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Home > Jeep Articles > General - Extras > Viair 450C Hard Mount Compressor vs Quick Air 3 |
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Viair 450C Hard Mount Compressor vs Quick Air 3Article written by Moab ManDate Added: 06/13/2006 There are numerous options to add electric OBA but we wanted to focus on a couple of compressors that are moderate in price, quality made, and will meet the needs of an off-roader with 33's or 35?s. |
In searching for a product for our needs we came down to two compressors, the Quick Air 3 and the Viair 450C. | |
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The Quick Air 3 is quite an impressive little compressor when looking at its Flow Rate of 3.65 CFM and we like the fact it is fan cooled. 1/3 Horsepower permanent magnet motor Flow Rate: 3.65 CFM Maximum Pressure: 70 psi Max Duty: 40 minutes @ 40 psi Teflon Piston Rings Oil-less operation requires no lubrication Washable sponge intake filters 50 amp in-line fuse Built in Thermal cut-out Fan cooled Capable of reseating tires on rim with or without tank 35? tire 15-30 psi 2 min 50 sec |
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Here is the tale of the tape on the Viair 450C. 1/4 Horsepower permanent magnetic Oil-less design Stainless Steel Valves High Performance PTFE Piston Ring Anodized Aluminum Alloy Cylinder Automatic Reset Thermal Overload Protector Gearless Direct Drive Motor Max Amperage: 23 Amps Duty Cycle: 100% Flow Rate: 1.66 CFM Max Working Pressure: 150 PSI Max Restart Pressure: 200 PSI Max Ambient Temp: 158°F Min Ambient Temp: -40°F Dimensions: 11.75"L x 4.0"W x 7.0"H Net Weight: 9-3/4 lbs. 35? tire 15-30 psi 3 min 30 sec |
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Ok on paper looking at these two compressors it looks like a pretty clear victory for the Quick Air 3 when comparing the flow rate of the Viair 1.66 CFM vs 3.65 CFM of the Quick Air 3. But lets look a bit closer. 1. The power draw of the QA3 (43 amps at 35psi) is almost double the V450C?s max amp draw (23 amps). 2. QA3 only runs up to 70 psi ? too low of a pressure for Air Lockers or air tools (To run air tools with the Viair 450C an tank must be used.) 3. Most important, the duty cycle. The V450C has a 100% duty cycle and the QA3 can only be run for 40 minutes at 40 psi. Of course your first response is that 40 min of run time is more than enough to air your OWN tires up. I would point out that many of us, particularly Jeeps, have to mount the compressor under the hood due to a lack of space. The heat generated by the engine will reduce the run time of the QA3 so you no longer have 40 min of run time. Another great truth is that if you YOU have OBA there will be others without that will want to be aired up as well so the duty cycle again becomes a factor. | |
 Final ThoughtsEither of these compressors are great products but having lived with a compressor with less than a 100% duty cycle we feel that it is NOT the way to go.Stay tuned and we will look at the placement of the Viair 450C Hard Mount Compressor on Barney, the big purple Tj and see if we went wrong in our final selection. |
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