Thanks you for the honest review. As they say, "the truth will liberate you". I have one of the original thumpers, its still going, but I've only used it perhaps a or two dozen times...I expect I'll be looking for a unit in the near future then.
Good to know, was thinking of one of those twin pumps to replace my DR Air pump which funny enough looks, smells and tastes like all the others...lol... I have had to pull it apart a few times over the years to get it working, but its still struggling along. If I was going to spend the equivalent money of an ARB unit I would get a Sherpa one instead.
Cool, thanks! Going to spend the extra $30 on an xtm or RR single compressor. Closer to home and supercheap/bcf probably have a much easier return process.
i have had my single black thumper for 6 years still going strong, i did buy a twin black thumper after and only lasted 2 years and it slowed down and burnt out and smoke come out of it. Single thumper still pumps up my 33's no problem even with dual hoses
The general consensus seems to be that the single compressors are much more durable than the double. That's my experience too. You would have to be happy with 6 years and still going!
Yeah heard the old one factory theory but you are spot on I reckon, they just copy each other. Of course I'm here because my max thumper dual failed. Heat is a big issue with these units otherwise they'd be more reliable. I found by the time you get to your fourth tire they are incredibly hot. No doubt the reason the small hose on the pressure sensor failed.
I would consider carefully where you permanently fit a compressor in a vehicle. Heat is their enemy. Fit in a tight spot hidden away you could be trying to compress hot air, and cooling without adequate airflow would be severely compromised. Desert travel will test out any of these cheap compressors. Great review BTW.
Absolutely and great point! Mine is in the tool box under the tray, but compressors hidden behind panels or drawers inside a 4wd needs some serious thought in relation to heat.
I went researching buying a Chinese lathe a while ago and there too was a certain amount of comment that they all come from the same factory with different paint. The info I came across was that there was one foundry making all the castings and then various engineering companies buy them and do the machining, assembly and source the various switches and hardware with varying levels of quality. This could be the case here. BTW I have a max and it has been going strong but sometimes I think I should take a little spare with me just in case. LOL
Some of the castings are different , Sumore and Sieg use different castings . I believe sumore do the optimum , grizzly and warco brands - Sieg as far as I know only do their own brand ..
I'm a bit of a tinkerer and have a seriously limited budget. Yes, the single-cylinder Thumper I bought has been used for various tasks intermittently in the six years I've owned it. But I hate it. The 'reverse-plug' situation with the hose set-up annoys me no-end. I've recently been refurbishing an 05 V6 4.0l SHC Ford Courier hi-lift RWD ute (crew cab aluminium tray). I was thinking of modifying the Thumper to accept a tank and a cut-off switch etc, but I think I'll just buy a small electric compressor with a 20-litre tank. I'll have solar to run a 3000W inverter, as well as a 3000W petrol genset on the ute, so I'll be able to run 240V electric stuff easily. I'll hard-mount the compressor to the tray, or go all MacGyver and mount the motor and tank up under the tray behind a guard...or not...
Did you try getting rid of the crap circuit board in the thumper max and just supplying the motor with direct power? Would be interesting to see if it works again. Thanks for informative the videos 👍
Good honnest video, my thumper max dual cylinder was used twice and died while miles from any servo in a remote spot in the north west of wa. It was less than 3 months old and i just couldn't be bothered replacing it as there's a reliabilty issue plus they're a liability and i'm not driving 170km's to another servo with 15psi in all tyres (car and camper)
Cut the board out of it and replace it with a heavy duty relay. Heaps of videos on the maxi trac ones on how to do it. It’s the reason the twins fail and not the single cylinder ones (it’s the board)
I would like to do that as mine doesn't like to stay running, I know nothing about these relays though have seen one American guy doing big mods but doesn't show to wire the relay. I have changed the pressure switch. Any help appreciated
I bought a thumper Max, pumped up the 285/75/16 spare on my 80 series just to test it. I then sold the bus and put the compressor in the cupboard for 4 years then I pulled it out to use in my Mrs prado and it smoked and died on the 3rd tyre.
