Two Air Compressors Stupid?

jesanch · Jun 24, 2024

Bigzaj said:
I've got full travel bags with the readylift compressor installed on my truck. I really want the ability to run a compressor to manage my tires and trailer tires. I'm considering adding an ARB Twin Compressor, but it seems stupid at first thought to run two compressors. What are people doing to run bags and tire inflate/deflate. I don't need to run tools so I was not planning on a tank.

Can I manifold / split the Readylift compressor to bags and airchuck?
Can I replace the Readylift with ARB twin compressor and do the same?
Easiest to just add an ARB in cab on in bed for filling tires?

I am in the same boat as you, and have been contemplating going with a dedicated compressor with inflate/deflate functionality, and a separate for air-up and air-down. Here is my thought process:

Plan A (original plan)
- Air IQ SD2 or HD2 https://logiqair.com/pages/airiq to control air bags remotely - $$. [Mount under the vehicle on the frame] for airbags
- ARB Twin Motor Onboard Compressor (100% duty cycle) $$, 4-tire hose kit

Plan B (MY MOST LIKELY SETUP)
- Air IQ SD2 or HD2 for airbags $$
- MORRFlate TenSix PSI Pro 12v Portable (80% duty cycle) $ , Air Hub electronic inflate/deflate $, 4-Tire Hose Kit

Plan C - What are you crazy? Option - One could use the Oasis for remote work as well
- Air IQ SD2 or HD2 for airbags
- Oasis XD3000 Extended Duty Air Compressor - (100% duty cycle, military grade, $$$$). The stats are impressive. Overkill for most of us, but still pretty awesome. Runs circles around everything else out there. Will need a separate tank If one were to go this route. https://aircompressors.oasismfg.com...xd3000-extended-duty-air-compressor/item-1051
- Mounting bracket https://aircompressors.oasismfg.com/item/all-categories/individual-components-and-accessories/xdmb
- Air tank (To prevent compressor cycling on and off, cool down air, manage pressure) - https://viaircorp.com/products/1-5-gallon-air-tank
-System accessories
- 2x2 or 4-tire hose kit

For the NAPA style compressors (MORRFlate, Thor's Lightning, etc.) I focus in on enhancements the vendor is adding to the generic inflator to improve efficiency, cooling, and longevity. This is why I am going with the MORRFlate over the others. The issue with duty cycle being lower is overheating / poor cooling ability.

- MORRFlate - duty cycle 80%
- Thor's Lightning - duty cycle 50%
- Ezflate M.O.A.B. - duty cycle 50%

The ARB is impressive with a duty cycle of 100%, although real world performance is not as good as the twin cylinder portable compressors. With most of the NAPA style compressors (inc those with 50% duty cycle) they will likely rarely stop and cool down when filling 4 tires, so they seem to be a solid option for most of us.

thatdood · Jun 24, 2024

I thought about adding a compressor with my power takeoff provision until I saw the cost

04sshd · Jun 24, 2024

I have the Viair Tankless Solution running dual Viair 444c compressors. Can't beat having air on the go!

Vecman · Jun 24, 2024

I have a hard mounted Viair compressor with a 2.5 gallon tank. It runs my air bags and has an air chuck access in the fuel door. I like this because it’s always with me and available for many different uses. It can be slow, but if I had to air up all four tires, I can do it. I can also air up my fishing pontoons, how off stuff, and use it as a normal air compressor would be used. I also have the Morrflate portable compressor. That thing airs up big tires fast. I love it, and I try to remember to take it with me when I’m off roading. But it’s a very specific built compressor - for airing 4 tires at a time. My onboard setup is more flexible for different uses. I thought about doing a second hard mounted compressor, but it was the same cost as the morrflate and I was still no where near the CFM output. I may still add a second one eventually, just to improve the onboard capability some, but I love having the two setups I currently have.

AZsurveyor · Jun 24, 2024

jesanch said:
I am in the same boat as you, and have been contemplating going with a dedicated compressor with inflate/deflate functionality, and a separate for air-up and air-down. Here is my thought process:

Plan A (original plan)
- Air IQ SD2 or HD2 https://logiqair.com/pages/airiq to control air bags remotely - $$. [Mount under the vehicle on the frame] for airbags
- ARB Twin Motor Onboard Compressor (100% duty cycle) $$, 4-tire hose kit

Plan B (MY MOST LIKELY SETUP)
- Air IQ SD2 or HD2 for airbags $$
- MORRFlate TenSix PSI Pro 12v Portable (80% duty cycle) $ , Air Hub electronic inflate/deflate $, 4-Tire Hose Kit

Plan C - What are you crazy? Option - One could use the Oasis for remote work as well
- Air IQ SD2 or HD2 for airbags
- Oasis XD3000 Extended Duty Air Compressor - (100% duty cycle, military grade, $$$$). The stats are impressive. Overkill for most of us, but still pretty awesome. Runs circles around everything else out there. Will need a separate tank If one were to go this route. https://aircompressors.oasismfg.com...xd3000-extended-duty-air-compressor/item-1051
- Mounting bracket https://aircompressors.oasismfg.com/item/all-categories/individual-components-and-accessories/xdmb
- Air tank (To prevent compressor cycling on and off, cool down air, manage pressure) - https://viaircorp.com/products/1-5-gallon-air-tank
-System accessories
- 2x2 or 4-tire hose kit

For the NAPA style compressors (MORRFlate, Thor's Lightning, etc.) I focus in on enhancements the vendor is adding to the generic inflator to improve efficiency, cooling, and longevity. This is why I am going with the MORRFlate over the others. The issue with duty cycle being lower is overheating / poor cooling ability.

- MORRFlate - duty cycle 80%
- Thor's Lightning - duty cycle 50%
- Ezflate M.O.A.B. - duty cycle 50%

The ARB is impressive with a duty cycle of 100%, although real world performance is not as good as the twin cylinder portable compressors. With most of the NAPA style compressors (inc those with 50% duty cycle) they will likely rarely stop and cool down when filling 4 tires, so they seem to be a solid option for most of us.

Excellent suggestions and pieces of info here, kudos.

I did not know the MORRFlate was rated at 80% - the portable air industry is only going to get better with time and for the price, you almost cannot beat it. I'm also willing to bet it's got ARB and Viair under the gun with a new line of competition in the air industry.

For those that have air bags, it would be worth the investment on a good set of hard mounted air units that can also provide good CFM to air up your rubber at the same time.

For $300, I cannot complain about the Thor's unit and at 50% duty cycle, you're well done before it needs to take a rest even for those with 37s.

I can go from 22# to 57# on 4 35" tires in 15 minutes in 110+ degrees!

If you're the ocassional user that needs air, I don't see why you would skip on that and it can also be hard mounted if that's what you're after.

With the availability of cordless tools out in today's market, why waste time with air tools?

To me, it's about time and after a long day's worth of work, the last thing I want to do is sit around for too long to air up. The Thor unit has proven itself exceptionally well in our extreme heat.

If I am in need more cargo bed space in the near future, I can always look into hard mounting it to have it out of the way. For now, it's got its sweet little spot in the corner, underneath the toolbox along with all of our other survey tools and gear.

Thor just released their digital hub as well which I will look into and could potentially be a benefit to hard mount the unit.