Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

I saw at bushwackers they sell a 300L/min air compressor enclosed in a metal box, that is dust and waterproof. I would estimate roughly the size of a 50ah battery. You cannot remove it from the box, but the lid needs to be open for you to use it.

I often inflate and deflate tyres, my current 160L/min unit does a fair job with my 31" tyres of the Ford, but I might turn sand to glass by the time I inflated the 33" on the Patrol.

There is another thread in here regarding putting a battery in the winch cradle of the replacement bumper. I am contemplating putting this compressor in that area. Does anybody have reservations regarding this thought?

I unfortunately cannot find a picture of the unit (bushwackers doesn't have a great website). It looks similar to the air bullet from rough country though - but thumps a bit harder

I have a 160 l/min compressor, and 33's. If I do a Mozambique run in Ponta do Ouro, I may go down to 1.2 bar all round so I can play a bit in the sand. When I leave Moz at the border post, I pump up relatively quick with the 160. Haven't timed it to be honest, but I would guess about 15 mins to do all 4

If that box truly is waterproof, I can't really see any problems?

I also use a 160, and it's OK, so 300 should be really fast!

Thanks Ricster, yes I agree, it is ok for the job. Although in the dunes I sometimes go to 0.8. The hotter the compressor gets the less efficient it seems to get. I am also sure, like most things the heat will wear the components quicker. I've been stuck driving very slow speeds before due to a non-functioning compressor, and the road gets very long and tempers flare.

Thus, I'm sure my 160L won't last as long in the patrol as the ford, with weekly use. I also chuck the compressor in the back of the ford when not in use, but the wagon space is more at a premium. So I've been looking at where to mount one and it seems every place has its drawbacks. So with that in mind when I saw this thumper in a sealed box, and I know I have this empty space, it just makes sense to a layman.

Or I might just be missing the plot completely

Yes Peter, I will try and find more info thereon...
I would just need to lasercut a hole on the top of the bumper to open the box before use...

No idea of price or quality here, but perhaps you would be better served looking for a compressor that is built to take the heat rather than one with a higher capacity but similar short duty cycle?

Peter Connan wrote: ↑01 Apr 2019 20:06 No idea of price or quality here, but perhaps you would be better served looking for a compressor that is built to take the heat rather than one with a higher capacity but similar short duty cycle?

I'm 100% with you Peter, unfortunately this information is oftentimes not freely available. Especially duty cycle and things like flow rate drop. Maybe it would be interesting to let everybody give their information displayed on their compressor:
Flow rate
Flow rate drop?
Amps
Duty cycle
Or maybe even a inflation test from 1 bar to 2 bar on 4 tyres?

This way a person can make an informed decision. The 300L/min unit draws a max amperage of 90 - which is a shocker

That is serious current draw.

My 160l draws about 40-45A.

Any compressor designed to mount in the engine bay should be able to jandle the heat.

I run a viair 550c

Its a beast, but must be mounted inside as it is not water or dust proof.

Some pics from google...

Thanks HugeJP,

It seems your compressor is about a 85L/min one. Obviously if it thumps well then it has only little flow drop (when pressure increases). The Duty cycle is nicely marked. I'm obviously a layman, but a 100% duty cycle at 6.2bar is pretty good - no start/stop neccessary.

My 160L/min and my back-up 85L/min has no such info on them. Only voltage, amperage and flow rate (probably at 0psi - but doesn't specify).

I'm also pretty sure my 160L could be on it's way out - as it does start the re-inflation process with a lot of vigor, but feels a bit asthmatic as the tyre reaches optimum pressures.

I'm still keep on using the winch cradle opening, but the more I think about it 90amps doesn't sit comfortably with me. Maybe I should see if I can make a 160 fit in a battery box (or will that melt/be impossible to dustproof)

It's just a bit frustrating that one pays a lot of money for these type of things and they are (mostly) rebranded China (no offense to the Chinese) ripp offs. Are there any local companies (RSA) that do compact compressors. Local is tog lekker(der).