Hard wire or portable air compressor?

[GrayWolf.Overland]

If you are out on trails at least once a month, hardwired air compressor is a great investment.

Think about it, if you are using a portable one

• You have to get out and connect it to the battery terminals
• Irrespective of whether its raining, snowing or dust storm - you have to keep the hood open till you are aired up
• The compressor itself has to sit outside in the elements - not sure if that might cause any long term damage when soaked in rain.

Kraken gives you both a 4 tire inflation kit and also gets the compressor mounted and wired internally. If that is steep investment, you can always do the under passenger seat mount kit from ARB and use a 4-tire inflation hose system with the connector hose a bit longer to cover for the single air up slot being offset at the passenger seat.

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[Nash_Dj]

Hard wired ARB dual, underneath the passenger seat, and DIY inflation/deflation hose set...
Works like a charm!

 

[Camaroboi13]

I've had a Viair 440P for years. It was a backup for my truck and never saw use until I started wheeling last year with the JL. I pieced together a dual tire hose system from Harbor Fright parts. Works pretty well. The compressor fits in an ammo can, the hoses fit in a soft bag.

I was looking at the Moreflate twin and ran across the same compressor on Alibaba for $60. I bought one and it arrived on my doorstep for about $112 after all the shipping and duty. I haven't tried it, but I did see a great video on modifying here

everything in that video is accurate. I go from 32 to 15 back to 32 on all four tires in just over 7 minutes. The compressor originated at Napa Auto Parts but has been discontinued for 3 years. There are several variations out there. Mine was 129 from a guy on Facebook who also has a page all about the modifications. Worth every penny. I hardwired mine in the bed of my JT. Bought a cheap set of 25 foot jumper cables on Amazon, cut the ends off and added Anderson connectors to it so I can remove it. Also DIYed my own up/down hoses and connectors.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Sounds like a hassle. Up here people get them filled at beverage supply places and/or firefighter supply stores. Super easy, pretty cheap, and no ID required. (Not sure why ID is necessary for CO2?)

It has to do with the greenhouse gas laws, like when we buy freon, etc. Basically, the state is counting how much of these gases are being sold, manufactured, imported. A $6 can of R134 got a $10 recycle fee, with a 30 day forfeit clause. You lose the recycle fee after that. We have to register before eating a pickled egg.

 

[Speed331]

I've had the ARB single mounted to the driver's side firewall for three years now without any issues. Wired to run off one of the auxillary switches, it has been used endlessly.

Not only for wheeling, but my drivers at work often travel through construction sites and are constantly picking nails and screws -We usually discover this the next morning when the tires are flat. Poping in a plug and airing them up in a tight parking lot is much easier with an external connection rather then running hoses or power lines through an open door.
I even have a little rubber cover to protect the fitting from dirt and debris - highly reccomended if you have an exterior set up as the fitting can get seriously gunked up otherwise.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

Viair 88P, serves my needs well. Aired up from 15psi to 30 in a bit over 2 minutes each tire.

May start with a portable one and see if it satisfies your needs before jumping into onboard air (lots $$$).

 

[RubiBlueJLU]

I kind of hate to admit it, but I went the Walmart way.
Started out with a Hart Brand 20V pruner. 8" blade, no bar oil needed, 1.5AH battery. Sale buy for $45.
Got a pair of 4.0AH batteries for $80.
Got the portable air compressor, 2.0AH battery on sale for $40.
Pack it all into (2) $27 Hart stack system tool boxes (21" and 7").
Extras in the boxes, too.
Throw them in the back for trips/wheeling.

So, about $200 in for it all.

 

[MA Joop]

I have the ARB twin and Kraken system under my pax seat. Very happy with the setup. So far it has been faster than any of my buddies that do one at a time. Limited database.

If you are going to air down regularly, I recommend hardwire. Read through other comments. A few ‘pros’ that weren’t mentioned:

1. The Kraken allows all four tire pressures to equalize automatically due to the plumbing.

2. You can air up all four or just one at a time.

3. I can get out of the weather or enjoy a sandwich while I am airing up.

Same here. I've used mine a bunch in the couple months I've had it installed. I've timed it, it takes under 4 minutes and 30 seconds to air all 4 of my 315/70/17s (~35") from 15 psi to 36 psi. Not cheap but for anything more than occasional use, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. There are certainly other hardwired options that are more cost effective, pretty much any of them with a robust compressor will be more convenient than a portable setup if used regularly.

 

[Mrjimmystewart]

I reached out to kraken to ask about fitment for the 2024 models with the power seats. They said there is room and they will have a product to ship by the end of the year!

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