VIAIR 400P-Automatic Compressor Kit

[Matt]

This little guy came in today :cool:

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/12/20111228192510-1.jpg

When I get a chance I'm going to test out the inflation times. I'll make sure I fill you guys in https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

[hoaxci5]

Please do, I'm still in the market for a replacement air compressor since my Harbor Freight one died, and I have to keep my 32" spare deflated.

[Sal-XK]

Have you hugged your UPS guy yet LOL

[Matt]

Have you hugged your UPS guy yet LOL

He has an XK!!! I gave him the website and my email address the last time we talked... i've been hoping to see him pop in here eventually.

[Matt]

$260 WELL SPENT!! (Amazon with free 2 day shipping)

There's only one negative... so lets start with that.

What the hell was VIAIR thinking with their gauge selection?? A 200 PSI gauge is just, well, dumb. Give us a 0-50 or 0-60 gauge for better accuracy. I have a cheap gauge that I keep in the vehicle so I used this for my pressure readings.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/12/20111231132304-1.jpg

I guess the only other let down is the bag is a bit thin and the zippers feel cheap... I'll probably put this in a small toolbox eventually anyways to make it easier to pack and strap down.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/12/20111231133235-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/12/20111231132549-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/12/20111231132556-1.jpg

Inflation time was very impressive. I'm only running 245/75/17s... so they're obviously not huge tires. But I went from 19 PSI to 38 PSI in 1 minute 35 seconds...

Another thing I was impressed with is how quiet it is. The last compressor I had was just annoyingly loud, you couldn't talk to someone within 10 feet of it. These pictures were taking while I was airing up the tires.... i had no problem with either of my kids being around the compressor (though i made sure JT didn't touch it in case it was hot). You'll also notice that my wife is on the phone; unaffected by the noise as if it wasn't even there.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/12/20111231132730-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/12/20111231132734-1.jpg

In short: I highly recommend!!

[Sal-XK]

Good review nice to see the whole family pitching in :)

[Matt]

Working on our vehicles is always a family event... my son would be heartbroken if I didnt ask him for help!

[LWM]

$260 WELL SPENT!! (Amazon with free 2 day shipping)

If anyone else is in the market, I can beat that price!.... Sorry, Matt! :)

[Matt]

If anyone else is in the market, I can beat that price!.... Sorry, Matt! :)

Really? Not the 400P, it's the 400P-Automatic. The 400P is $200 but i wanted the automatic function so i didn't have to run to turn it off.

$200 400P = http://www.viaircorp.com/OffRoad/400P.html
$260 400P-Auto = http://www.viaircorp.com/OffRoad/400P-A.html

If you can do the 400P-Auto for under $260 shipped then..... https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

[LWM]

Really? Not the 400P, it's the 400P-Automatic. The 400P is $200 but i wanted the automatic function so i didn't have to run to turn it off.

$200 400P = http://www.viaircorp.com/OffRoad/400P.html
$260 400P-Auto = http://www.viaircorp.com/OffRoad/400P-A.html

If you can do the 400P-Auto for under $260 shipped then..... https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

It is close as I would eat the shipping, but I could do it. But don't sweat it, I would have only saved you a couple of dollars so you did real good at that price. The shipping is the advantage they have over the rest of the market.

[Matt]

Yeah it is one hell of an advantage... but not everything is eligible for the shipping, and it does cost money to be a member of prime.

[Matt]

Here's an E-mail i sent to VIAIR. I'll keep you guys informed. I definitely want to change the gauge on this thing... but for $80+, I'll just buy a new tire inflator for $30.


To whomever gets this E-mail.... Happy New Year!

I got a 400P-Automatic for Christmas this year. I had to test it out right away and it worked great, except I was very disappointed in the 200 psi gauge selection.

The gauge itself is practically useless. To start, it's not accurate at all below 30 psi (I wouldn't expect a 200 psi gauge to be), so users need a separate gauge to air down. And the same for airing up.... although it's good enough to get in the "ballpark" of the pressure I'd want, the resolution just isn't there. I've been in the offroad world for quite some time and I've never heard of someone inflating their tires over 60 psi; the most common range for oversized offroad tires is 30-50 psi. A 0-60 or 0-100 psi gauge would be much more applicable for this kit. I provided a picture with this E-mail to show what I'm talking about for the resolution of the gauges.

I'm not sure if the 200 psi gauge was put there for legal/liability reasons? In any case, the compressor is designed to kick on below 120 psi and turn off at 145 psi. So if the high pressure gauge is required to cover those pressure, I would advise looking at a 0-150 or 0-160 gauge to help a bit with the resolution.

I was hoping that you could help me replace the gauge on my unit with a more applicable 0-60 psi gauge. I looked at McMaster.com's catalog and a 0-60 psi, 4" round, 1/4"NPT, non-certified gauge costs $80 + shipping. Can you help locate (or even supply) a more affordable replacement?

Thanks in advance for your help,
Matt

[Matt]

I just realized that the McMaster guages are all Grade-A accuracy... I'll have to wait for VIAIR to respond since I don't know what class their gauge is.

If it's Grade-B, I can get something like this:
http://valvesandinstruments.com/3-1-2-dial-size-ashcroft-commercial-gauge-60-psig-range-1-4-lm-35-1005-02l-60.html

Edit: Just measured and looks like the VIAIR is a 2.5" gauge face, so this one would be more applicable:
http://valvesandinstruments.com/2-1-2-dial-size-ashcroft-commercial-gauge-60-psig-range-1-4-lm-25-1005-02l-60.html

[Sal-XK]

That's better then $80

[Matt]

Yeah I knew something was off when I went to Northerntool and saw gauges for $10....

Check this one out. It's grade-A (+/- 1%) and liquid filled:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/SPAN-Pressure-Gauge-5NMX9?Pid=search
$40... still better than $80! May get that for my shop gun since that gauge is off.

[Matt]

Hear back from VIAIR. I was right... they basically have the high pressure gauge on there because the compressor is capable of reaching 150 PSI, so they really couldn't do anything for me.

Just ordered this guy from McMaster: http://www.mcmaster.com/#3846k16/=fmww9f
$11

[collinsgto]

thats pretty cool! wonder what the "auto" mechanism is... i have an air pump that looks remarkably like the one you ordered ;) a couple fittings and we're off!

here's the one i've got:

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/IMAG0700-1.jpg

[Matt]

Almost all VIAIR pumps look like that, but each has different features & intended uses. What does the tag on the pump say? Should have a part or model number on it.

I bet its one of these:
http://www.viaircorp.com/OffRoad/compressors.html

[Matt]

Got my $11 gauge from McMaster today... this'll give me a bit more accurate of a reading ;)

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2012/01/20120104171631-1.jpg

[collinsgto]

and you'd be correct! its a 450C. looks like i'll need to get a reservoir tank if i plan on taking this on the trails with me.

[Matt]

That 450C is a sweet compressor!! An air tank and a pressure cutoff switch and you're set.