Running dual compressors at the same time for airing up

Hi all.

My last post has come to the conclusion that Im fitting a front ARB locker. Still pondering on the rear or Quaife ATB or Dual ARB locker but leaning towards Quaife on the rear. Its a big spend for someone with my finances so more research being done. But thanks to all for your guidance.

Now given my requirements are use on Sand then 0ff Sand, Im going to be airing up and down quite a lot. probably 18-26 PSI down to 10, then back up again on probably quite frequent regularity. Im only on 215/75/15 Tyres when touring so not too large.

I have a quite high capacity portable Viaire compressor currently. With the installation of the ARB lockers I'm planning on going for the single high capacity compressor. (No need for the twin with its extra weight but don't want the smaller one as I want the ability to inflate tyres from it at least as a back up) Is this a sensible conclusion ?

Due to regular airing up and down, it raises the question. Can I operate both compressors at the same time with the engine running (give the wife the job to do one side while I do the other). To speed up the process or is that too much for the small Jimny battery ? There doesnt look a great deal of room for a higher capacity battery.

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I'm not mechanically minded and having to learn from a low starting base.

Thanks


 

You can get a second battery tray that puts it on the other side of engine which is one thing, or look at say an optima that can be mounted on its edge. I'd probably also look into the 100 amp alternator off the sx4.

With the engine running you should be fine, as long as the total current draw is less than what the alternator can put out. You may shorten the battery life a bit though, a standard car battery doesn't really like high current discharge for extended periods. 

Which is the bit I hate. It's such a faff to have to air up tyres with a portable 12v compressor. I usually haven't got the patience to air back up with a 12v compressor after driving back from the beach so I just drive carefully to the nearest service station (usually about 15 - 20mins drive) and use their big compressor.

Although, if you plumb in both compressors and run an airline to each corner of the vehicle with QC couplings, that takes out 90% of the hassle by avoiding having to store long air hoses and/or packing and unpacking a portable compressor and lugging that round the vehicle each time.

Also, Jimmy's go quite well in sand without having to air down much. (At least in my experience) The beaches in my area can vary quite a bit so I can often just drive on with normal road pressure, and lower if I start digging in too much. 

How often will you actually be airing up and down? 
It gets old real quick. 

thanks for taking the trouble to reply. Most appreciated.
The fill capacity of my portable is quite high. As is the ARB compressor im looking at for the Air locker. Whilst a faff , its 50 percent less faff if the wife is doing one side. Ill try work out the current draw of the combined unit & work out the alternator. As for how often. Its for 3 month morocco trips. Not done one yet and so dont know is the answer. want the back up of 2 x compressor but better if can operate together to save time each time if terrain is variable and we are up and down with regularity. I suspect deep dry sand of morocco will be harder on the jimny than wet british beaches but that could be an entirely ignorant comment on my part.

Thanks Lambert. I looked at the dual battery set up previously and decided I couldnt justify it. I recall there was an issue of the aircon line needing relocating to fit the battery tray on the other side. The gain not being worth the pain & cost for my needs

I have a milwaukee m12 inflator because I'm old and my knees are blind and my eyes are sore etc etc see life of brian for more, and it will have one tyre up from 10 to 26 in less than 30 seconds and it threads on the valve so you don't have to hold it in place.