OBA Options for 37's and air tools

[moab_cj5]

I am trying to decide what OBA setup to run on my JK. I am running 37's and I want to be able to run air tools. I have about $400 in budget, but if it is really worth it to go higher, I can. I have been looking at this Viair system (hence the $400 budget), but I am also looking at this one as well. Is the extra $60 worth it? What about this, or this for a good deal more?

I am a novice when it comes to air and understanding what cfm will do what. I guess I don't understand what I need vs. what I want.

Can someone help me assemble a kit that is similar to these or better for less money?

Where have other JK guys mounted their tanks and compressors?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[skippy]

Get a powertank and call it done make a quick release mount for it in the back of the Jeep

 

[BCGPER]

Mine's in back, just forward of the sub. You should have stuck your head inside for a look see. I mounted the compressor and tank back there because I've had problems in the past with the heat in the engine compartment overheating a compressor mounted under the hood.

 

[mesha]

Friends of mine that owned viair products liked them. They all said it either was worth it or would have been worth it to by the higher duty cycle options. Maybe that varies for everyone though.

As far as compressors are concerned I really like the twin cylinder ARB compressor, but it is really pricey.

I have had really good luck with my CO2 tank. I prefer the Source brand to powertank brand simply for price reasons. A 10lb Co2 tank is equal to 640 gallon air compressor at constant air pressure.

The more CFM your compressor puts out the easier it will do the job at hand. The bigger the tank the more reserve air you have for your compressor to "catch up" with the air demands.

Compressors with tanks and CO2 tanks are both good options.

 

[moab_cj5]

Mine's in back, just forward of the sub. You should have stuck your head inside for a look see. I mounted the compressor and tank back there because I've had problems in the past with the heat in the engine compartment overheating a compressor mounted under the hood.

Cool idea. I was thinking of putting the tank under the Jeep by my evap stuff, but I'll take a look a the back by the sub.

Do you find your setup interferes excessively with packing for a trip?

 

[moab_cj5]

Get a powertank and call it done make a quick release mount for it in the back of the Jeep

This is an option, but for the trips I want to take that are remote, I kinda prefer being able to replenish my supply with the compressor.

Mesha, thanks for the input!

 

[mesha]

This is an option, but for the trips I want to take that are remote, I kinda prefer being able to replenish my supply with the compressor.

unlimited air is a nice option for sure. A few things to think about regarding CO2 vs air compressor. If the battery is dead so is your air compressor. (maybe SOL either way). They can both be used for air tools at home if you don't have a compressor already(the CO2 is more expensive to use). Portability is nice. I love being able to switch from vehicle to vehicle with my air. Either can do this. The CO2 tank can be used as a back up welding tank(I use mine more for this than I do on the trail).

 

[moab_cj5]

I have a compressor at home, and I don't know how to weld. If the battery dies, I am screwed regardless!

So far, I only have 1 vehicle that needs oba, but I will be traveling with others that will benefit from my presence...Maybe I'll get invited more often???

Thanks for all the input so far!

 

[Trate D]

How many tire air ups do you guys usually get from a 10lb tank? Running say 35's or 37's....

 

[BCGPER]

Here's the fit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DAA]

That Puma is a bad azz 12V compressor. I've got a Viair, a few MV50's, an ARB twin and a Puma just like that one. The Puma is the best of the bunch.

I have the ARB twin mounted under the hood of my LJ. Have had issues with heat and compressors mounted under the hood before, as already mentioned. But I'm not sure if that is what is going on with my ARB or not. But it only runs both compressors when it feels like it. Seems like just about every time I'm in a hurry, or need a bunch of air quick, it only runs on one compressor. Not consistently one or the other, either. Never know which one is going to run. Happens when it really isn't that hot under the hood too. All in all, and especially for how much it cost, I am less than thrilled with my ARB twin and would not recommend it.

The Puma is WAY better bang for the buck. Especially since it comes with a tank, pressure switch, regulator etc. Hell, it's a better compressor period, never mind that it's less than half the cost.

Viairs... Quality. Well made. They work. Reliably. It's what I carry in my truck most of the time, unless I know I'll need a bunch of air, then I make room for the Puma. Because... While they are high quality, I've never seen a Viair setup that wasn't slower than old people in bed. They are all pretty low CFM I think.

