ARB with PCM Problem

[XL Lunchbox]

Just installed the ARB CKMTA12 compressor with the Epic Kraken system, and the included Pressure Control Module.

First time testing, connected all the hoses, fired up the engine, turned on the compressor, connected and calibrated the app, and everything ran smoothly. All tires aired up and equalized. Thrilled. Then it all went to shit.

Turned the unit off. Turned off the engine. Reinstalled the seat. Cleaned up. Decided to take it for a test run again before calling it a success.

Go to switch on, compressor fires up. App won't connect to PCM. Can't find it. Retry a few times. Nothing. Check under the hood, and find a blown 40 Amp fuse. Replace. Now nothing fires up. Switch doesn't illuminate, compressor doesn't fire up, PCM can't be found. Nothing.

Have gone over all my connections, and everything seems solid. They can't have been too backwards or loose if everything worked correctly before. I'm at a loss.

Some people have been stating that the 40amp fuses are not suitable for the load of the compressor, but it doesn't seen like others are having this problem.

Any thoughts?

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[Terrymo]

Just installed the ARB CKMTA12 compressor with the Epic Kraken system, and the included Pressure Control Module.

First time testing, connected all the hoses, fired up the engine, turned on the compressor, connected and calibrated the app, and everything ran smoothly. All tires aired up and equalized. Thrilled. Then it all went to shit.

Turned the unit off. Turned off the engine. Reinstalled the seat. Cleaned up. Decided to take it for a test run again before calling it a success.

Go to switch on, compressor fires up. App won't connect to PCM. Can't find it. Retry a few times. Nothing. Check under the hood, and find a blown 40 Amp fuse. Replace. Now nothing fires up. Switch doesn't illuminate, compressor doesn't fire up, PCM can't be found. Nothing.

Have gone over all my connections, and everything seems solid. They can't have been too backwards or loose if everything worked correctly before. I'm at a loss.

Some people have been stating that the 40amp fuses are not suitable for the load of the compressor, but it doesn't seen like others are having this problem.

Any thoughts?

Just in general, changing the existing fuse designed for a product and its wiring to a higher amperage fuse to solve an electrical issue is never the correct answer if that is really your question. The first real problem that needs to be solved is why the fuse blew in the first place.

 

[XL Lunchbox]

Just in general, changing the existing fuse designed for a product and its wiring to a higher amperage fuse to solve an electrical issue is never the correct answer if that is really your question. The first real problem that needs to be solved is why the fuse blew in the first place.

Thanks, but no, that's not my question. I know better than to risk frying the compressor and everything by plugging in a higher amperage fuse. I just can't for the life of me find the problem, especially since everything worked perfectly initially.

At this point, I'm going to buy new 40a and 2a fuses, replace them all at once, and remake all my connections. Basically just uninstall and reinstall the entire wiring, and hope in the process, that I blindly find and fix the issue.

 

[XL Lunchbox]

Figured it out. Bad crimp on a ring terminal caused the connection to slip out, even though it looked good, and tested good until it was connected and there was a little tension on it.

Turns out I know HOW to wire things, or at least follow simple directions, but I'm not great at ACTUALLY wiring them.

Phew.

Works great, and super functional.

 

[Terrymo]

Figured it out. Bad crimp on a ring terminal caused the connection to slip out, even though it looked good, and tested good until it was connected and there was a little tension on it.

Turns out I know HOW to wire things, or at least follow simple directions, but I'm not great at ACTUALLY wiring them.

Phew.

Works great, and super functional.

Great!

 

[Bonsai Elephant]

I just had the same issue, ran before chair was bolted back in, ran for a couple of minutes during first use then total cut out.

I’ll check to see if I have a similar issue.

 

[47Jeepster]

Now that you've had the PCM up and running for awhile, what feedback on it's functionality can you provide? I plan on buying the Kraken mounting unit on Monday and seriously considering buying the PCM at the same time. So, it's kind of like at the wedding when they ask the congregation if anyone knows a reason for not proceeding.

 

[THAW]

So, it's kind of like at the wedding when they ask the congregation if anyone knows a reason for not proceeding.

"If anyone knows of any reason why the CKMTA12/CKBLTA12 and Pressure Control module should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace."

You have my blessing.

I built a homebrew digital pressure control system for my 4Runner before the ARB Pressure Control kit existed, and then carried it over when I got my JLUR. Mine uses an off-the-shelf digital pressure switch instead of a microchip controller and doesn't have an app but essentially provides the same functionality. I love it; it's as convenient as airing up and down gets. There are faster ways to air down, but none with the combination of precision and conveniently adjustable threshold.

Hopefully, you'll also get an answer specific to the ARB product.

 

[47Jeepster]

"If anyone knows of any reason why the CKMTA12/CKBLTA12 and Pressure Control module should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace." ...

Exactly ...

 

[Bonsai Elephant]

Now that you've had the PCM up and running for awhile, what feedback on it's functionality can you provide? I plan on buying the Kraken mounting unit on Monday and seriously considering buying the PCM at the same time. So, it's kind of like at the wedding when they ask the congregation if anyone knows a reason for not proceeding.

It's great! I had to replace the crappy fuses that ARB fits as standard with better quality (i.e. any other manufacturer) ones and now everything works fantastically, the PCM really makes life easy, just plug it all in, tell your phone what to do and let it get to work.

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