ARB (CKMTP12) 12V Twin Motor High Performance Portable Air Compressor

2.0 out of 5 stars

By Wayne Fenwick - Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2016

Maybe

Been using it about 16 months now and it has begun to squeal like a pig, I am talking with ARB USA now. Let's see how this turns out Update #1 They are requesting that I ship it to them (at my expense) Will let you know what that cost? Update #2 Finally got around to sending it back , $18.75 to ship it via USPS Flat Rate Large box. Sent it on the May 17th. , they got it on the May 19th. Update #3 I just heard from them yesterday. even though they couldn't replicate the problem (Screeching when cold) , they are replacing the unit with a new one anyway (+1 for customer service) Update 4. The new one doesn't t like the cold either, but out of warranty now.

1.0 out of 5 stars

By JEV - Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2019

What is this, junk?

So, I installed an ARB compressor in my vehicle. The quality of the compressor unit itself is great. I ordered this inflation accessory kit, and the hose leaks from the joint to the quick disconnect. I tried to tighten/screw in the fitting better, but that made no difference. I tried to unscrew it so that I can add teflon tape, and it wouldn't even come apart. I setup an exchange from Amazon, and the replacement item is even worse, the product box and all its internal packaging was literally ripped up/shredded and has oil stains already on it! The hose attachment is already corroded and has deep scrape marks on it! Even one of the plastic inflation attachments is broken! This is completely unacceptable quality control and order checking! I hope I can still either exchange it again or get a full refund!!! RIDICULOUS! Maybe I need to just get another brand of hose that will work with my ARB compressor. Now another problem?! The ARB air inflator/gauge is worthless. When I needed it to air up/down my tires, the reading is off by 6-12psi. I aired down to 18 psi and checked with the gauge on the inflator and the inflator only read 9.5 psi on all tires. I verified the 18 psi was correct using two other air gauges. When I aired my tires back up to 32psi using the ARB inflator/gauge, I checked with two other pressure gauges and the both showed 44 psi!!! That's above the max rating on my tires and could have been VERY DANGEROUS if I trusted the ARB gauge/deflators and got on the freeway!!! Even when completely disconnected it reads 6-13psi. It's outside my return/exchange window so now I have a piece of junk paperweight. Again DO NOT buy or trust the air inflator/gauge. I shouldn't have to deal with this kinda crap from a company as popular and "well respected" as ARB.

2.0 out of 5 stars

By Caesar - Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2019

Works well mostly (updated: returned the product)

My ratings are based on what matters to me. Things that matter: The M-style coupler plugs into the ARB Twin Air Compressor (CKMTA12) perfectly, completely leak-free with some PTFE tape on. Air hose is connected via compression fittings to the M-style coupler and plug. The whole system is pretty much leak-free when properly put together, which is very simple. Everything I have mentioned so far seems to be well-made, of high-quality, but only time will tell the rest. What doesn't matter (at least to me): I did not use the inflator valve since I got the AstroAI digital inflator so I cannot say much about it. The plastic pieces are a joke, it's got so much untrimmed excess plastic from the mold parting lines that you can't thread it on the plug. When you carefully trim them off, the plastic is so soft, the threads just get destroyed when you attempt to screw it onto the plug. But let's be honest, who uses those anyway? Updated 7/24/2019: I've decided to return the kit because the coupler leaks air when sideways stress is put on, which happens more than you'd expect especially when you're trying to reach the rear tires and tugging a little on the hose. I guess the product still works but for how much it cost, this kind of quality is not what I expected. A little on the technical specs of these couplers: They are are the U-style (or universal) 1/4" couplers, coupled with the common M-style or industrial plugs. I've spent a few hours reading up on these and found that most of the shop workers/industry people have written that leaks happen more commonly in these U-style coupler even when they are brand-new. If you inspect the couplers closely, you can see that the rubber o-ring on the inside of the coupler where it should meet the "crest" of the ring on the plug is extremely narrow, making a poor contact point causing air leakage when the connection of the plug to coupler is not completely parallel. As compared to the Kobalt U-style coupler I eventually got from Lowe's to replace it, the o-ring is at least 3 times wider, no leaks when I put sideways stresses on it. I ended up picking up a 25 ft air hose from Harbor Freight and the plugs and couplers from Lowe's.

4.0 out of 5 stars

By FuntimeFandrew - Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2017

CKMP12 portable review

This is a great little air compressor. The case it comes in is sturdy and the fittings are nice. The little schrader valve attachment works very well, but I wish it had a pressure gauge on it. Airs up my 35x12.5 from 15 to 35 very quickly. The hose reaches from corner to corner of both my JKU and my 145" wheelbase F150 (just barely, going underneath the truck). You will have to buy a separate wiring harness if you want to hard mount this inside your vehicle at a later date. The alligator clips are hard wired to the compressor. The one BIG drawback is with the alligator clips. They are simply too small. I have to clamp onto a nut on the battery lead, as the clamp will not fit over my battery terminal attachments on any vehicle that I own. The alligator clips do not have ridges on them, so the clamping is sketchy at best. I will be replacing the clamps on mine, but I shouldn't have to for the price this piece costs.