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Which ARB Compressor?

  • CKMA12 (Single) MSRP $290

    Votes: 21 29.2%
  • CKMTA12 (Dual) MSRP $545

    Votes: 51 70.8%

ARB Compressor CKMA12 or CKMTA12?

36K views 116 replies 35 participants last post by  Downing 
#1 ·
Opinions on if I should get the single or the dual ARB compressor? I have a Rubicon, so won't be using for lockers. Right now I only plan on using it to fill tires. Currently have stock 32" tires, but plan on 37's in the future. I want to mount under the passenger seat using the Teraflex bracket. I see no reason to clutter the engine compartment. I'll never notice the space missing under the passenger seat. Is it worth the roughly $250 more to get the dual compressor?
 
#2 ·
Get the dual, inflates faster than a single, and you some more options further down the road. If you ever want to run some air tools and what not. Mine is mounted under the hood with a Metalcloak mount and a remote quick disconnect fitting. Under the hood it doesn't cover up anything to important, you can still access the brake reservoir and stuff. Watching the install of the underseat mount seemed confusing to me. lol.
 

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#3 ·
The ARB stuff is definately nice and very high quality. But the dual system cost $600 for something that I would use maybe 6 times a year? Your gonna be happy with whatever unit you choose because you can't go wrong with ARB.

I went with the VIAIR 88P for $57.
 
#5 ·
I got the deal on the dual from Northridge when they had it with the bracket, hose, manifold, etc for $500 (I do intend to add arb lockers) then got the dual for my husbands rubicon after seeing how fast it is and getting a good deal. We went with under the hood ok both because it's loud for the person who may be sitting inside when it runs.


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#6 ·
That's the exact set up I have. Twin with the Teraflex bracket. Maybe I'll even get time to install it soon. Lol.
 
#10 ·
You'll probably get to it before I do. Post up if you have any tips.

Mounting the compressor to the seat looks pretty straight forward. It's usually the wiring that trips me up. Looks like you need to find the wire for dash lights, and switched power, and find a way to tap into those wires. Then, find a location for the switch, then find a place in the firewall to run the power wires to the battery. Though, since there is a drain under the passenger seat, maybe use that to get the power wires out of the passenger compartment? I haven't looked at it closely yet.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I have the CKMA12 (Single piston) mounted on EVO underhood mount. Bought the northridge4x4 kit. Install is very clean and looks OEM. I haven't used on trail yet, but I did time it at just under 10 mins for all 4 OEM BFG KM tires. From 18psi to 37 psi. including dragging hose to each tire, etc.

Fun fact. I checked the compressor's temperature with a laser thermometer. Before airing up the tires, the blue heat sink was 72* same as ambient. I started the engine and had the hood open. After inflating all 4 tires. The heat sink was 132* and the piston area was 232*.

Anyway, I like the single. It is a nice upgrade from my viair portable. Easier to store the hose for oba than hot portable unit. if I planned to use it often or had 35" + tires I'd spring for the twin. Under seat mount would be my last choice, but I have a 2dr jk.
 

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#11 ·
I just installed the twin with a Barnes mount and a spod knockoff. The twin is really nice. I went with the underhood because I'm doing lockers as well.



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#12 ·
I also have a Rubicon and don't plan to run air tools, so my ARB Single is just for airing up the tires. It would be really cool to have the double but there's no justification for the cost of the dual for my intended use.

After install I aired up and it was about 30-40 seconds on stock tires.

It felt fast compared to the portable models I used on my old WJ. That was regularly about 2 minutes on a 35" tire.
 
#15 ·
It depends on how much you want to spend. Both will do the job in a reasonable amount of time. For my use, Tires only and no air tools, the single works just fine. I think I timed it at just under 90 seconds per stock tire (including stops for obsessive pressure checking).

That's a hell of alot faster than the portable viar I used to run.
 
