Air compressor decision

TechnicalDisaster

I’ve had three hoses go bad due to the heat. I ended up buying a 4 foot metal braided hose to attach to the ARB and then connect to my EZFlate system.

Yup, I lent my Morrflate air hose to a friend with the under-hood ARB and the same thing happened. But in general, all of the fittings will get hot regardless of the compressor. Morrflate even included a pair of gloves with my 4 tire hose. Personally, I bought Morrflate's twin pro which lets me set a pressure and then will run until that pressure is reached. Combined with the 4-tire hose it makes for a set it and forget it system for all 4 tires. As someone mentioned above the Morrflate is based on the Napa twin, however they have made some tweaks over the standard Napa compressor:

• Stainless Steel Outlet Hose (for better heat dissipation and heat sinking)
• Purge Valve (to release the internal pressures when done)
• Resized Aluminum heat sinks (upgraded from ABS so they actually fit the cylinders and works as a heat sink)
• Internal aluminum cylinders (upgraded from mild steel to dissipate heat better)
• New piston rings (better material for wear and heat resistance longevity).

Overall, I've been using mine for a couple of years no with no problems (*knock on wood*). I like that it's portable so I can use it on other vehicles if needed. Best of all, it's under $400, probably 1/2 the price of the ARB when you count in the under-hood mounting bracket.

JoergH

Yup, I lent my Morrflate air hose to a friend with the under-hood ARB and the same thing happened. But in general, all of the fittings will get hot regardless of the compressor. Morrflate even included a pair of gloves with my 4 tire hose. Personally, I bought Morrflate's twin pro which lets me set a pressure and then will run until that pressure is reached. Combined with the 4-tire hose it makes for a set it and forget it system for all 4 tires. As someone mentioned above the Morrflate is based on the Napa twin, however they have made some tweaks over the standard Napa compressor:

• Stainless Steel Outlet Hose (for better heat dissipation and heat sinking)
• Purge Valve (to release the internal pressures when done)
• Resized Aluminum heat sinks (upgraded from ABS so they actually fit the cylinders and works as a heat sink)
• Internal aluminum cylinders (upgraded from mild steel to dissipate heat better)
• New piston rings (better material for wear and heat resistance longevity).

Overall, I've been using mine for a couple of years no with no problems (*knock on wood*). I like that it's portable so I can use it on other vehicles if needed. Best of all, it's under $400, probably 1/2 the price of the ARB when you count in the under-hood mounting bracket.

I've always used a metal extension hose to run from the ARB to the coupling. I've never once melted a hose but I can see why some have if they mount the coupler in close proximity to the compressor..

Even if someone wants to keep the coupler under the hood, it's probably best get a metal extension hose and move it away from the compressor..

They sell them in varying lengths and you can even get a separate mounting bracket for the coupler itself. I think on the Bronco I ended up using a 3 meter metal extension hose as I routed the coupler to the passenger side crash bar area.



On my previous Jeep JK that I had, I ran the coupler to the front bumper.. I reroute them mainly because I am lazy and do not want to pop the hood and because of the amount of heat the compressors put off..

raqball

People have been running ARB compressors under the hood for decades. Rarely do I hear complaints at about overheating or exposure to the elements..

A single will overheat if not running it at a 50/50 cycle but a dual? nah..

All compressors get HOT, very hot so if heat is a concern just pop the hood when running it for some added air flow.

I was referring more about engine heat, particularly the V6, heating the compressor. Also, I've been known to go through a mud puddle, and it would definitely get wet. Combining that with the tight fit, installation effort and lack of portability, I felt the less-expensive option of a portable unit worked best for me. I didn't mean to imply that installing under-hood could not be done successfully, just that there are several valid reasons why someone might not want to.

timhood

I was referring more about engine heat, particularly the V6, hearing the compressor. Also, I've been known to go through a mud puddle, and it would definitely get wet. Combining that with the tight fit, installation effort and lack of portability, I felt the less-expensive option of a portable unit worked best for me. I didn't mean to imply that installing under-hood could not be done successfully, just that there are several valid reasons why someone might not want to.

There are valid reason for under the hood and there are valid reasons for a portable. There are valid reasons for a Co2 tank.. People should just get what works best for them and their situation..

I've never had a hose melt and I've never had an ARB dual overheat when installed under the hood.. Mine is under the hood but the connection point is exterior so I never even pop the hood.. Have others had issues? Sure..

My only suggestion would be to get a dual, either portable or under the hood. A single will need to be 50% duty cycled and that can become a serious PIA and if not cycled properly, can lead to serious overheating and damage to the compressor.