ARB Brushed Air
Compressors

Brushless Air Compressor FAQs

• Brushed compressor v Brushless compressor

  Brushed motors use brushes and a commutator to transfer electrical current to the rotor, making them simpler and less expensive but requiring more maintenance due to wearing components. In contrast, brushless motors eliminate brushes and use electronic controllers to manage current flow, resulting in higher efficiency, and lower maintenance requirements.   

• What are the advantages of onboard air?

  The greatest advantage of an onboard air compressor is the enhanced accessibility, an onboard air compressor doesn’t need to be packed, unpacked or plugged in. They are often discreetly mounted and don’t take up precious cargo space. Unlike portable compressors, onboard compressors are always with you on any adventure, so there’s no risk of forgetting your compressor or being caught out.  

  Additionally, an onboard air compressor can assist with the convenient use of other accessories, as it can be plumbed directly into Air Lockers and air suspension.  

• Twin vs Single air compressor?

  A single compressor is constructed of one compressor providing an air supply, which can be simpler and less costly, ideal for fitment in vehicle’s that do not have much space. In contrast, a twin compressor system employs two compressors, working in tandem, to provide a greater volume of air and efficiency. This setup is ideal for those that have big tyres, a trailer and other high volume air needs.    

• Where is the best place to mount a compressor?

  ARB compressors are IP sealed, protecting them against both water and dust ingress. The result is a product which can be mounted almost anywhere, depending on space allocation and vehicle setup. ARB offer a range of universal and vehicle specific compressor mounting solutions. Please contact your nearest ARB dealer or stockist to find the compressor bracket for your setup. 

• Mounted compressor v portable compressor

  An onboard mounted air compressor is ideal for those that need regular air day-to-day. Whereas a portable compressor is more suited to those that only require compressed air occasionally or need air on multiple vehicles.  

• What fittings do I need to mount the brushless compressor? 

  ARB offer a variety of fittings and air lines to suit nearly every setup, the possibilities are endless. Please contact your nearest ARB dealer or stockist for the best solution for your vehicle.  

• Is there any way to monitor my brushless compressor? 

  Yes. The brushless compressor has been designed with status reporting, which the user receives via a series of flashes on the control switch, or via audible beeps. 

• Is the brushless compressor compatible with my air suspension? 

  Yes. Using ARB LINX or ARB’s Bluetooth air suspension control module, you can control and monitor your vehicle’s air bag suspension. 

• Does the brushless compressor support an Air Locker? 

  Yes, ARB’s range of onboard air compressors feature plug and play wiring to directly connect to and control ARB Air Locker solenoids and dashboard switches.  Twin air compressors will require a manifold for attaching solenoids. 

• Why are the portable brushless compressor clamps blue? 

  Brushless compressor clamps are coloured blue as the orientation in which you place them on the battery terminals doesn’t matter. The brushless compressor has a polarity correction circuit built into the harness to allow this. 

• What is a polarity correction harness? 

  A polarity correction harness simplifies the use of an ARB portable brushless compressor by allowing either alligator clamp to be connected to either battery terminal. 

• Can I power an air tool with my compressor? 

  Yes, we recommend adding a 4L ARB air tank to your onboard mounted brushless compressor to ensure you have the volume on hand to support this. 

• Can I use my brushless compressor in the rain? 

  The ARB brushless compressor is IP67 water resistant meaning you can operate it out in the rain. 

• Is my brushless compressor waterproof? 

  The ARB brushless compressor is IP67 water resistant, meaning it can be briefly fully submerged, keeping in mind that being an air compressor, it does suck in air and therefore it needs a remote intake fitted at a level which will never submerge. 

• Why does my brushless compressor get hot? 

  The temperature of air goes up as air is compressed, the faster air is compressed, the hotter the air gets.  Therefore, a compressor with a performance level such as the brushless range is going to generate heat, which is handled by the integral active cooling system. 

• Why is my brushless compressor noisy? 

  Most of the noise from an air compressor is generated from the intake as air is ingested in very fast pulses.  That noise is going to become louder as the speed increases.  If noise is an issue, then relocating the intake (ARB Air Filter Relocation Kit – 171519) will greatly reduce the sound levels. 

• How much power will I need to supply to a brushless compressor? 

  Your battery and charging system will ideally need to be able to supply 90 amps at no less than 11.5 volts (while running) for the twin, and 45 amps at no less than 11.5 volts for the single models. 

• Where are ARB’s brushless compressors made? 

  ARB’s brushless compressors are all designed, built, and individually dyno tested in Melbourne, Australia. 
   

• What happens if my vehicle battery is run down from camping? 

  ARB’s brushless compressors will attempt to detune the air delivery until a suitable voltage level is achieved.  In the case of a twin compressor, it may even shut off one of the two motors if necessary.  If a suitable voltage level cannot be reached, then the compressor will stop and echo the status code for ‘Low Voltage’. 
   

• Why don’t both motors of the twin compressor start at the same time? 

  The brushless twin compressor intentionally staggers the start up by only half a second so that the power on surge is effectively halved, allowing it to achieve startup on a lower battery level than otherwise possible, and being kinder to your charging system. 

• How can so much air come from such a small air compressor? 

  ARB’s brushless compressors utilise a very high grade of neodymium (rare earth) magnetic rotor core to get very big-motor performance from a small-motor size.