ARB Twin Onboard Compressor in Our 4WD (Maximum Output)
In this post we look at our ARB Twin Onboard Compressor setup in our 4WD. We have already done a post on how we fitted our ARB Twin onboard compressor in our 76 (70) Series Toyota Land Cruiser setup. If you want to see how we did this then read our post here.
Why the ARB Twin Compressor?
So why did we choose to go with the ARB Twin Onboard compressor in our 4WD setup?
Massive High Output
Firstly, from the research we had done, the ARB Twin Compressor is one of the highest output 12V compressors in the market. There are a few other 12V compressors that boast slightly better outputs which we will discuss further below. We really wanted a high output compressor as we not only have to pump up the four tyres on the 76 Land Cruiser but also the two on our trailer DOT373. The ARB Twin compressor allows us to air back up extremely quickly when pumping up these six tyres. This is quicker than it would take someone to pump up four tyres with a standard single motor compressor. The ARB Twin high output onboard compressor is expensive but there are a few reasons for this.
Rebuildable, Spare Parts & Longevity
The ARB Twin compressor is completely rebuildable as you can get spare parts for all ARB compressors. This is a massive plus as we plan on having this compressor for a very long time and we expect that over time there will be a need to replace certain components. Hopefully, this will save us money in the long run without the need to replace our compressor. On top of this, the ARB Twin compressor is built with quality components ensuring that we will not need to be replacing any parts in the medium term. It does have a 2-year warranty compared to 12 months on all the other brands. The ARB warranty provided us with further comfort as they trust their product will last.
Option to Add an Air Tank
There is also the option to add an air tank with the ARB Twin onboard compressor. That is if we ever decide to add one however, 18 months on we do not really see the need for one. We know that the ARB compressors have been tried and tested in Australian conditions for a long time and as this is one of the important bits of gear in our 4WD setup we chose not to go cheap.
Cheaper Alternatives
There are a couple of other 12V 4WD air compressors that boast higher outputs than the ARB Twin compressor below the $650 price tag. There is the cheap Adventure Kings Thumper Max Dual air compressor that supposedly almost doubles the output of the ARB Twin. Kings advertise a pressure output of 300 litres per minute. However, this compressor is not rebuildable and if (more likely when) it breaks you will probably be forking out for another one. Although you will be able to replace it almost three times and still be ahead when it comes to cost. We are not so keen on the idea of throw away gear that does not last. More rubbish to go into landfill. With a 4WD air compressor we would prefer to have something that we can rely on in the event something goes wrong in the middle of nowhere. The Kings Dual Compressor is not an onboard option however we are sure you could configure it to be.
There is also the Sherpa 4×4 Big Air Heavy Duty air compressor that boasts a bigger output than the ARB Twin at a slightly cheaper price. This Sherpa 4×4 option can be configured as an onboard or a portable compressor. We are not sure though if this compressor is rebuildable in the event something goes wrong. The Sherpa 4×4 compressor is slightly heavier as well at around 14 kgs compared to 9 kgs. There are a range of other smaller output air compressors in the market that we have not discussed here. We are simply comparing a couple of other options that boast a higher output than our ARB Twin compressor.
Choice Will Depend on Budget
At the end of the day, when it comes to your choice of compressor it will really depend on your budget and how you plan to use it. If you are not using your compressor too often, then a cheaper smaller portable compressor will be more than sufficient for your needs. We have used a cheaper portable compressor and had no issues at all. Just be prepared to take a bit longer when pumping up your tyres as well as having to store it somewhere that is easily accessible when required. When you are airing up regularly, you will find that having an onboard air compressor in your 4WD setup will be a far better option. Being able to simply connect your air hose, flick a switch and you are good to go is by far an easier experience.
ARB Twin Compressor Features
- Fully sealed for moisture and dust resistance.
- Hard anodised cylinder bore for reduced friction.
- Teflon-impregnated carbon fibre piston seal for maximum trouble-free life.
- Anodised mounting bracket dissipates motor heat and allows compressor to be repositioned 180 degrees with the vehicle mounted model.
- Quality components for quiet operation and extra-long life.
- Constructed entirely of lightweight, high strength engineering grade materials.
- Integrated pressure switch and relays.
- IP55 brushless fan cools electronics, motors, and cylinder heads (dust and waterproof).
- Over-pressure safety valve equipped.
- Motor is internally thermal protected against extreme temperature damage.
- Heavy duty maxi-fuse equipped for professional in-line circuit protection.
- On-board models are available in 12V or 24V depending on your requirements.
- 100% duty cycle for continuous airflow.
- Suitable for an additional air tank if needed (comes standard with the portable model which is more expensive).