- DAA

 

[Rottenbelly]

I run the dual Viair 480 c and a 2.5 gallon tank, runs 200 psi and fills the tank from 0 to 200 in about 4 minutes. Fill up 37s from 14 to 30 in about a minute. Supposesly rated at 3.54 cfm at 90 psi.
Been using viair stuff in my old low riders for years before the jeep

 

[blznnp]

Another option is a engine driven compressor, common ones at a York and a sanden, mini trucks use them all the time for the air suspensions, that's the set up I will be going with when I put in a compressor. The only problem I had when running the. Compressors was the noise an how long it would take. Granted mine were for air ride an so I could go through 10gallons of air starting at 200psi in a matter of seconds. But the engine driven compressors push a lot of CFM.

 

[Toad]

I realize that is not exactly oba. Have you considered IR cordless tools. I use a half inch cordless all day at work. I prefer it over my air gun. Price is not cheap but you can take it anywhere without being tethered to air.

 

[moab_cj5]

Thanks for all of the replies. I'll take a gander at the puma setups.

As for engine driven, I'll like having ac and I don't want to put more strain on my gutless wonder 3.8l awesome engine.

I have looked at cordless tools, but they don't air up tires...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...But I'm not sure if that is what is going on with my ARB or not. But it only runs both compressors when it feels like it. Seems like just about every time I'm in a hurry, or need a bunch of air quick, it only runs on one compressor. Not consistently one or the other, either. Never know which one is going to run. Happens when it really isn't that hot under the hood too. All in all, and especially for how much it cost, I am less than thrilled with my ARB twin and would not recommend it...

Hmmm, that doesn't sound right. I'm out of the shop through the weekend but I'll chat with the tech guys about your compressor and see what they think... wonder if your controller is working intermittently?

 

[Rottenbelly]

That Puma is a bad azz 12V compressor. I've got a Viair, a few MV50's, an ARB twin and a Puma just like that one. The Puma is the best of the bunch.

I have the ARB twin mounted under the hood of my LJ. Have had issues with heat and compressors mounted under the hood before, as already mentioned. But I'm not sure if that is what is going on with my ARB or not. But it only runs both compressors when it feels like it. Seems like just about every time I'm in a hurry, or need a bunch of air quick, it only runs on one compressor. Not consistently one or the other, either. Never know which one is going to run. Happens when it really isn't that hot under the hood too. All in all, and especially for how much it cost, I am less than thrilled with my ARB twin and would not recommend it.

The Puma is WAY better bang for the buck. Especially since it comes with a tank, pressure switch, regulator etc. Hell, it's a better compressor period, never mind that it's less than half the cost.

Viairs... Quality. Well made. They work. Reliably. It's what I carry in my truck most of the time, unless I know I'll need a bunch of air, then I make room for the Puma. Because... While they are high quality, I've never seen a Viair setup that wasn't slower than old people in bed. They are all pretty low CFM I think.

- DAA

I heard they had a batch of the dual arb compressors that only one was working. Had a few guys that got them. They contacted arb and got them replaced.

 

[DAA]

Hmmm, that doesn't sound right. I'm out of the shop through the weekend but I'll chat with the tech guys about your compressor and see what they think... wonder if your controller is working intermittently?

That would be great Kurt - I'd appreciate it! And hopefully the tech guys can tell us something. Just from the few other owners I have talked to, it seems a common issue with this model. I've only talked to like three other owners and two of them said theirs does the same thing. Mine definitely isn't an isolated case. Which is why I went as far as saying I would NOT recommend it.

The problem is intermittent. Sometimes it runs on both. Sometimes only one, but which one isn't consistent. Whenever it has been running on only one and I've attempted to troubleshoot, just unplugging the power connector for the non-running compressor and plugging it back in makes it work again. Until the next time I actually need to use it...

I hadn't heard about a bad batch and replacements. But I haven't called anyone either.

- DAA

 

[moab_cj5]

So, in looking at Puma, ARB, and Viair, how important is CFM when running an impact gun or air ratchet? CFM is cubic feet per minute of air movement, right? The higher the number, the better, right? why does it drop from 40 psi to 90 psi? I am comparing the Puma 2g 12v portable to the Viair 10009, and the ARB twin compressor that DAA doesn't recommend but has good specs (when it is working correctly).

 

[Rottenbelly]

4.0 cfm at 90 is about what most tool need. I can do about 3 or 4 bolts at a time then I have to let the tank fill back up. The higher the cfm the better. I look at cfm at 90 mostly.