Portable air compressor - input

The 400P is a bit larger and has a higher CFM at higher PSI increments.

 

I see that at 12v they both have 2.30CFM /150psi.. i do see that the 400 is 12/24V where the 300 is only 12V.. ok i see the fill rate is a bit faster at higher psi’s on the 400.. but only by a smidge..

Thanks

 

Looks like the 400p gives you 5ft more hose (30ft vs 25ft with the 300p). Also the 400p is rated to do 35" tires vs the 300p is rated to fill up to 33". And I'm sure the fill rates/ time is going to be a slight difference.

 

I've never heard anyone say they bought one size too BIG. Have heard it brought up that they might have got one that's too small

And we aren't talking thousands of $$$$$$.

Go big or go home

 

Go with something bigger if you have room but even a larger tank won't do much if your compressor isn't capable of around 4 CFM @ 90 psi (that's the spec on my twenty year old Ingersol Rand 1/2" impact wrench). The link below may be useful for determining the CFM and pressure requirements of various air tools. The article is for 120V compressors but that doesn't affect the tool requirements. Scroll down about half way for the chart.
https://www.garagetooladvisor.com/air-tools/what-size-air-compressor/

Real world experience - I can easily run air tools off my TJ with its engine driven York compressor, 3 gal tank and hand throttle set to 1500 RPM. I cannot get more than one lug nut off with the MV-90 that I carry in the Tacoma ($140 and a good mid priced 12V compressor) and a 5 gal tank pressured to 125 PSI without having to stop for the pressure to rebuild. Lots of variables in this and YMMV.

 

Correct, you will need a tank to operate an air gun with most 12V compressors. Not even the twin ARB has 4CFM at 90psi so if an impact is your desired use I would suggest a 2.5-5 gallon tank. If taken off a full 8 lug tire with a 2.5 gallon tank and by the time I went to the other tire the tank was full to remove those lugs (and same for the other tires). What you’ll do is have a regulator coming off the tank set for 90PSI to run the impact off. That way you won’t be running the impact off the compressor(s) but off the air in the tank. The compressor will solely fill the tank to the pressure desired by your pressure switch. Of course, York is an entirely different type of compressor, belt driven vs direct driven but their are cons for a York model too. It all really depends on what uses you have in mind.

 

OR.....Get 18v/20v rechargeable impact. I carry an 18v Dewalt sawzall, impact, screw gun/drill, and a flash light, plus 1/2 dozen charged batteries. Compressor just for blowing up tires.

Not having impact tethered by air hose is super convenient.

 

Question for anyone who’s done this. If I were to buy a viair 400 and down the road mount it somewhere and add a receiver tank is there an auxiliary pressure switch to add the tells the compressor when to start and stop or is this just done with a manual switch? More or less how a shop compressor works?? Thanks!

 

I see a pressure switch in the system....Most of these compressors are aided significantly by minimizing run time. They tend to heat up otherwise.

 

It already has an internal pressure switch built in for 120PSI on/150PSI off. Essentially you would just plumb the compressor to a tank, then have a remote switch somewhere to control the compressor. You won’t need an auxiliary pressure switch. You can leave the compressor in the on position and it won’t turn on unless the tank drops below 120PSI.

 

If you want to run air tools, get a 200psi system instead of 100psi. Makes a big difference.

 

This is likely what I'll end up doing. Having air tools would be awesome, but sounds like too much work to set up at the moment. At the end of the day, I still have the great air-up capability of the ARB Twin (which is a win all by itself).

 

I ordered an AC powered pancake compressor from Harbor Freight which draws 2.6 amps. With 400 watts at bed plug it should work as that should be 3.3 amps. Don't care for attaching leads to battery. Will see how it works.

 

Just saw this in another thread

VIAIR 400P - 40043 Tire Inflator Portable Offroad Air Compressor for Truck & SUV | 12V On/Off Road Tire Pump Air Compressor Portable Heavy Duty 150 PSI, up to 35" Tires, Alligator Clips

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X9AXR8

Edit: Nevermind.....it was $157....now it's $199

 

This thing rocks. You wanna fill truck tires quick or run tools...you can divorce the tank and compressor for hard mounting on a rig. I keep mine portable.

$528 Puma Industrial PD1006 D.C. Oil-less Direct Drive Series Air Compressor, 0.75 H.P, 3000 RPM, 135 PSI Max Working Pressure, 1.5 Gallon Tank Capacity, Continuous Duty Cycle

https://www.amazon.com/PD1006-Puma-Volt-Compressor-Gallon/dp/B00W1TNO6U

 

Price at Home Depot. On line.

 

Looking at buying the 400P automatic and the best price I’ve found is $217 from Amazon. Didn’t see that model on vm innovations website and I had previously added one in my cart on amazon and now that one is no longer available. Any cheaper suggestions?

 

Hmm. Can I plug a compressor to the AC outlet in the back? Or is that risking some fuses.

This past weekend I borrowed a cheap little Kobalt compressor from someone on the trail. Cigarette lighter for power. Took about 3 minutes to air-up each tire after our run. It was hot as hell after and was struggling.

I don't need anything fancy but I'm wondering what would be the best middle ground. I'll probably just leave it behind my seat or maybe install it in the cubbies in the back back

 

I made my own portable air station. Yes, overall it was pricey but I use it often and it's handy when in a group who've aired down.

 

Amazon just raised the price from 217 to 240 for the 400p automatic!!! That’s the 2nd increase I’ve seen in the last few months. Now I’m bummed I waited. Any other cheaper options?