ARB Air Lockers - Whats needed?

[RockTrooper]

I'll be installing axles with the ARB Air lockers (already installed in the housing), but what else is needed for operation? I have run E lockers on my rigs in the past, simple setup, however I am not sure all of the components that would be needed to operate the Air Lockers. Here is my thought process with the air locker setup:

• Air compressor - I have also ordered the ARB-CKMA12 single compressor that I'll use just for the air lockers. What I have read on what it comes with, its just the compressor, manual and that's it. 
• Air Lines - I have to guess that the air lines needed to hookup from the compressor to each axle do not come with either the axles or the compressor. I'll need to order at least 2 and I'm guessing at varying lengths to run to each axle. I have seen Nylon, Stainless Steel, Steel Braided, etc..I'm assuming that I'll need to route the lines and leave some slack for axle travel, but how much is needed for the right setup. (Example: store.arbusa.com/ARB-AIRLINE-SERVICE-KIT-ASK001-P22075.aspx) 
• Coupler(s) - I'm assuming as well that I'll need couplers that will be installed in each axle and then the connection to the ARB compressor. Does anyone know what couplers are needed?
• Operation - I was thinking that I would use my sPOD to engage each locker as needed, however how would I tell it to engage just the rear locker or the front or is this not possible? I found this cable from sPOD (https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/compressor-mounts-accessories/300-arb-spod-adapter-harness-for-arb-compressor) and it reads "You can also control the front and rear lockers", I'm guessing this allows the split for operation individually. Anyone know?

Am I missing something? Any feedback/direction would be appreciated.


Thanks! 

[walter53]

With ARB air lockers you cannot engage your front locker (seperate switches for front & back lockers) without having your rear locker engaged and you can run your air lockers in high gear if you choose to.  FYI - if you install your compressor in the cab with air lockers you will have to live with the occasional noisy "burp" of the compressor when you engage the lockers and when the compressor has to activate to maintain the lockers in the locked position.  

If you install the compressor in the engine compartment you must deal with the exessive heat produced there that could damage or reduce the life expectancy of the compressor.

Rick H.

 

[mnjk]

The SPOD cable allows you to turn the compressor on/off and turn the lockers on/off. Not sure on the couplings to the axle.

[jchappy]

My guess E-lockers would be better if you plan on going to an Atlas this way you can just turn on a front locker and do a front dig. or set up solenoids to work independently so you have that option to only activate front locker.

[RockTrooper]

Jun 27, 2017 20:05:22 GMT -8 walter53 said:

With ARB air lockers you cannot engage your front locker (seperate switches for front & back lockers) without having your rear locker engaged and you can run your air lockers in high gear if you choose to.  FYI - if you install your compressor in the cab with air lockers you will have to live with the occasional noisy "burp" of the compressor when you engage the lockers and when the compressor has to activate to maintain the lockers in the locked position.  

If you install the compressor in the engine compartment you must deal with the exessive heat produced there that could damage or reduce the life expectancy of the compressor.

Rick H.

 

Rick, so you cannot engage the lockers independently? More specifically you can engage the rear locker independently however in order to engage the front locker, the rear would need to be engaged first? Is this a limitation of the compressor? I would think that each locker could be engaged as needed. From a safety standpoint, I agree engage rear and front....

I plan on installing a compressor in the engine bay and this will be used only for the lockers, I'll have a separate air source for tools and tire inflation installed in the cab.

What size air lines did you run for each axle? Also, did you have to get couplers for each axle?

thanks bud!

[RockTrooper]

Jun 28, 2017 6:22:43 GMT -8 jchappy said:

My guess E-lockers would be better if you plan on going to an Atlas this way you can just turn on a front locker and do a front dig. or set up solenoids to work independently so you have that option to only activate front locker.

Yes, Atlas is the plan (I'll need to sync up with Rick on this too since you mentioned he was having issues with DS setup). When I was researching the pros/cons with the lockers, ARB Air locker came out on top, but not by much. I already do not have an ETA on the axles, not sure I want to call them and change it up and risk being put on the back of the list! 

[RockTrooper]

Jun 28, 2017 6:03:37 GMT -8 mnjk said:

The SPOD cable allows you to turn the compressor on/off and turn the lockers on/off. Not sure on the couplings to the axle.

Yeah, I need to find out what couplings are needed on each axle (I would assume they would already come installed, however not 100%) as well as the air lines coming from the compressor to each axle...need to determine the optimal length for each.

[jchappy]

Rick had to get new front and rear drive shafts.