-year warranty.







Holds nice and firm on the valve stem, no leaks, easy to attach / detach.


EDIT: I modded the tire inflator in October 2016

 

Awesome! Where are you going to mount it?

 

I have one of those along with a co2 tank. Works pretty good but I've noticed you gotta make sure it's on the valve good.

 

Although I have a co2 tank, I plan on a compressor too. I may do a locker in rear but I also want compressor as backup and posibbly for air tools.

 

Patiently waiting for the OBA hard mount write up to shamelessly duplicate on my truck. Looks good brother. I've been thinking about a tool box chest in the bed to have a removable OBA setup but hard mounting it would probably benefit me more to keep bed space with the short bed.

 

I haz single and get 33" tire from 20-40psi in 2mins 10secs. You should surpass that time with the twin.

 

Where do you have your single mounted? I'm looking at going under the hood on the passenger side, but will need to fab a bracket

 

Holy shit! I just see that I misread your post from August! I thought you had the twin!

Take a look in the OBA Mega Thread for ideas. Lots of great installs to peruse.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oba-on-board-air-mega-thread-bs.299523/

 

Probably behind the rear passenger seats.

Got to have air, and a backup is excellent practice. I'll continue to pack the Viair 90P I have now as a backup...

Yes. We constantly fighting space issues. I'm glad to share what I do, but for OBA, I'm definitely not a leader. I'm following others examples. Check this post for what I'm thinking of doing.

I have the super cheap, ultra reliable, last forever Teraflex tire deflators for $15.

 

Do you have a big trip or something coming up and you're just trying to get the compressor up and running? It doesn't seem like you at all to want to do things twice. How long do you plan on keeping the compressor in the aluminum box before you end up hard mounting it?

 

Hi Leppz!

Right! Just get it up and running. T minus 20 hours until departure. Not a big trip, but a trip nonetheless. I hope to hard mount it in a few weeks, the portable solution will buy me much needed time.

The box was not purchased, I obtained it through the collapse of company I once labored for during the turn of the century.

Anyways we're going to go on a trip to see if we can find some more Peninsular Big Horn Sheep.

 

Exactly what I did, passenger side under hood, made my own mounting bracket.