Big Red Gear Twin Head Compressor & Quad-Flate Overview

For greater than 40 years, I’ve been pumping up tyres the gradual manner.

Back within the day – as a young person – I relied on my previous man’s trusty foot pump. Thirty to forty minutes of leg work simply to deliver pressures again up after a weekend of low-psi enjoyable. Hard yakka, nevertheless it did the job.

Then got here the sport changer: my first single-head 12V compressor. At the time, I felt like king of the observe, kicking again whereas it did the onerous work for me. Since then, I’ve owned a couple of completely different fashions – all single-cylinder – and by no means actually felt the urge to improve.

Sure, I’ve examined loads of twin-head models over time, starting from bargain-bin specials to top-shelf monsters. But none ever tempted me sufficient to make the swap.

Hoses and attachments

Then got here the period of inflation kits – head models, multi-hose techniques and all kinds of fancy gizmos claiming to make tyre inflation faster and simpler.

Sure, some did streamline the job, however having a compressor, a management unit and 4 separate hoses to unwind, retailer and inevitably untangle simply didn’t make sense to me. Add in all the additional gear it’s essential to carry, and all of the sudden a primary job turns right into a storage hog – all for marginal time financial savings.

Light bulb second

While trawling by the same old sea of aftermarket equipment, the Big Red Gear twin-head air compressor caught my eye. For the worth, it appeared spectacular – particularly with options like auto cut-off when a preset digital stress is reached. Add the non-obligatory Quad-Flate package, and also you get speedy deflation functionality too – a giant plus in my books.

The actual clincher? Unlike most four-tyre inflation setups that use 4 separate hoses, this one runs all 4 tyres with simply two. Now that’s a system I really wished to attempt.

The trick lies within the hose design. Each of the 2 essential traces has a T-junction half manner alongside,  permitting for a direct connection to the third and fourth tyres, which settle for or launch air as wanted.

That setup impressed me – fewer hoses to untangle, much less gear to stash. So I pulled the set off and now run each the Big Red Gear 12V Twin Head compressor and the non-obligatory Quad-Flate package.

All within the identify of long-term testing. I’ll begin by timing inflation and deflation throughout a couple of situations – one tyre, two tyres, and all 4 – to see how the system handles real-world use.

After that, the package’s going into the 4×4-converted HiAce for an eight-week run to North Queensland, ending with a celebratory photograph on the tip of Cape York. Safe to say it’ll get a strong exercise – and I’ll report again with the decision, good, unhealthy or in any other case.

Slower or not?

Here’s the idea I used to be instructed: pumping up two tyres directly with a single compressor doesn’t take twice so long as inflating one – and doing all 4 gained’t take 4 occasions longer. In truth, it’s not even double the time of two tyres.

You see, the largest bottleneck in any inflation setup is the tyre valve itself. Flow charges fluctuate relying on the stress within the tyre, so it’s tough to pin down actual figures – however the restriction is all the time there. The quickest approach to pump up a tyre is with the valve core eliminated, feeding air instantly into the stem. But let’s be trustworthy – that’s not one thing most individuals need to mess with. I do know I don’t.

The Big Red Gear compressor is rated to a most circulate of 300L/min and 150psi. In actuality, although, the precise circulate charge is dependent upon the stress within the tyres – similar to the airflow restriction on the valve, it’ll fluctuate as you go.

Since the compressor pushes out extra air than the tyre valve can soak up, there’s naturally a bottleneck – and that restriction slows airflow by the system. One aspect impact of that’s warmth. The compressor, hoses and head unit all heat up underneath stress, and the extra resistance within the system, the warmer it will get. And extra warmth? That’s by no means a superb factor for long-term reliability.

Now cut up that airflow in two and inflate two tyres directly. Same air output, however with much less restriction, much less wasted stress, and fewer warmth – seems like a greater system already, proper?

Double it once more and run all 4 tyres directly. With extra shops for the air to flee, you’re getting nearer to the compressor’s most circulate charge. That means decrease system resistance, lowered warmth buildup and, in concept, quicker inflation occasions throughout the board.

Testing time – Inflation

That’s all the idea – now for the real-world outcomes. Check out the desk for the precise figures, inflating from a typical seaside stress of 20psi again as much as a bitumen-ready 40psi.

I had grand plans to measure compressor temps, together with the chuck and Quad-Flate head unit earlier than and after inflation… however like many good intentions, that testing went straight out the window.

Why didn’t I hassle with exact temperature readings? Simple – it was straightforward sufficient to measure the beginning temps earlier than use, however as soon as the compressor, chuck and Quad-Flate head unit warmed up, they stayed scorching for lengthy sufficient to throw off any constant comparisons.

That stated, throughout testing, the compressor obtained heat after repeated use however by no means scalding – it stayed comfy to deal with. The solely element that obtained too scorching to the touch was the four-way head unit, and that was after a number of back-to-back runs. In real-world use, you’re solely inflating a set of tyres as soon as – not working repeated take a look at cycles.

The included carry pouch doubled as a warmth defend and made hose disconnection straightforward even when issues have been heat. At no level did the thermal cut-out or over-current safety kick in. Given the compressor’s velocity and quick run occasions, I’d be assured inflating a number of autos with none trackside delays.

As the desk reveals, doubling the variety of tyres didn’t double the time – sufficient proof for me that this setup saves invaluable minutes trackside.

To put it plainly: inflating one tyre from 20 to 40psi took 1 minute and 16 seconds. Multiply that by 4 and also you’d count on a complete of 5 minutes and 4 seconds. But with the Quad-Flate system, all 4 tyres have been executed in simply 4 minutes and three seconds – saving almost a full minute.

