ARB CKMA12 Air pump

Jorge Bolivar

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I got tired of move around the garage the onboard air system parts that should go on the Sport 98 and decide to put it on the Unlimited, originally Sport 98 was going to have the A/C compressor converted to an air compressor, now I will get an electric pump as the Unlimited A/C still on good shape.
I do have an 2.5 gallons tank mounted on the bottom rear of the jeep and was thinking on get the ARB CKMA12 air pump to complete the system. The same is 50% Duty cycle and 2.18/2.65 CFM, I'm under the impression that this will work fine with the tank as the primary use will be air up my 33" tires. ARB lockers on mind as well, that's why I'm going to this pain :confused:.
I do have very little experience with this type of air pumps and onboard system. Like to heard if any one have a look like set up and/or use this pump as well.
Edit:
It's other brands like VIAIR and PUMA that may be better for this application that I'm open to heard about as well.
Seeking your appreciated advice.
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Viair has a whole line of quality 12 volt compressors. The one mentioned is a good one. Just don't wire one into the cigarette lighter plug.
 
Unless you already have the ARB compressor I would get this Viair 450C 100% duty compressor instead:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FQ78VI/?tag=wranglerorg-20

It is cheaper, has 100% duty cycle, and I can personally vouch for how well it works; I've had mine for over 5 years, still works great!

Thanks for the advice and product review.
Went to pick the ARB pump when 4wp counter sales guy advice the deal was over with ARB and is now with VIAIR 450C, $198.00 plus tax. As he has to ordered(like 99.9% of the stuff they sold for TJ) I decide to hold and look on other vendors and check on Amazon that may have free shipping.
I'm planning to place the order tonight with other few VIAIR stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FQ78VI/?tag=wranglerorg-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PBA3WGI/?tag=wranglerorg-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AX29Q64/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I may order the bracket too. Like to have it install inside the motor compartment but will need a very long lead hose.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Q3MUHA/?tag=wranglerorg-20

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Viair has a whole line of quality 12 volt compressors. The one mentioned is a good one. Just don't wire one into the cigarette lighter plug.
@StG58
Thanks for the advice. Will definitely go with VIAIR, @Robin Down and another fella form our Jeep club points the 100% duty as the best way to go and best fit for my project.
No, cigarette lighter plugged, promised.
I made a box with 6 40 amp relays and 6 extra fuses for my previous TJ that has never been installed, so this will be a good excuse to find a spot for it and use the first spare circuit.

Oh my... How a simple idea just turn in a great and expensive project...
 
That lightweight Viair is not near the compressor the ARB is. A compressor's CFM rating into a given pressure of resistance is key to how long you'll have to wait to fill your tires and the ARB will cut that wait by nearly half.

The ARB's is 2.34 CFM into 30 psi and the Viair's is only 1.52 CFM into 30 psi. CFM is king when it comes to filling up big Jeep size tires.
 
That lightweight Viair is not near the compressor the ARB is. A compressor's CFM rating into a given pressure of resistance is key to how long you'll have to wait to fill your tires and the ARB will cut that wait by nearly half.

The ARB's is 2.34 CFM into 30 psi and the Viair's is only 1.52 CFM into 30 psi. CFM is king when it comes to filling up big Jeep size tires.
Totally agree with you Jerry. CFM is the key.
The part I'm looking more is the duty 50% vs 100%. No want the pump to die on the middle of the re filling process. Understand the pump will work around half of the time due is pushing larger CFM but the info I found on the ARB pump seem to be more specific on be use just with the lockers application where the pump run for few seconds.
I know you mention that you use a CO2 tank, but did you know someone that use the ARB pump with the air tank?
 
Trust me, that 50% duty cycle is not going to cause you any problems filling tires on the ARB, ARB is very conservative, more conservative on their ratings than Viar and Smittybilt are. And that particular ARB compressor is meant for general duties which includes tire filling as well as compressor duties. ARB does make smaller compressors made pretty much just for locker-duty which is not suitable for tire filling duties. This particular ARB compressor is not meant for just locker duty. Not to mention the ARB will be running only nearly half as long to refill your tires than the Viair would.

This particular ARB is twice the compressor that Viair is in all meaningful ways. And its 50% duty cycle only means it can't be run more than 30 minutes in an hour. You'll be done filling all four of your tires in 10-15 minutes max.

