Power Tank or ARB

OK OK I'm definitely seeing your point lol

 

I did. Also had to fabricate the mount and drill a hole to get it mounted, but otherwise nothing shows and I didn't have to lose my spare.

 

I'm with you..I also will only hit the trails a few times a year. Definitely worth considering

 

Interesting

 

That's good you didn't have to lose your spare

 

I'll have to look into it

 

Not 100% on topic, but for those with 31 inch or smaller tires the small Viair portable compressor that plugs into your cig lighter works very well.

I am offroad at least 30 trips per year. Due to trail quality, I have to air down on each trip from 30lbs to 23-24lbs. Then air back up to 30lbs before hitting the pavement. Takes me about 1 minute per tire, so 4 minutes total to add 28 lbs air. Just enough time to have a coffee, beer, or drain your hose.

Tires are BFG KO2 size 265 75 16.

Works great for that setup. I have used this model about 100 times now without any issues. However, this ad shows the “press on chuck” to attach to the valve stem. I have the same model but mine came with a threaded screw on valve attachment which is more reliable and easier to use. The existing plug in power cord is long enough to reach through the door to all 4 tires but if you go this route make sure the one you get has a long enough power cord.

$75 VIAIR 84P - 00084 Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor for Car, Truck & SUV | 12V On/Offroad Heavy Duty Pump 60 PSI, Cigarette Plug, Press-On Chuck

https://www.amazon.ca/VIAIR-84P-Por...ocphy=1001909&hvtargid=pla-454008307132&psc=1

 

I’m running 285/70/17 Grabber X3 MT, on factory wheels. I’m out wheeling about every weekend I run between 32-35psi on street and 15psi always on trail. I’ve had the summit off -road compressor for almost a year now. My friend runs 35 Cooper MT down to 15psi on trail and I think maybe 34psi on street. He has an ARB dual he has been airing me up now after our runs because mine has been fallen apart as I air and is now in route to be returned so I can purchase the ARB single. Just as good for my needs and half the cost as the double. Yes maybe not as fast but the money point is great and the readability is what is wanted after trail runs.

 

I considered the Power Tank but passed. The refill will just become one more thing to do.

If you went with the power tank and you want lockers you have 2 routes.

1. You do Eatons electric lockers so no compressor needed. The Eatons are more expensive than the ARBs.
2. You go ARB selectables with a compressor, so you end up with a power tank and the compressor anyway.

There are many mounts for the ARBs on the market. I would recommend to stay away from the in cab mounts. They look good in the pics, on IG and certain Youtube channels which obviously are getting handed products. If you are not used to having a compressor, they are extremely loud. Also if you actually use it off road, the in cab mounts under the seat or under the back seat are a logistical nightmare. Think about running air lines to the opposite side of the truck, are you going through the truck, going under it, are you in some heavy mud, are you throwing the air line over the truck to reach the tires on the other side. The in cab mounts are for looking good in pics, thats it. This is in relation to our daily use trucks, If you have a full time trail buggy, thats a different story.


Here is an ARB compressor install --

https://youtu.be/dU5F1ccnFnc

Here is how I ran my air lines to remote chucks --

https://youtu.be/dB0muc0XWX8

Here is the locker air lines/switches/solenoid install --

https://youtu.be/snhGjtQz0uQ

 

Forgive my ignorance, but why doesn’t anyone put an air tank in their truck that the ARB keeps pressurized like a home air compressor set up? Then you could air up in seconds, or even run an impact gun for tire changes.

 

Work gives out Amazon gift cards for every new customer to all employees. I saved mine up for a Viair constant duty oba kit. Used it air up myself so far. Can already see a few things where having an air source available will make things a bit easier.

 

Tanks take up valuable space and larger tanks have to go in the bed or in a rack unless you move your spare.

I gave up the cubbies behind the rear seats to the compressor and 2.5 gallon tank.

 

Option 3. Run your air lockers off your power tank.

 

Having had both the 15lb PowerTank and the ARB single, here’s my thoughts:

The PowerTank is fast for sure, but the storage, refilling (which was $40 per time here and sometimes they kept it overnight which was a major inconvenience) and fear of it running out when more air is needed was a major reason for getting away from it. I used it with our trailer setup, so six 33” tires to air up on trips, and it’d only last me 3-4 air up cycles, which I could easily exceed on a long weekend.

The ARB single was notably slower to fill, but acceptable for my use, it was nice having “unlimited” airing up abilities and it tucked away under the hood without robbing storage space and was easier to deploy.

I’m going to fit an air up kit to my new Tacoma and it’ll be the ARB dual compressor. Same pros as the single, but faster.

Unless you need the pros of the tank (air tools, setting a bead, etc) the compressor is a clear better choice IMO.

My pregnant wife saying the single ARB was too slow and we need the dual:



My experience with fill up times, from 12-18 PSI to 36 PSI on 33” tires, attachment on to attachment off, was as follows:

Powertank: ~30-40 seconds per tire
ARB Single: 90-120 seconds per tire
Expected ARB Dual: 60-90 seconds per tire

All would probably be 5-10 seconds faster if I had a gauge that read constant pressure instead of having to stop and check PSI a few times towards the end.

 

Yes, with a ton of work if you want to make it function with the same ease as the ARB kits. The wiring from scratch does not sound like fun.
Have you seen anyone do it yet? I have not.

 

Thanks for posting this. That overnight wait time would piss me off. I didn't even think about that.

 

I have done this in my TJ with a home-brew CO2 tank setup. I use pneumatic switches instead of the solenoid-operated ARB ones along with a vacuum block behind the dash. It is way less wiring than the stock ARB setup and I don't have to worry about the solenoids going bad. Oh, and I can engage the front locker before the rear if I want.

I also used adaptors on the axle ends to ditch the 4mm ARB line for 3/8 hose. I figured that it would be easier to source replacement hose in that size in case the line gets damaged.

 

Very nice. How often were you filling the tank? I'm guessing you had enough line to reach all the tires without moving the tank. Or a simple connection to the pneumatic switches so you could easily unplug/re plug.

 

I opted for an ARB dual. I thought about the tank, but it wasn't really good for my needs and with air lockers, the compressor was necessary. If it takes me a few minutes longer to get off the trail, no big deal. I won't run out of air when I need it and no need to spend money to refill!

 

If I use the CO2 tank for tires I unplug the line to the lockers at the tank and then hook up another line with an inflator. My Jeep has 37" tires so I would have to fill up the tank quite regularly. If it is just operating the lockers a tank lasts a long time. I picked up a

$322 Viair 450P /45043 Automatic Portable Compressor, Tire Inflator Kit, Air Compressor for Truck, Jeep, SUV, and Car Tires, Portable Air Pump Kit, Car Accessories, 100% Duty Cycle, 150 PSI/1.80 CFM, Silver

Viair 450P after I set up the CO2 system that I sometimes use for tires if I'm on conserve mode with the tank. I though about installing a small reserve tank so the Viair can run the lockers if I run out of CO2 but space is limited in a Jeep so I haven't done that yet.

The good thing is that I can take either system and throw it into the Tacoma if need be....although my Tacoma only goes on mild trails and only has the factory rear locker.