#17 ·
I started with the single, worked great,,, but when the 37's got mounted it seem time to upgrade to the twin - easily sold the single- If you ar planning on 37's the twin is you choice.
 

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#19 ·
I'm hearing that this won't fit under hood with a 2017 RHR…

Has anyone run across this?


Where did you hear that? I'm not sure what's changed. I know my 2015 sport was a tight fit, but a fit nonetheless. I can't imagine that a lot has changed where the compressor mounts. Right near the brakes and horn.


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#21 ·
My ac line was really close, maybe even touching the bracket/compressor, but a little tweak and it fit. But that's not a HR edition.


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#28 ·
I was using a Norhridge mount and got as far as installing the nutsert and found out it wasn't going to work!
For the dual or the single?

I've got 35"s, and a single would be fine. Has to be under hood though on my 2017 RHR.

If I went to 37"s, I'd be fine with the single (even if it took longer) if it fit under the hood.
 
#26 ·
After reviewing this whole thread, the consensus is if I can afford it, go twin because it gives the best versatility in the future if I go 37s. However, if funds are limited and I'm only using it to air up 35s, go the single compressor. Sound about right?


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#32 ·
Is there an under seat mount for the CKMA12

As the title says. Is there an under seat mount for the CKMA12? I have stock tires and will stay with stock size tires. I don't air down every time I wheel (I know I should). So I am not planning on spending $600 on a twin system under the seat (heck, I can't really justify spending $300 for an under seat compressor and mount). Up to this point I have used a bicycle pump, I get exercise while I'm filling tires.
I don't want to put the single under the hood as I feel that it is exposed to a lot of unnecessary heat, dust, and moisture. I thought about the CKMA12 system in the tool box, but I like the idea of putting it under the seat.
 
#34 ·
As the title says. Is there an under seat mount for the CKMA12? I have stock tires and will stay with stock size tires. I don't air down every time I wheel (I know I should). So I am not planning on spending $600 on a twin system under the seat (heck, I can't really justify spending $300 for an under seat compressor and mount). Up to this point I have used a bicycle pump, I get exercise while I'm filling tires.
I don't want to put the single under the hood as I feel that it is exposed to a lot of unnecessary heat, dust, and moisture. I thought about the CKMA12 system in the tool box, but I like the idea of putting it under the seat.
The Teraflex mount has holes for the single also.

I ended up getting the double. Very happy with it, though if I were to do it again, I'd probably route the wires differently. Running them though the little hole on the side that's filled with foam was a big pain.
 
#33 ·
I run a CKMA12 under the hood as I have one ARB locker and have a chuck off of it. I have the Synergy bracket. Works great on my 35's and I'm not seeing an issue with dirt, dust, etc. I did route the air intake out to the grill to avoid sucking in heated air. Probably doesn't make a difference though.
 
#36 ·
Been there 18 months or so.

I do take care to hose out the engine bay after a muddy trip.

My buddy has one of the CKMA12's under the hood of his WJ and has been there about 8 years. He has swamped his WJ far worse than I have done to my JK and it is still running fine.

Before the ARB, I had a sh***ybilt as just OBA and that was the worse thing I ever bought. I guess to be fair, it was never designed for mounting in the engine bay but it had a switch failure and would overheat after airing up 2 33" tires from 15 PSI to 28 PSI.

My ARB does 15 PSI to 28 PSI on my 35's in less than 5 minutes for all 4 , doesn't miss a beat and it will then continue to run airing up other tires in the group.
 
#44 ·
4XFour

I didn’t want or need the power switch in the cab, so I made a bracket to mount it in the hole for the horn remount. My plan was to use the horn stud to mount that bracket, but the stud was too short. That caused me to have to rethink how I was going to mount the horn.
I got the EVO mounting bracket along with everything needed from Craigslist. If I had mounted the power switch in the cab everything would have been fine. Since I have to open the hood to use the compressor I figured I would just put the switch next to the compressor.
 
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