Dual-purpose portable air source group
The dual-purpose portable air source group's primary function is tire inflation, with the added feature of their ability to operate air tools. Therefore, they were tested to determine how well they performed both functions. The only unit in this group that did not have an attached or auxiliary reservoir to store compressed air was the ExtremeAire Magnum Portable Air Compressor. We did attach a 5-gallon tank to the Magnum portable unit and, as expected, it dramatically improved the testing times-but staying within the bounds of fair testing, we did not include the improved times for this comparison.
| portable Vehicle Air Systems Dual Purpose group
How we tested:
The single-tire, four-tire, and RV tire tests were conducted exactly as the single-purpose unit tests were. The lug nut test utilized a salvaged front axle hub from a Chevy 2500HD truck. The lug nuts were tightened with the same torque wrench to 100 ft-lb. Using a Craftsman 1/2-inch drive impact wrench each unit was tasked to remove the eight lug nuts. For this test, only the time to remove the lug nuts was recorded.
The lag screw test was structured to be more of a continuous duty test, whereas the lug nut test was a burst of pressure to break the nuts loose. The test was to drive three 3-inch lag bolts into a scrap piece of 4x4 lumber. A 3/16-inch x 1/2-inch hole was drilled into the post and the lag screws were started by hand before the test to ensure each one was at the same depth. Once again, only the time to complete was recorded. Each test was conducted five times to obtain an average time for comparison.
Manufacturer: Extreme Outback Products
Website: www.extremeoutback.com
Model: ExtremeAire Magnum Portable PN 007-223
Price: $689.95
Maximum Pressure Rating: 150 psi
Airflow Rating: Continuous duty at 150 psi, 6 cfm at 0 psi, 2.6 cfm at 100 psi
Power: 14.50-volt and 70-amp
Power cord: 10-foot 4-gauge cord with 6-inch jumper cable clamps
Duty cycle: 100 percent
Safety: 150-psi safety relief valve
Weight: 39 pounds
Warranty: 1 year
Portability: Housed in a sturdy, metal toolbox
Included Accessories: 30-foot polyurethane coil hose with 3-foot leader hose for heat protection; heavy-duty electrical quick-disconnects; all air fittings, quick-disconnects, and air chucks are solid brass; box size: 20-inch long x 8-inch deep x 9-inch tall; kit includes an LED flashlight, stainless steel pencil pressure gauge, four-way valve tool, one snap-in rubber valve stem, four metal valve caps with screwdriver top, and six valve cores
Features: 1.5hp motor
Impressions: Thoughtfully packaged kit includes everything for tire inflation and valve stem repair. The high 150-psi output definitely holds its own against the other units. Adding an auxiliary air tank makes this an extremely capable air compressor for field repairs and quick inflation chores.
| portable Vehicle Air Systems Dual Purpose extreme Outback
Manufacturer: Power Tank
Website: www.powertank.com
Model: Package B PT-20-5450 20-pound Yellow Tank
Price: $619.95
Maximum Pressure Rating: 330 psi or max regulator and/or hose pressure rating
Airflow Rating: 200 psi at 40 cfm
Cost to fill 20 pounds, including tax: $28.02
Duty cycle: Until completely expelled
Safety: 3,000-psi safety rating
Weight: 30 pounds empty, 50 pounds full
Warranty: Hose: 2-year, Tank and Guard: Lifetime, SuperFlow Regulators: Limited Lifetime
Portability: Take it anywhere
Included Accessories: Regulator bag and cover, SuperFlow regulator, 20-pound Yellow Tank, Super Bracket Regulator ring, Tank boot, TIG-60 upgraded to TIG-8300 (digital 0 to 255-psi gauge with 24-inch whip and clip-on tire chuck), Tomco Super Coupler, Lockable Super Bracket with aluminum frame and stainless steel strap
Impressions: The Power Tank system performed incredibly well throughout our testing procedures, established impressive fill times, and was incredibly easy to use. An often overlooked feature of the Power Tank regulator is that reducing the regulator's pressure also bleeds pressure from the hose. The digital tire pressure gauge is easy to read in psi, Bar, kg/cm2, or kpa (day or night, thanks to its illumination feature). The Super coupler is designed to accommodate most popular quick-connect fittings. The company also offers manifold kits and a large assortment of fittings to adapt the Power Tank system to activate Air Lockers or almost any other application's needs.
| portable Vehicle Air Systems Dual Purpose power Tank
Manufacturer: The Source
(subsidiary of Cramer-Decker Industries)
Website: www.offroadair.net
Model: The Source S-Kit10B
Price: $339.56 (extra tank not included in price)
Maximum Pressure Rating: 300 psi or max regulator and/or hose pressure rating
Airflow Rating: 0 to 200 psi at 33 cfm
Cost to fill 20 pounds, including tax: $31.52
Duty cycle: Until completely expelled
Safety: 3,000-psi safety rating
Weight: 20 pounds empty, 30 pounds full
Warranty: 2 year full replacement
Portability: Take it anywhere
Included Accessories: HyperFlo MAX aluminum regulator adjustable from 0 to 200 psi at 33 cfm with stainless steel liquid-filled gauge; 20-foot comp-flex coil hose with quick-connects; tire ball chuck; rock guard support handle; and sturdy vehicle mounting bracket
Impressions: The Source put up some very respectable numbers in our tests and proved to be as easy to use as it is fast. Its HyperFlo MAX regulator features a stainless steel, liquid-filled gauge for quick pressure readings and accurate inflation. At 30 pounds when full, the tank is still light enough for pulling in and out of the vehicle for repeated use. The steel handle and regulator protector seem to do an adequate job of protecting the regulator and valve from damage. The mounting bracket offers a heavy-duty design to keep the tank securely fastened inside your rig and ready to use with the flip of the quick-release steel buckle.