I only use a CO2 tank now because my previous TJ with the belt-driven York F210 compressor I installed into it was stolen. I'd actually rather have that belt-driven compressor back. Its CFM rating was somewhere between 7 and 8 CFM.
 
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Trust me, that 50% duty cycle is not going to cause you any problems filling tires on the ARB, ARB is very conservative, more conservative on their ratings than Viar and Smittybilt are. And that particular ARB compressor is meant for general duties which includes tire filling as well as compressor duties. ARB does make smaller compressors made pretty much just for locker-duty which is not suitable for tire filling duties. This particular ARB compressor is not meant for just locker duty. Not to mention the ARB will be running only nearly half as long to refill your tires than the Viair would.

This particular ARB is twice the compressor that Viair is in all meaningful ways.

I only use a CO2 tank now because my previous TJ with the belt-driven York F210 compressor I installed into it was stolen. I'd actually rather have that belt-driven compressor back. Its CFM rating was somewhere between 7 and 8 CFM.
Good info,Good info.
Fully understand all you said. I saw the ARB pump last saturday and looks very solid, bigger than the VIAIR. Price held me, not going to lie on that, but knowing this about the duty I may have to change my plans again. Good thing I did not order the Viair yet.

Like to have a York installed too but is way much of a project for the time i do have at this time.
Thanks Again!
 
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I use the ARB. I was pairing it to my ARB locker so I wanted things to just work. I mounted mine to the unused ABS tray. I'm happy with it there. I rerouted the air filter for it into the cab.
As you stated, it's not 100% duty cycle. I was able to air up all four tires from 15lbs to 30 without issue. It seems to pump out about 5lbs per minute. That's acceptable to me. It will overheat if you keep at it. But, it took me about 1 1/2 hrs to do so with the on and off use as I was trying to set my deflators.


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Keep in mind Jorge his 90 minutes was caused by messing around with trying to set his tire deflators, not simply airing up his tires.

Speaking of automatic tire deflators, they sound great in theory but not so much in practice. I had a set and all they did was frustrate me, they would never consistently air my tires down to the same air pressure. That was even after I took them with me to a 4x4 show where the vendor had a booth pushing them. He used his setup to set mine, as I had done several times before, and they were no more consistent after that than before. I gave up on automatic tire deflators years ago and just went with Currie's tire deflator which is fast and easy to use.
 
I agree with Jerry about the auto deflators. I had them, and one or two would always end up off, and ended up being a pain. I'm using an ARB E-Z Deflator, and it's very fast, and also seems to be quite accurate. I believe the Currie one is very similar to the ARB.

Like mentioned, don't worry about the 50% duty cycle.
 
I'm using an ARB E-Z Deflator, and it's very fast, and also seems to be quite accurate. I believe the Currie one is very similar to the ARB.
They're exactly the same deflator, just different logos on their gauge faces.

I tried multiple tire deflators over my first 5 years of wheeling, even making an "octopus" deflator that deflated all four tires at once. None worked well until I gave up and bought the Currie. I've been using it for 15 years now, I'll never use any other deflator. Not to mention it is FAST since it removes the valve stem in the process, keeping it safely inside its brass mechanism during the process so it can't blow out and disappear into the bushes.

CurrieDeflator.webp
 
Keep in mind Jorge his 90 minutes was caused by messing around with trying to set his tire deflators, not simply airing up his tires.

Speaking of automatic tire deflators, they sound great in theory but not so much in practice. I had a set and all they did was frustrate me, they would never consistently air my tires down to the same air pressure. That was even after I took them with me to a 4x4 show where the vendor had a booth pushing them. He used his setup to set mine, as I had done several times before, and they were no more consistent after that than before. I gave up on automatic tire deflators years ago and just went with Currie's tire deflator which is fast and easy to use.
No worry Jerry I will not put much attention on the 90 minutes part, with the set up I have on mind the pump will be running on interval a total of 12-14 minutes during the air up task. other use will be limited.

Auto deflators... Just going to said that I give away mines about three or four times and since no one can't properly set it they return back, finally get rid of the after swapped for a hitch brake light for my XJ.

Looking to get the Currie or ARB deflator one of this days. As you many others on my club recommended.
 
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