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8.2 Air Compressor

ARB Twin Compressor system with air tank and automatic pressure management for locker operation and tire inflation.

Model: ARB CKBLTA12 Brushless Twin Motor Onboard 12V Air Compressor

Status: Purchased

Product Page: ARB CKBLTA12

Installation Guide: ARB CKBLTA12 Installation PDF

Maximum Amperage Draw: 90A total (45A per motor × 2 motors)1

Fuse Configuration: Dual 60A MIDI fuses via SafetyHub 150 (one per motor)1

Location: Under passenger seat

Product Image:

ARB CKBLTA12 Brushless Twin Compressor

Specifications

Spec Value
Motor Type Brushless, twin motor
Voltage 12V
Max Amperage 90A total (45A per motor)
Duty Cycle 100%
Maximum Pressure 150 PSI
Air Flow @ 0 PSI 9.18 CFM
Air Flow @ 29 PSI 6.20 CFM
Cooling Active cooling with built-in fans
Smart Start Staggered motor power-on
Electronic Control Speed control for temp/pressure
IP Rating IP67 water resistant
Dimensions (L×W×H) 14.49" × 13.31" × 6.69"
Weight 15.8 lb (complete), 13.2 lb (bare)
Warranty 3 years

Control System

  • Control: SwitchPros OUTPUT-11 (15A output, Button 11)
  • OUTPUT-11 provides switched 12V control signal to compressor
  • Compressor has internal relay/control that handles high-current motor switching
  • 14 AWG wire from OUTPUT-11 to compressor control terminal
  • Ground: 6 AWG black wire from compressor to AUX battery negative (direct connection for 90A return current)

Wiring

Circuit Source Destination Wire Protection Notes
Motor 1 Power SafetyHub MIDI-1 (60A) Compressor motor 1 positive 6 AWG 60A MIDI Via SafetyHub 150A CB
Motor 2 Power SafetyHub MIDI-2 (60A) Compressor motor 2 positive 6 AWG 60A MIDI Via SafetyHub 150A CB
Ground Compressor negative terminal AUX battery negative 6 AWG None Direct for 90A return current
Control SwitchPros OUTPUT-11 Compressor control terminal 14 AWG 15A Auto or manual activation

Air Tank

ARB 1-Gallon Air Tank

Model: ARB 171507 (Aluminum, 1-gallon, 4-port)

Status: To purchase (targeting 1-gallon capacity)

Product Page: ARB 171507 Aluminum 1-Gallon Air Tank

Product Image:

ARB 171507 1-Gallon Aluminum Air Tank

Spec Value
Capacity 1 gallon (4 liters)
Working Pressure 150 PSI maximum
Material Forged aluminum end caps + extruded aluminum body (~50% lighter than steel)
Mounting Under passenger seat (horizontal or vertical)
Ports 4 × 1/4" NPT (daisy-chain compatible)

Pressure Switch

ARB Pressure Switch

Model: ARB 180901

Status: Purchased

Product Page: ARB Pressure Switch

Product Image:

ARB 180901 Pressure Switch

Spec Value
Cut-In Pressure 135 PSI (compressor starts)
Cut-Out Pressure 150 PSI (compressor stops)
Mounting On air manifold
Electrical Low-current switch (<1A)

Air Manifold

Configuration: 4-6 port brass manifold

Status: Purchased

Location: Under passenger seat (with compressor and tank)

Port Assignments:

  1. Input: Compressor output → manifold input
  2. Output 1: Manifold → Front locker solenoid (1/4" air line)
  3. Output 2: Manifold → Rear locker solenoid (1/4" air line)
  4. Output 3: Manifold → Rear Air Chuck Plate (1/4" air line)
  5. Output 4: Manifold → Pressure gauge (0-200 PSI, panel-mounted)
  6. Output 5: Manifold → Pressure switch (ARB 180901)

Automatic Pressure Control

SwitchPros Integration

Control Architecture:

Air Tank Pressure Switch (ARB 180901)
    ↓ (trigger signal when pressure < 135 PSI)
SwitchPros TRIGGER-3 (Pin 17, PINK wire)
    ↓
SwitchPros Logic: TRIGGER-3 OR Button 11 → OUTPUT-11
    ↓
OUTPUT-11 activates compressor
    ↓
Compressor fills tank to 150 PSI → pressure switch opens → compressor stops

SwitchPros Programming:

  • TRIGGER-3 Input: Pressure switch signal (tank < 135 PSI activates trigger)
  • OUTPUT-11 Logic: Button 11 OR TRIGGER-3 → OUTPUT-11 (compressor)
  • Manual Override: Press Button 11 anytime to force compressor on (e.g., for tire inflation)
  • Automatic Mode: TRIGGER-3 maintains tank pressure 135-150 PSI without user intervention

Operational Modes:

Mode Control Method Use Case
Automatic Pressure switch via TRIGGER-3 Normal operation - system maintains pressure automatically
Manual Override Button 11 (latching mode) Tire inflation - keep compressor running continuously
Off Button 11 off + tank > 135 PSI Compressor idle, tank maintains pressure for locker use

Pressure Switch Wiring

Circuit Source Destination Wire Protection
Pressure Switch Trigger Pressure switch signal terminal SwitchPros TRIGGER-3 (Pin 17) 18 AWG None (low current)

Outstanding Items

  • Verify ARB CKBLTA12 wiring harness connector pinout for motor 1, motor 2, and control terminals
  • Confirm under-seat mounting bracket/location for compressor and 1-gallon tank
  • Purchase ARB 171507 1-gallon aluminum air tank
  • Order 0-200 PSI pressure gauge (panel-mount or in-line)

  1. ARB publishes Max Amps 90 (total) for the CKBLTA12 brushless twin — matches our doc. The 45A per motor is the 90÷2 split (ARB does not publish a per-motor figure), and the 60A MIDI fuse per motor is this build's protection choice (not an ARB-specified value), sized above the ~45A per-motor draw. Source: ARB CKBLTA12 product page (checked 2026-05-30). NB: this is the brushless CKBLTA12 — do not apply specs from the older brushed CKMTA12 (28A/50A, 40A fuse), which is a different unit. ↩↩