I came across a video where one of the brush springs had broken, so I pulled mine apart last night and what do you know? Broken brush spring, might be worth checking yours if you still have it.
I own a couple of the kings thumpers compresses and they all failed so I went out and bought an ARB twin suitcase compressor with tank and it hasn’t skipped a beat it’s going bloody good but I wouldn’t buy another Kings thumper pump again mate
I had the single ARB compressor mounted in the engine bay on my Hilux for 6 years and it never skipped a beat. After the Thumper Max died I replaced it with another ARB single.
ARB for me. The first one in my Hilux was mounted under the bonnet for 6 years or so and never missed a beat. I now have one installed in the rear tool box on the Ranger.
Hey mate great review, was looking at buying the thumper dual piston but after your review im having second thoughts. Which 12 volt compressor would you recommend? Ive just installed airbag man airbags in my isuzu mux so need compressor to pump up those bags and the occasional tyre if i need to. Any advice would be most appreciated. Cheers
I had one of these just fail literally on its 12 month anniversary. Sounds like a connecting rod or something has broken. Extremely disappointed in 4wd supacentre here in QLD. The worst customer service ever. Initially approved the warranty but then said they wouldn't cover is as i'd changed the connectors to ring terminals. The ironic thing is that I had it hooked up through their power/switch box. Anyway my advice is don't buy, they are a terrible company with cheap products. I'll be doing a tear down video in the next couple of days and the failure has nothing to do with an electrical issue.
We have gone through 2 big thumpers, both sounded like they would implode. They were hooked up to a small tank to operate a valve on a water truck, bypassed the 90 to 120 psi switch to a 60 to 90 version and was lucky to run for 1hr bfore shitting itself. Absolutely no load on it up to 70 psi, literally took 30 seconds to get the tank to pressure. Total junk.
I use the 160 solar panel and a portable blanket, no issues. My thumper shat itself second time out in the desert, circuit board which seems to be a common issue
Maybe try some of these mods, to see if you can resurrect the compressors. ruclips.net/video/vbCUkxIeupc/видео.html ruclips.net/video/cs2_kXK_Dr4/видео.html ruclips.net/video/BerfYlBAWD8/видео.html I think the issues with Kings is they do not care about quality control, they accept all items produced and then rely on their warranty to get rid of the duds.
Personally had my Kings Thumper Max for 6 or so years. Still works great. No issues at all. However I'm not pumping tyres up every single weekend. If I had the $$ I would probably buy the TJM dual compressor.
Hey Dan. That guy has way more time on his hands than me! I binned these quite a while ago. Some people like yourself have had a good run out of these but the lack of quality control is disappointing.
These air compressors are literally junk, they overheat and just die. Got through 2 tires before smelt burning and died. Would spend the extra dollars and get something non "Kings" I now refuse to buy anything kings, I've had their swag and it leaked after 1 trip and the twin draws, handles snapped off and wood tops lifted up haha. It's the cheapest and worst quality going
Авто/Мото
Thanks you for the honest review. As they say, "the truth will liberate you". I have one of the original thumpers, its still going, but I've only used it perhaps a or two dozen times...I expect I'll be looking for a unit in the near future then.
Thank you for your honest feedback
Good to know, was thinking of one of those twin pumps to replace my DR Air pump which funny enough looks, smells and tastes like all the others...lol... I have had to pull it apart a few times over the years to get it working, but its still struggling along. If I was going to spend the equivalent money of an ARB unit I would get a Sherpa one instead.
Cool, thanks! Going to spend the extra $30 on an xtm or RR single compressor.
Closer to home and supercheap/bcf probably have a much easier return process.
