Onboard air compressor recommendations

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Canks

Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2011
Posts
21
Reaction score
28
I run around Glamis @10psi, its awesome. I also drive too and from each end of Glamis on the road (7-8miles) @10psi, I just keep it under 55-60. As previously mentioned its just gas mileage and a little tire wear. It is a little wallowee at that pressure. In the sand i'd go do deep in to the single digits if I needed to for a stuck situation (this is why my truck has beadlocks, Glamis sand and Baja silt). So far 10 psi is great though.... I used to run my old canam at 2psi in the sand, but that was race tires with beadlocks.

I've been running sub 15 psi on the street for years in between rock crawling trails. Its no big deal, just understand what you are doing.

As for CO2 vs. compressor, I'll join in what feels like the minority here. I've ran on both/all three (compressor, CO2, N2). I work in the gasses world and get tanks filled free with work. My experience is that I prefer the hard mounted compressor/reservoir, A proper setup will match a CO2 tank. I like the initial extra work to hide a compressor and tank in unused space and having a virtually unlimited air supply, no pneumatic tool freeze up, no refilling tanks, no hydro tests.

This is just my opinion. I ran on CO2 for more than 10 years and have switched back.


Fun fact Nissan used to include a "mini" CO2 tank with their new cars to fill up spare tires when you had a flat. They stopped providing these after people would overfill their tires and the CO2 would cause the tire to explode after heating up on the highway (CO2 is extremely temperature/pressure sensitive, this is one of the reasons it is filled/sold by the pound and not by pressure like other gasses). Nissan wanted our company at the time to dispose of those for them, these became my first air source. I'd bring a couple to the trail head each trip. Worked great.
 

Christyle

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2019
Posts
171
Reaction score
301
Location
Orange County, CA
Another vote for c02. It's super cheap to get a 150psi fixed regulator and hose, find a tank on craigslist and you're set. No need for a bling powertank setup to me. Getting a big tank mounted somewhere securely is another story though. I have a 20lb and the only real problem is not knowing how much is in the tank with a fixed reg, and the tank lasts long enough sometimes you forget how much is left. Still easier to me than bothering with all the air setups. I have an old compressor as well, but it's slow and heats up quick. I'd have no problem driving around on tires at 25 or so for a good while until you find a gas station either.
 

JohnyPython

FRF Addict
Joined
Oct 28, 2018
Posts
8,888
Reaction score
36,428
Location
Canada
Just ordered a 10lb Co2 tank and other bits to make my own portable air.
I’ll post everything up when I get it.
 

Big Blue

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Posts
4,114
Reaction score
6,674
Location
USA
There are lots of great portable compressors on the market. I had a ViAir before going the HPA route. The only advice I would give is to be sure you get a 100% duty compressor or it's gonna shut down every 3 minutes.
 

Jeff Drewett

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2020
Posts
10
Reaction score
5
Location
Kennedale, TX
Plenty of threads on compressors, but thought I'd come in here too. I had the ARB twin compressor mounted under the rear passenger seat with the BajaMod bracket and it was perfect. Would totally do the exact same way again.
About to install this same set up and wanted to ask where you penetrated your firewall or cab to get the compressor motor leads out to the battery. I’m planning on triggering the switch for the relay from the passenger side fuse panel but am still undecided on where to run the 10 gauge leads…
 
Top