Cost & Additional Extras Required
The ARB Twin compressor is available in both onboard and portable options. The onboard twin motor option costs $650 (plus extras that are required) compared to the portable option which costs $950. The portable option is more expensive as it comes with an integrated air tank, air hose, fittings and carry case. With the ARB Twin Onboard compressor option, you need to buy an air hose as well as fittings. The ARB pump up kit includes an air hose and fittings at an additional cost of $70. If you do want to run an air tank this is another additional cost; the ARB 4 litre air tank will set you back an additional $173. The onboard option does also come with a full wiring loom and mounting hardware. ARB do try and sell you an optional mounting plate which we did not need, it is expensive so try and stay clear of this if you can. There are eight different threaded mounting points behind the compressor which should be more than sufficient for mounting in most setups; you only need to use four of these so the eight provides you plenty of options.
To see what is involved in installing the ARB Twin onboard compressor, read our post here. You will need to buy a few additional items depending on where you are mounting the compressor.
Two Motors = Super Fast
The ARB Twin Compressor has two motors compared to the single high output version. As a result, the ARB Twin Compressor will work twice as fast as the single version. We have tested this out as one of our mates uses the single version and we always finish all four tyres while they are starting on their third. This compressor is one of the fastest when it comes to pumping up your tyres. Going from around 15 PSI to 42 PSI takes less than two minutes per tyre.
100% Duty Cycle
What does duty cycle mean? Basically, a compressors duty cycle tells you how long the compressor can run verses how long it should rest. The ARB Twin compressor has a 100% duty cycle. This means that it can run continuously for a 60-minute period. Not that you would do this for temperature and other reasons, but it does provide a constant airflow over a long period of time. Compare this to say a compressor with a 50% duty cycle, where you can only run it for 30 minutes in a 60-minute period requiring 30 minutes of rest in that time. The duty cycle rating basically gives you an idea on the run time and rest time required to maintain optimal operating performance of your air compressor.
ARB Twin Compressor Specifications
- Supply Voltage – 12V (you can get a 24V option)
- Current Draw (No Load) – 28 Amps
- Current Draw (Load) – 50 Amps
- Air Flow @ 0 KPA – 174.4 litres per minute
- Air Flow @ 200 KPA – 132 litres per minute
- Air Flow @ 0 PSI – 6.16 cubic feet per minute (CFM)
- Air Flow @ 29 PSI – 4.68 cubic feet per minute (CFM)
- Duty Cycle – 100%
- Load Protection – Yes in wiring loom
- Pressure Cut Out Switch – Yes
- Air Filters – Yes x 2
- Thermally Protected Motor – Yes
- Weight ~ 9-10 kgs
- ARB Part Number – CKMTA12
Overall Verdict
After more than 18 months of use in many different conditions what do we really think about our ARB Twin onboard compressor? Overall, we have been extremely happy with how this compressor has worked. It takes no time at all airing back up, and our onboard setup makes this process so quick and simple. Let us lay out all the pros and cons in our opinion.
Pros
- Extremely high output meaning we can air back up extremely quickly.
- High output is great when having to pump up trailer tyres as well.
- The onboard option is a small unit for its output compared to most portable compressors.
- Smaller size allows for easy onboard mounting options.
- Only weights around 9-10 kgs which is great for the high performance.
- Spare parts available for all ARB compressor components.
- Compressor is completely rebuildable due to the availability of spare parts.
- 100% duty cycle providing constant air flow without the need to rest the compressor.
- Does not run as hot as our previous portable single motor compressor.
- Wiring loom comes with plenty of cable length for easy installation.
- Ability to mount the onboard option in many different configurations.
- Runs fairly quietly compared to some portable compressors.
Cons
- Very expensive compared to other brands.
- Onboard option does not come with an air hose and other fittings adding to the cost making it more expensive.
- Total cost of compressor, pump up kit and hose fittings for the install is around $750. If you decide on going with the ARB Digital Tyre Inflator that will cost you another $79.
Final Thoughts
From what you can see from the above we have far more pros than cons. The only real negative being the cost and additional items required to get up and running. We have heard of a few people having issues with motors on the ARB Twin compressor, but this seems to be an issue from a few years back and appears to have been resolved since then. However, if we did run into any issues, we are confident that ARB will help us out as they have always been good to deal with especially at ARB Maroochydore.
The biggest hurdle with this compressor is going to be the cost. The portable option is extremely expensive however it does come with a 4-litre air tank, however we do not think this is necessary for a normal 4WD setup (looks cool but do you really need one?). There are cheaper options out there that claim to have as high or an even higher output, but double check if you can get parts for some of these. Being that the ARB Twin compressor is completely rebuildable provides us confidence that we will be able to continue to use this compressor for a very long time. There is nothing worse than having to throw away gear into landfill. Try and buy good quality gear that will last forever. If the price of the Twin is outside of your budget, then look at the ARB High Output Single motor option or even some of the other brands like TJM that have a good single motor compressor.
Thanks for reading about our ARB Twin high output onboard compressor. If we have missed anything or you have any questions or feedback, please comment at the bottom of this post. To read about our ARB Digital Tyre Inflator that we use with this setup, read our post here. For more information on how we installed our ARB Twin onboard compressor in our 4WD setup, check out the post here. For more information on our compressor on the ARB website click here.
This is not a sponsored post; we bought this gear, and it is our honest feedback after 18 months of use.
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Thanks for reading legends.
The thoughts of Peter.