Great report
you can rewire them to get rid of the pcb, add a pressure switch and your compressors will continue living
i have had my single black thumper for 6 years still going strong, i did buy a twin black thumper after and only lasted 2 years and it slowed down and burnt out and smoke come out of it. Single thumper still pumps up my 33's no problem even with dual hoses
The general consensus seems to be that the single compressors are much more durable than the double. That's my experience too. You would have to be happy with 6 years and still going!
Yeah heard the old one factory theory but you are spot on I reckon, they just copy each other. Of course I'm here because my max thumper dual failed. Heat is a big issue with these units otherwise they'd be more reliable. I found by the time you get to your fourth tire they are incredibly hot. No doubt the reason the small hose on the pressure sensor failed.
It is what it is. Thanks for the feedback.
I would consider carefully where you permanently fit a compressor in a vehicle. Heat is their enemy. Fit in a tight spot hidden away you could be trying to compress hot air, and cooling without adequate airflow would be severely compromised. Desert travel will test out any of these cheap compressors. Great review BTW.
Absolutely and great point! Mine is in the tool box under the tray, but compressors hidden behind panels or drawers inside a 4wd needs some serious thought in relation to heat.
I went researching buying a Chinese lathe a while ago and there too was a certain amount of comment that they all come from the same factory with different paint. The info I came across was that there was one foundry making all the castings and then various engineering companies buy them and do the machining, assembly and source the various switches and hardware with varying levels of quality. This could be the case here.
BTW I have a max and it has been going strong but sometimes I think I should take a little spare with me just in case. LOL
Some of the castings are different , Sumore and Sieg use different castings . I believe sumore do the optimum , grizzly and warco brands - Sieg as far as I know only do their own brand ..
I'm a bit of a tinkerer and have a seriously limited budget. Yes, the single-cylinder Thumper I bought has been used for various tasks intermittently in the six years I've owned it. But I hate it. The 'reverse-plug' situation with the hose set-up annoys me no-end. I've recently been refurbishing an 05 V6 4.0l SHC Ford Courier hi-lift RWD ute (crew cab aluminium tray). I was thinking of modifying the Thumper to accept a tank and a cut-off switch etc, but I think I'll just buy a small electric compressor with a 20-litre tank. I'll have solar to run a 3000W inverter, as well as a 3000W petrol genset on the ute, so I'll be able to run 240V electric stuff easily. I'll hard-mount the compressor to the tray, or go all MacGyver and mount the motor and tank up under the tray behind a guard...or not...
Did you try getting rid of the crap circuit board in the thumper max and just supplying the motor with direct power? Would be interesting to see if it works again. Thanks for informative the videos 👍
Good honnest video, my thumper max dual cylinder was used twice and died while miles from any servo in a remote spot in the north west of wa. It was less than 3 months old and i just couldn't be bothered replacing it as there's a reliabilty issue plus they're a liability and i'm not driving 170km's to another servo with 15psi in all tyres (car and camper)
Cheers mate. That’s a real horror story. Shame that the quality is so variable with these.
Cut the board out of it and replace it with a heavy duty relay. Heaps of videos on the maxi trac ones on how to do it. It’s the reason the twins fail and not the single cylinder ones (it’s the board)
I would like to do that as mine doesn't like to stay running, I know nothing about these relays though have seen one American guy doing big mods but doesn't show to wire the relay. I have changed the pressure switch. Any help appreciated
where do you get the juice boss compressors from I live in Melbourne
I bought a thumper Max, pumped up the 285/75/16 spare on my 80 series just to test it. I then sold the bus and put the compressor in the cupboard for 4 years then I pulled it out to use in my Mrs prado and it smoked and died on the 3rd tyre.
Lots of similar stories out there.
I came across a video where one of the brush springs had broken, so I pulled mine apart last night and what do you know? Broken brush spring, might be worth checking yours if you still have it.
