Inflation, Deflation, Viair 300p,400p vs ?, Staun, ARB vs ? Any info appreciated.

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Stokeme

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My tires are 275/65 r18, so 32”. I want a portable unit, I think the 300p should do it. The service dept. at Viair was encouraging the 400p with the auto compressor upgrade. That would be a nice addition but it runs more than the basic 400p & ~1/3 more than the 300p in price. Can anyone recommend another compressor brand? Thoughts on Viair? I’ve always carried one of their smaller units. It has worked well for topping off my tires.
I see pros & cons between Staun & ARB. Removing the valve stem over & over again makes me a little queasy. Anyone encountered subsequent valve stem issues with the ARB deflation method? How well does the jam nut with the Stauns stay in place? Can the set psi get altered without one realizing it? Thanks ahead for any info ...
 
I have a Viair, and I think it's a 400-series. It's a good compressor. It isnt the end all be all, but for a portable compressor it is very good.
 
My tires are 275/70R18, RAM recommends 60 psi front and 80 rear. I run about 10% below this for comfort. We do a lot of beach and other deep sand travel where I air down to 30 psi. For my application I got a compressor with a 100% duty cycle, the ARB Twin. It takes about 20 minuets to get all four tires back up to pavement pressure from 30 psi. Vair has a duty cycle chart on their web site, https://www.viaircorp.com/tech which indicates that the 300 with a 33% duty cycle will run 20 minuets on 40 off. So, i think it depends on your use what level of duty cycle will make you happy. Both the 300 and 400 are 33%, the 450 is 100%. All of them will put air in your tires, it’t just a matter of how quickly. Hope you find this helpful.

Dean
 
For deflation I purchased the ARB and then returned it because the gauge did not go up to 80psi. I replaced it with a similar model with a gauge that better suited my requirments. These didn't seem to dump air much faster than using a pointy piece of stone or a dowel. Now I have the Indeflate, https://adventure-imports.com/product/indeflate/ for airing down and up, does 2 tires at once and keeps the psi balanced. So far I'm happy with it. I don't feel the Staun is very suitable for higher psi tires, the deflate range is 18 to 30psi, 30 is the lowest I ever go.

Dean
 
veryactivelife said:
My tires are 275/70R18, RAM recommends 60 psi front and 80 rear. I run about 10% below this for comfort. We do a lot of beach and other deep sand travel where I air down to 30 psi. For my application I got a compressor with a 100% duty cycle, the ARB Twin. It takes about 20 minuets to get all four tires back up to pavement pressure from 30 psi. Vair has a duty cycle chart on their web site, https://www.viaircorp.com/tech which indicates that the 300 with a 33% duty cycle will run 20 minuets on 40 off. So, i think it depends on your use what level of duty cycle will make you happy. Both the 300 and 400 are 33%, the 450 is 100%. All of them will put air in your tires, it’t just a matter of how quickly. Hope you find this helpful.

Dean
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I'm looking at these as well, and notice a considerable difference in CFM between the Viair 440 and 450. The 450 is 100%, the 440 is not, but pushes a LOT more air and will be done before you need to let it rest. I'm inclined to get the 440.
 
I've been using ARB's deflator on several vehicles for ten years, with zero problems with valve cores. It's not a worry. You should have a good tire plug kit with you anyway, and the good ones will have spare cores just in case.

I'm a big fan of 100-percent duty cycle compressors. It just takes all the worry and wonder out of inflation. The Viair 400 is a fine unit, but a 33% duty cycle is pretty modest. In contrast to Vic I'd take the slightly slower 450P and its 100% duty cycle.

The ARB Twin is a brilliant compressor if you can afford it; I've never known an owner of one who was sorry he spent the money. A 100% duty cycle and astonishingly rapid filling. The portable kit is a beast, but extremely well-thought-out, and capable of running air tools if needed. Also, with the built-in tank, while you are moving around between tires the tank is still filling, which makes inflation even quicker.
 
I am always surprised these threads never include discussion about Extreme Outback compressors. I have had one for ten years with many, many air down and up cycles and it never fails. Sure, they may be expensive compared to other brands but on at least 6 occasions, I have used mine to bail out people with the Viar and twice with ARB’s. They are US made and their customer service is outstanding.
 