| portable Vehicle Air Systems Dual Purpose the Source
Manufacturer: Viair
Website: www.viaircorp.com
Model: 10008 Super Duty Onboard Air System
Price: $489.99
Airflow Rating: 3.21 cfm at 0 psi and 1.45 cfm at 150 psi
Battery Requirements: 13.8-volt
Power: 14.50-volt and 31.7-amp
Power cord: Kit provides 20 feet of 14-gauge wire and a 60A inline tube-style fuse holder with fuse
Duty cycle: 33 percent
Safety: Automatic thermal shutoff protection, 105-psi On and 150-psi cutoff pressure switch, and 175-psi safety valve
Weight: 32 pounds
Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
Portability: Designed to be permanently mounted to vehicle
Included Accessories: 30-foot coil hose with I/M quick-connects, accessory bag, tire inflation gun with 200-psi gauge, and blowgun tool
Features: Two 325C Viair compressors, all necessary air hose tubing, brass fittings, wire, 40A relays, pressure switch (110 psi on, 150 psi off), dash panel gauge with on/off switch, and regulator
Impressions: This is a well-designed kit with adequate instructions. Even though it is not intended for running air tools, with moderation, it may run some of them for short bursts. This kit was primarily developed for tire inflation and air-actuated lockers.
| portable Vehicle Air Systems Dual Purpose viair
Although it is intended to be mounted to a vehicle, we installed the Viair Super Duty on an aluminum plate to illustrate the completeness of the package-from the two 325C air compressors to the pressure regulator, it's all there.
| portable Vehicle Air Systems Dual Purpose viair Mounted
Manufacturer: Warn
Website: www.warn.com
Model: VTC Air Compressor
Price: $724.98
Maximum Pressure Rating: 125 psi
Airflow Rating: 20 cfm at 0 psi, 8 cfm at 90 psi
Battery Requirements: 12-volt 665 CCA
Power: 14.50-volt and 102.2-amp
Power cord: 9-foot 6-inch 4-gauge cord and a 200A fuse
Duty cycle: Not specified
Safety: Automatic thermal shutoff protection, 70-psi On and 100-psi cutoff pressure switch, and 125-psi safety relief valve
Weight: 72 pounds
Warranty: 1 year
Portability: Handles and rail system for portability and protection
Included Accessories: N/A
Features: 1-gallon supply tank, handles and rail system for portability and protection (or it may be mounted directly to the vehicle)
Impressions: We needed accessory kit #73945 ($133.45), as it includes a heavy-duty tire inflator, a set of four tire deflators, 25 feet of coiled nylon air hose (with quick-disconnect couplings), and a Warn storage bag. We also liked the battery clamp kit #79580 ($29.99), as it contains two heavy-duty clamps and necessary hardware to connect to the existing compressor cables.
| portable Vehicle Air Systems Dual Purpose photo
Warn's Accessory kit 73945 ($133.45) was used with the company's VTC compressor. The bag is large enough to hold the contents of the kit and other tools, such as a tire repair kit.
| portable Vehicle Air Systems Dual Purpose warn
Automatic Tire Deflators: An exhausting tool
Usually, to deflate a tire, it is necessary to press the tip of the valve cap, or other similar object, against the valve pin until the desired amount of air has been expelled. The two automatic deflators utilized in our tests make this task significantly easier. Considering we inflated and deflated more than 360 times, we needed a fast, accurate, repeatable way to accomplish this task. Both screw onto the valve stem. A small pin in the center of the deflator exerts pressure on the valve pin, compressing the spring, which exhausts the air in the tire down to a preset pressure. Both operate on the premise of adjusting an internal spring to stop the release of air at a desired pressure level. These tools make lowering the tire pressure for better traction a nearly effortless task. Reducing the pressure in the tires will offer a larger contact patch of the tire to the ground, a slightly lower gearing from a decreased rolling radius, and lower obstacle-rolling resistance. The obstacle-rolling resistance is the tire's ability to mould over (ie: absorb) rather than have to climb up and over a minor impediment.
TIP: Considering most deflators come in a set of four, mark and set two of them to two different pressures for different applications, or for front and rear tire pressure levels.
| This picture illustrates how effective lowering pressure in a tire is. Dropping from a street pressure of 45 psi to 8 psi will nearly double the contact patch of a tire. The extremely tough and stiff sidewall of the General Grabbers prevented an increase of the width of the tire. Each tire's composition is different and results will vary from tire to tire.
The Staun deflator kit has four solid-brass deflators, instructions, a leather storage pouch, and offers a 5-year warranty. Each valve is highly accurate, easy to use, and requires no tools to make pressure adjustments. They also offer the ability to manually start the deflation process, which may be required if the tire's pressure is near the preset level, whereas other products would require inflating the tire to start the deflation process.
| portable Vehicle Air Systems Dual Purpose deflators
The Trailhead Automatic Tire Deflators kit includes: four anodized-aluminum deflators, a tire pressure gauge, tire pressure chart, adjustment tool, plastic-coated instructions, and a protective pouch to store all the items. They are 100 percent made in the United States and carry a lifetime warranty. They will function properly whether your vehicle is stationary or traveling at speeds of 20 mph or less. Because they are adjusted with a hex wrench, the pressure setting cannot be accidentally changed during the installation or removal process.
| portable Vehicle Air Systems Dual Purpose trailhead Deflators