I own a couple of the kings thumpers compresses and they all failed so I went out and bought an ARB twin suitcase compressor with tank and it hasn’t skipped a beat it’s going bloody good but I wouldn’t buy another Kings thumper pump again mate
I had the single ARB compressor mounted in the engine bay on my Hilux for 6 years and it never skipped a beat. After the Thumper Max died I replaced it with another ARB single.
CHECK WIRE TO SWITCH AS UNDER WIRE SIZE UNIT
CAN NOT PUMP UP TRUCK TYRES AS UP TO 120PSI
THANK YOU FOR VIDEO
Thanks for honest review, what compressor would you recommend that's reliable? Don't care much about speed as I will be used once in a blue moon
ARB for me. The first one in my Hilux was mounted under the bonnet for 6 years or so and never missed a beat. I now have one installed in the rear tool box on the Ranger.
what budget compressor would you recommend instead?
Nice video thank you. Sounds like you'd recommend xtm if comparable price?
At least for the ease of warranty claims.
There is currently a recall on the XTM compressor
Just saw that on FB
Hey mate great review, was looking at buying the thumper dual piston but after your review im having second thoughts. Which 12 volt compressor would you recommend? Ive just installed airbag man airbags in my isuzu mux so need compressor to pump up those bags and the occasional tyre if i need to. Any advice would be most appreciated. Cheers
Hey mate, I’ve had a great run with the single ARB compressor in a couple of different 4wds. I’d recommend this.
Pop the plastic covers off the Twin compressor and inspect the power cables...there's reports of wires sticking out and shorting out
Howzit my one runs for 30 sec n cuts off ...wat u think is wrong
Spot on,dont go near them
I had one of these just fail literally on its 12 month anniversary. Sounds like a connecting rod or something has broken. Extremely disappointed in 4wd supacentre here in QLD. The worst customer service ever. Initially approved the warranty but then said they wouldn't cover is as i'd changed the connectors to ring terminals. The ironic thing is that I had it hooked up through their power/switch box. Anyway my advice is don't buy, they are a terrible company with cheap products. I'll be doing a tear down video in the next couple of days and the failure has nothing to do with an electrical issue.
We have gone through 2 big thumpers, both sounded like they would implode.
They were hooked up to a small tank to operate a valve on a water truck, bypassed the 90 to 120 psi switch to a 60 to 90 version and was lucky to run for 1hr bfore shitting itself.
Absolutely no load on it up to 70 psi, literally took 30 seconds to get the tank to pressure.
Total junk.
Maybe that is why I’m hesitant to buy one ! I’m also wary of their recovery and Solar gear also .
I bought their 200w solar blanket and was out in the sun for 20mins and bubbles started appearing on the panel haha
I did buy their 12v distribution panel and it’s been great. I did wait until I could see one in the flesh though.
I use the 160 solar panel and a portable blanket, no issues. My thumper shat itself second time out in the desert, circuit board which seems to be a common issue
Maybe try some of these mods, to see if you can resurrect the compressors.
ruclips.net/video/vbCUkxIeupc/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/cs2_kXK_Dr4/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/BerfYlBAWD8/видео.html
I think the issues with Kings is they do not care about quality control, they accept all items produced and then rely on their warranty to get rid of the duds.
Personally had my Kings Thumper Max for 6 or so years. Still works great. No issues at all. However I'm not pumping tyres up every single weekend.
If I had the $$ I would probably buy the TJM dual compressor.
Hey Dan. That guy has way more time on his hands than me! I binned these quite a while ago. Some people like yourself have had a good run out of these but the lack of quality control is disappointing.
These air compressors are literally junk, they overheat and just die. Got through 2 tires before smelt burning and died. Would spend the extra dollars and get something non "Kings"
I now refuse to buy anything kings, I've had their swag and it leaked after 1 trip and the twin draws, handles snapped off and wood tops lifted up haha. It's the cheapest and worst quality going
Crap product . 4 uses and buggered , they won’t honour warranty . No more Kings crap for me