air compressor hose melted

[Marcel Huijser]

Just as I was done airing up the tires, I lost pressure on my ARB tackle box air compressor. I aired up 4 tires from around 40/45 PSI to 60/65 PSI which took about 3 minutes per tire. It was also hot and sunny weather. Apparently this was too much for the hose... it melted at the metal connector that plugs into the compressor (see image below).


Fortunately it was an easy fix at home. The metal part shown at the end of the hose in the image is really 2 parts that screw together with the hose clamped in between the threads. I used a clipper to clip the hose, pliers, an adjustable wrench and a vise... I would have also had these tools in the field except for the vice... I may have been able to do it without the vise, but with more time and a few expletives.


Lessons:
1. Give the compressor some time to cool off in between airing up different tires, especially if they need substantial inflation.
2. Put the air compressor in the shade when airing up.


Any other suggestions?

[Fitz]

Use a metal braided hose for the first hose off of the compressor.

[shenrie]

Had a similar experience only I couldn’t get my 2 front tires fully reinflated. Got them from 25 to 35psi with an in the field repair but that was as good as I could do with what I had.

After returning home and poking around I noticed a few of the higher end pumps have ss braided hose for the first 6” to a foot of line off the compressor. Makes sense as those little guys do build up the heat. Haven’t got to handle a pump that had ss hose to see how it’s all connected but had planned on getting a local shop to build me a similar setup.

[Marcel Huijser]

Thanks for sharing these experiences and ideas!
Does anyone know if you can buy an "off the shelf" stainless steel hose with the right fittings?

[shenrie]

We have a local place that can make custom brake lines, hydraulic lines, and things if that nature. I plan on hitting them up when the time comes. We used them a lot when we were doing custom cars. Lots of custom power steering lines and various under hood lines making engines that don’t belong work with the stock components. We never had any failures with anything they made for us. Well that was their fault anyway, lol

[REDOVAL]

I've never had an issue with my Viair lead hoses...they may be an option for yours as well.

https://www.viaircorp.com/leader-hoses

I am running this combo on my van and they work well. I do use CO2 most of the time but these aren't disappointing when they are needed for more than the locker. The head design and cooling fins helps a lot with the outlet temps.

https://www.viaircorp.com/dual-packs/dual444c

Scott

[Jack K]

The same thing happened to me with an ExtremeAire Magnum compressor airing back up on my third tire. Did a field repair by cutting off the ruptured portion and re-terminating the hose. After submerging the hose in a basin of water to dissipate the heat, was able to do the rest of the tires. Then it happened again on another trip. Since the compressor was new, I contacted the distributor and they supplied a replacement with 11' of braided reinforced black rubber hose at the compressor junction. No problem since. Braided stainless would likely be even better.

Those compressors get wicked hot filling up four large truck tires.

[Marcel Huijser]

I reached out to ARB about what components to get for a metal lead hose. The ARB representative was very helpful. This is what I got:

1/4in NPT/JIC-04 adapter - 0740101
Steel braided hose - 0740201
JIC-04 coupler - 0740111
Note: you cannot use the "old" plastic receiver as it has a larger diameter thread.

I removed the existing black plastic coupler by unscrewing the metal right under the black plastic coupler (see first image).
Then I put teflon tape on the threads of all new parts, assembled the new parts, and screwed it into the compressor.

Tested it, works.
Hopefully this will prevent a hose melt in the future.
The metal hose bends just enough to fit in the tackle box.

[boywonder]

I have no idea what ARB charges.......but FWIW McMaster sells high temp/pressure hoses as well...in many different lengths.


https://www.mcmaster.com/braided-sta...aded-fittings/

[Marcel Huijser]

Here is what I paid (excl. shipping) at Northridge 4x4:



1/4in NPT/JIC-04 adapter - 0740101
$5.99


Steel braided hose - 0740201
$18.59


JIC-04 coupler - 0740111
$10.76