Not unhealthy, eh?

The Big Red Gear compressor is fast by itself, however pair it with the twin-hose Quad-Flate system and it’s even faster.

Inflation Times: 20psi to 40psi

Tested on 285/60R18 tyres (approx. 31.5-inch general diameter).

Testing time – Deflation

Using the Quad-Flate hose package, I repeated the identical take a look at in reverse – dropping pressures from 40psi all the way down to 15psi with one, two and 4 tyres deflating directly.

One useful function of the Quad-Flate system is its potential to deal with uneven tyre pressures. I typically run completely different entrance and rear pressures resulting from load stability – usually heavier on the rear. For instance, on sand I would go all the way down to 20psi on the rear and 15psi up entrance. The system can handle that simply, letting you monitor and isolate pressures as wanted.

The trick with this setup is to begin by reducing all 4 tyres – with all 4 traces related – to the greater of your goal pressures. In the sooner instance, that’s 20psi. The system will deflate till all 4 tyres hit 20psi, then cease.

From there, simply disconnect the 2 rear traces, leaving the fronts connected, and drop them to 15psi. Job executed.

It works the identical manner in reverse when inflating. Set your decrease goal stress first – say 35psi for the entrance – and let the system run all 4. When it cuts out, take away the entrance traces, bump the gauge to 40psi, and inflate the rears. Simple and environment friendly.

Another manner

If you’re not eager on utilizing the Quad-Flate package for deflation, there’s all the time the tried-and-true methodology – screw-on computerized deflators. For comparability, I additionally included a set of Big Red Gear’s four-piece deflators within the take a look at.

The desk reveals deflation occasions from 40psi all the way down to 20psi. Of course, your individual begin and end pressures could fluctuate, and components like tyre dimension and automobile weight may even have an effect on outcomes. But the variations between deflating one, two or 4 tyres directly clearly spotlight simply how a lot time it can save you – and which methodology is most effective.

Check out the desk for the outcomes – simply word that I haven’t factored within the time it takes to stroll round and screw on every of the 4 auto deflators. I timed a single tyre deflation and used that determine for the two- and four-tyre outcomes with the autos, only for consistency.

With the Quad-Flate, I examined one, two, and 4 tyres because the system is designed to do. And right here’s the kicker – it’s a lot quicker than the auto deflators.

One thought for Big Red Gear: a brief 10cm hose would make the top unit simpler to make use of as a stand-alone deflator on single tyres. A small tweak, nevertheless it’d be a useful one.  Let’s see if the mob at Big Red Gear are listening.

Deflation Times: 40psi to 20psi

Tested on 285/60R18 tyres (approx. 31.5-inch general diameter).

While this testing backs up the idea on quicker inflation and deflation occasions, it’s no long-term sturdiness take a look at. Our journey to the Tip and again will clock up round 10,000km – with not less than 1 / 4 of that off-road.

I’ve obtained no thought what number of occasions I’ll be adjusting tyre pressures alongside the way in which, or which methodology I’ll find yourself favouring. But relaxation assured, we’ll be placing the Big Red Gear inflation system by its paces – and I’ll report again not simply from this huge lap north, however from loads of shorter native jaunts too.

Let’s see the way it holds up in the long term.

All up, each the compressor and deflation package carried out flawlessly. I used to be particularly impressed by the standard of the hoses – they roll and unroll simply with out kinking, don’t get overly scorching, and have greater than sufficient size to succeed in all 4 wheels.

The compressor itself is a strong bit of drugs – it appears and feels nicely constructed, ran quieter than many models I’ve examined, and outperformed my expectations for each velocity and ease of use.

While the unit options an computerized stress cut-off, it may also be run in handbook mode. There’s a built-in bleeder valve too, which makes it straightforward to fine-tune pressures or drop a couple of psi at a time. It additionally helps depressurise the system, so disconnecting the hoses is fast and fuss-free.

Overall, I charge the Big Red Gear setup as among the finest compressors I’ve used. The efficiency, construct high quality and considerate options set it aside. There’s no onboard air tank – however with inflation this fast, it merely doesn’t want one.

• RRP: $279 (twin-head moveable air compressor); $399 (twin-head moveable air compressor with Quad-flat package); $49 (4-piece computerized tyre deflator package)
• WEBSITE: https://bigredgear.com.au/
• WE SAY: A quick, well-built and cleverly designed tyre inflation and deflation package that is without doubt one of the greatest we’ve examined.

Twin Head Air Compressor – Specifications

• Power: 1080W
• Input voltage: 12.0-13.5V DC
• Max present: 90A
• Max stress: 150psi (preset) and 125psi (handbook) – auto cut-off
• Max air circulate: 300L/m; 10.6cfm
• Overcurrent safety: Yes (over 120A)
• Over temperature safety: Yes (over 120°C)
• Pressure unit swap: Yes
• Cylinder dimension: 2mm x 60mm
• Air supply hose size: 7.75m
• 12V energy lead size: 1.8m
• Digital stress gauge: Real-time in-tyre stress ±2psi

Quad-Flate Digital Hose Kit – Specifications

• Hose amount: 2 x hoses (4 tyres)
• Length: 2 x 7m
• Hose color: Black
• Hose materials: Premium Anti-kink Hybrid Polymer
• Suits automobile wheelbase: 4500mm
• Tyre fitment chucks: 4
• Chuck color: Red
• Tyre gauge (deflator/inflator): Digital
• Units of measure: psi, bar, kPa, kg/cm2
• Max stress ranking:  200psi
• Batteries: 2 x AAA (not included)