Outdoor Adventure USA

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PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSORS

For many, a portable compressor makes sense, and the market is full of products from which to choose. Like so much of what we do, this is one of the many areas in life where you get just what you pay for. Buying cheap rarely pays off, especially when you are 100 miles from the nearest "discount store" where you can (hopefully) get a warranty replacement for your busted air compressor. As the saying goes, the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

So, if you are the kind of guy that wanders into the outback and airs down his tires, and especially if you are the kind who lends his portable air compressor to his buddies, you need to do your best to get quality. There are several high quality units on the market, and a little bit of research goes a long way. Two features should be a must if you are going to depend on your compressor:

• Continuous duty rating

• Ability to connect directly to your battery

Here is an example of a quality portable air compressor:

EXTREME OUTBACK PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR https://www.extremeoutback.com/product/ ... 7-223.html

This compressor is the same unit as they make for permanent vehicle mounting, except it is housed in a portable can. It draws way too much power for connection to your trusty cigarette lighter port, so they provide battery connections. Its big, but it's portable. They make a smaller unit which is worth considering, if space is at a premium.

The "specs":

Portable version of the ExtremeAire Magnum with the following components:

- 10 feet of 4 gauge jumper cables
- 30 feet of polyurethane coil hose with hose whips on each end
- 40 feet of reach from the battery to end of air hose
- Heavy duty electrical quick disconnects
- All air fittings, quick disconnects and air chucks are solid brass
- All mounting hardware is stainless steel
- LED flashlight
- Stainless Steel pressur gauge
- Box size: 20" long x 8" deep x 9" tall
- Weight: 34 lbs.

AIR COMPRESSOR COMPARISON

For General reference purposes only, I put together a chart comparing the qualities of the various compressors that we have mentioned here in this Net Preview. Some of these specs may have changed since I prepared this, but it should give you a general idea of what to look for and which unit may best serve your needs. I recommend that you check out each unit that looks like a right fit for your vehicle and requirements. You will also be well served by looking at the compressors that others are using. Ask around.

Specs for On Board Air Compressors

1. Extreme Air
- Continuous duty cycle
- 3/4 horsepower motor
- 30-amp draw at 35psi
- 40-amp draw at 150psi
- 4 cfm free flow rate
- 150psi max working pressure
- Can be mounted upside down
- 14" long, 6" wide, 9", tall

2. Extreme Air Magnum
1.5 HP Motor
-95 amps @ 12.5 Volts DC
-Continuous Duty @ 150 psi
-6 CFM @ 0 psi
-2.6 CFM @ 100 psi
-Weight: 20 lbs.
-Dimensions: 16" long x 6" wide x 9.5" tall

3. ViAir model 450H
- 12-Volt
- Permanent Magnetic Motor
- Duty Cycle: 100% @ 100 PSI
- Max. Working Pressure: 150 PSI
- Max. Amp Draw: 23 Amps
- Dimensions: 12"L x 4"W x 6.75"H
- Net Weight: 11.05 lbs.
- 0 PSI / 1.66 CFM
- 100 PSI / .72 CFM

4. Oasis Model XD 4000
12 Vdc
(L x W x H) 21" x 7" x 11"
Net Weight (Lbs) 65
Max Pressure 200
Horsepower 2.2
Current at Max Load 180 amps
Duty Cycle @ 200 psi 100%
PSI CFM Current
0 15 50
50 9 100
100 8 150

5. ARB Model CKMTA12
12 Vdc
Duty cycle - 100% for 60 min.
Max pressure 150 PSI
0 PSI - 6.2 CFM
29 PSI - 4.6
Weight - 17 lbs
28 amps at 0 PSI
69 amps at 150 PSI

6. York
Rated to work continuously (explain)
4 CFM at 90 psi while at 1200 rpm. Motor must be running

7. Warn Dual Force
Max air pressure: 100 PSI
12 CFM @ 0 PSI
5 CFM @ 90PSI.

Great net topic.
Please check me in for tonight's net
(I carry a VIAIR 400P portable in my Jeep but would love to install a York type OB Air system)
Looking forward to the net.

Jack M.
KK6WXQ

Good evening OAUSA NET! Please log me in early if you will....thanks much!

Please check in John, KN6VL and Bruce, KD6GCO.

Early check in please...thanks

Please give me a check in.
James kg5pmn

A very portable, but expensive, ARB compressor and tank in a box.

I have had this elcheapo for about twelve years, stuck in my car's trunk...takes about five minutes to fill a car tire, and I have used it to fill my bike tires also. It has a removable, digital tire gauge, and can't remember what I paid for it...