Hi Stokeme
Here’s my 2 cents worth. Any 100% duty cycle compressor, it’s just gunna have a better motor. I like the Staun as I can do all four at once, and usually when I get back to the last tire, I have been to the others and set and checked for correct psi. Using a small pair of pliers to lock the jam nut no problem. 275/70R18
75-80 psi road
45 psi set on Stauns- then I can lower from there to what I want

Hope this helps a little.
Russ
 
kmacafee said:
I am always surprised these threads never include discussion about Extreme Outback compressors. I have had one for ten years with many, many air down and up cycles and it never fails. Sure, they may be expensive compared to other brands but on at least 6 occasions, I have used mine to bail out people with the Viar and twice with ARB’s. They are US made and their customer service is outstanding.
Click to expand...
I have an Extreme Outback ExtremeAir and it is excellent. I love all their products, especially their Ultimate Puncture Repair Kit, the best tire plug and repair kit on the market. However, I believe their compressor motors are manufactured offshore and the unit then assembled in the U.S.
 
Many of my wheeling buddies have the ARB twin and have zero issues. Just fast filling of tires. My Smittybuilt isn't as quick but gets the job done with the 3 gallon tank I added for extra capacity.

As far as the deflators go, I've used the knock off Staun style auto deflators. I have had issues with the lock ring staying set to my correct pressure. Some don't go as fast as the others too. They work, but are inconsistent. But it could be because they are knock off amazon units too. Now I just picked up a ARB style Deflator tool that removes the valve core and captures it. I've only used it on one trip so far, but I was amazed at the speed over the auto deflators. I could air down to my exact target pressure in about 1 minute per tire. It flows air out so much faster without the core in the valve stem. But on the first tire I did it didn't seem much faster than the auto deflator. I figured out I had not pullled the core all the way out of the stem, it was letting air out just not as fast. I attempted to unscrew the core again and slid the collar up and it was gushing air out at a much faster rate. It takes a little feel to do it right, but when you do you'll know. By the second tire I didn't make the same mistake. Killer little tool for sure.
 
I have both the Staun and ARB deflators. Two sets of the Stauns set at different pressures for the truck and Jeep. They are more convenient than the ARB so they get used more often. I check the pressure occasionally to make sure they haven't changed and they seem to hold their accuracy.

I use the ARB when I need something greater than sand pressure in the truck. The problem I see with this deflator is that if you don't follow the procedure you can over pressure the gauge with 80psi. I haven't had any problems with the valve core.

I have a friend with the ARB suitcase compressor and I have fixed it twice for him. It has a design/material problem and has clogged both times. I wouldn't recommend it.
 
Topical for me. For many years i have used the tip of an old school Milton tire gauge to deflate my tires and then checked with a digital gauge. I never felt the need for a $60 tire deflator, but recently I apparently had some money to burn so I bought an ARB deflator. Initial tests in the driveway seemed really clunky and time consuming, but after a handful of practice runs I seem to have it sorted out, and it does deflate quickly and accurately. I also had concerns about repeatedly removing the valve core and am happy to read about successful long term usage with no issues. I've yet to try it in the field so will hold on my final opinion.
 
camelracer said:
I have both the Staun and ARB deflators. Two sets of the Stauns set at different pressures for the truck and Jeep. They are more convenient than the ARB so they get used more often. I check the pressure occasionally to make sure they haven't changed and they seem to hold their accuracy.

I use the ARB when I need something greater than sand pressure in the truck. The problem I see with this deflator is that if you don't follow the procedure you can over pressure the gauge with 80psi. I haven't had any problems with the valve core.

I have a friend with the ARB suitcase compressor and I have fixed it twice for him. It has a design/material problem and has clogged both times. I wouldn't recommend it.
Click to expand...
Could you elaborate on the problem with the compressor?
 
x2 on the Vlair- 400 series with 100% duty cycle. I have the one with the longer hose. No need to reposition the compressor to reach the rear tires on my F350 with an eight foot bed. I have the ARB deflator. I found it difficult to use ... could be user error. Instead, I use just the handle and gauge from my Vlair compressor. Just clip it on the valve stem, squeeze the handle to release air and read the gauge. Easy.
 
The problem I found with the ARB suitcase compressor was the tube between the tank and outlet would clog with aluminum oxide. The tank is aluminum and any moisture that accumulates in it during decompression drains into a rather small stainless outlet tube. The aluminum oxide in this moisture then hardens like a rock.
 
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