12v Air Compressor

[teal95]

Are there any that aren't junk? My car sits for weeks at a time in the work parking lot and the nasty wheels that I mounted my snow tires on gradually go flat. I don't have access to 110v so it's either 12v or battery power.

steve

 

[The Cobbler]

12 volt works in my experience, but not very fast. how about fixing the slow leaks? another option is an air pig

 

[fitz11]

I have the most expensive harbor freight one and it has been surprisingly good.
Wouldn't it be easier to fix the problem though?

 

[BMB]

I hear good things about these

http://www.hydroponicsonline.com/st...ON-OIL-LESS-AIR-COMPRESSOR-_280790586347.html


I have one of these and it works well, but beware it draws a good amount of amps.
I also had to replace the plastic hose with a heavier rubber one after the plastic one melted from the heat at the head.
http://www.pepboys.com/product/details/9357343/00314?isPayInStoreOnlyStore=false

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have the Puma 12v and it's awesome! It will drain your battery, so I let my engine idle when using it. I take it with me anytime I pull a trailer or go fourwheeling. The nice part is it has a tank so you can fire it up and let it build pressure while you pull valve stem caps and get the hose out. I havent run air tools with it, but it might work in a pinch. It doesnt come with any kind of power connectors, only about 18" of leads. I put an anderson connector on mine and made a pigtail with an anderson connector and aligator clips to hook up to a battery. My Bronco's winch is wired with the same anderson connector so I dont even have to pop the hood to use the compressor, I just remove the alligator clip pigtail and plug it in to my winch lead.

Might be kinda big for your application, but it's worth a look. I bought mine from this guy a few years ago.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/311218617803?nav=SEARCH

 

[CNGsaves]

Another option is a portable air tank. A 10 gal tank would have no problem bringing your tires back to drive-able pressure.

+1 it's time to fix the tires also (add tubes to those leaky rim tires).

 

[Danglerb]

The HF middle priced one on sale around $23, looks like a smaller version of the larger one. Second thought get the bigger one as the little one might or any smaller compressor overheat completely filling 4 tires. Most of the small ones aren't made to handle the heat from long run times.

 

[Outlawmws]

Find the load leveling compressor off an older Lincoln or Caddy and re-fit it for a bike pump clip on hose. Those are real popular with the off road crowd for refilling tires from 3-5 PSI to street pressures.

 

[teal95]

I should have thought of the compressor it has. It's a Lincoln Mark VIII that has been converted to springs. Now I just need to figure out what I need to plumb into it.

steve

 

[Danglerb]

Those compressors new are like $600, not cheap many times used either. I think they are low pressure, but maybe fine for car tires.

Seems like a lot of work vs $25 compressor.

 

[Fugio]

Last time I was as Costco, they had one that looked to be all metal and high quality. It was Goodyear branded. Probably China junk, but it looked really good compared to the usual plastic ones.

 

[Outlawmws]

They are more than adequate for tires (not that low pressure) and durable as well.

I have three 12V portable compressors. The worst is a Coleman inflatall, which is still better than a HF piece. The best is actually a commercial/industrial pump; while it parks at 55 PSI, for a 12V it's FAST! I'm pretty sure the Lincoln/Caddy pumps are it's equal at least. So the time spent is a difference of performance.

With the cheapies, they often burn out if run consistently for longer than about five minutes due to heat build up. Giving them cool down time extends their life. Personally I don't like to wait...

 

[151marker]

For $75 to $90 bucks, I've bought a bunch of Superflow MV50's. Very popular in the offroad community. The motor and pumps are solid, the switch, relay and hose not so much. I use mainly to fill 40" tires, no problems personally yet. Would be very quick to fill small passanger car tires.

 

[ttpete]

I have a Thomas that I had mounted in my van along with a 10 gallon tank. The pressure switch would kick off at 100 psi.

You know, it would be a lot cheaper to drive to the tire store and have them install tubes in those snow tires so they didn't leak down. Takes about 30 minutes to do it.

 

[ijroorda]

I've had this one from Harbor Freight for several years now and haven't killed it yet: http://www.harborfreight.com/12v-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-69284.html

I also have an air pig and find it very handy if you have a convenient source of air.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have used lots of no name brands and didn't like them. The only one that has stuck around is this Ryobi one I found at depot one day. Not fast, but not slow. It allows you to fill pool toys or air mattresses via the aux port. Not bad for the $20 it cost me.

Keep in mind none of these 12v machines will be fast.