Air Compressor 12V vs 110V "portable"

[Nofries]

I need/want a compressor for airing up tires on trailers. I have a camper and an Equipment trailer that I need to occasionally inflate the tire after sitting for some time. Seems like a 12V would be best but I've used them off-roading and they do have their limitations. I'm considering a 1 or 2 gallon 110V for this and it would be a little more versatile, quicker, and more durable. I realize power convince the 12V is the best since a tow vehicle and a camper haver batteries. I do have an outlet in the bed of my truck, I need to check the amperage it can handle vs the compressor draw, To me this would be ideal if it is cappable of handling the amps.
Thoughts and experiences would be appreciated, also model recommendations.

Viair would probably be the 12V version open to others. ARB is too expensive I think for what I want.
I'm open to most name brand compressors including Horrible Freight
$200and below is my budget

I'm not concerned about how loud it is, Speed durability and ease of use are priority.

 

[WWheeler]

I have a VIAIR 400P that I used to carry in my roadside kit. It's a great little compressor, but took up a fair amount of space and wasn't all that convenient to unpack, hook up to the battery (too many amps for an accessory plug), then to unhook and put everything back away.

It's now been replaced by a Dewalt DCC020I 20v Tire inflator. I now have two of the Dewalts, one for the truck and the other for the garage. I bought the second one a couple weeks ago when Tractor Supply had them for $69. Takes up a fraction of the space, much quicker to use and put away. It's so much more convenient that it will stop when it reaches the desired air pressure setting so I don't have to sit and babysit it like the VIAIR.

There are a lot of similar cordless tire inflators out now from other brands. If you already have a cordless tool battery platform, good chance they may have one.

Milwaukee has perhaps the fastest cordless inflator out now, quite a bit faster than my Dewalt to fill a tire, but it doesn't have the ability to also fill up and deflate inflatables, like air mattresses and water towables, which is what mine gets used most for.

 

[Nofries]

I've not really considered a tire inflator. I need to look at what pressure it goes to. I run E load range tires so I'm well above a passenger car 35 PSI.

I have a plethora of Milwaukee tools I'm going to check em out.

I still like the idea of having a compressor but it may be an alternative.

 

[whateg01]

. I bought the second one a couple weeks ago when Tractor Supply had them for $69.

I have been wanting one to supplement the M12 I have and nobody told me they were on sale???

 

[Nofries]

Well the RED one is $180 for the M18 but it does have great reviews and will inflate to 120. This may be the ticket.

I like the multiple usage possibilities of the 110V buy om not sure what it really would use it for.

May have sold me on the tire inflator. Just going to buy the Hawk inflator or whatever it is called on the infomercials.

 

[whateg01]

Well the RED one is $180 for the M18 but it does have great reviews and will inflate to 120. This may be the ticket.

I like the multiple usage possibilities of the 110V buy om not sure what it really would use it for.

May have sold me on the tire inflator. Just going to buy the Hawk inflator or whatever it is called on the infomercials.

From the web, the 20V Max will run off 12V, 20V battery, or 120V (although the packaging says 110Vac).

 

[mike93lx]

From the web, the 20V Max will run off 12V, 20V battery, or 120V (although the packaging says 110Vac).

It may be a model that's no longer available, but my Dewalt 20v inflator is 12VDC and 20v only. I wish it ran on 120v

 

[u2slow]

FWIW, my little $90 2gal 120V compressor would NOT start with a 1800W inverter. Starting current is too much.

 

[whateg01]

It may be a model that's no longer available, but my Dewalt 20v inflator is 12VDC and 20v only. I wish it ran on 120v

I think that's how they were when I looked before, so yeah, maybe an update

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

You need to consider your uses. My truck and toy hauler have tires that are 80psi+. My old Puma 12v compressor is badass for filling up big offroad tires, but I would consider it "high volume, low pressure".

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I mounted this Viair in my toolbox and it's perfect for topping off the truck/trailers due to it being more "high pressure, low volume". It's actually faster than using my garage IR compressor.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001L80244?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have a single motor ARB in my Jeep and it's great for what it is, but too small to be using regularly for large tire duty. I understand the options are both over your budget, but I've had the Puma for probably 15yrs or more, so it's been a good investment.

 

[WWheeler]

From the web, the 20V Max will run off 12V, 20V battery, or 120V (although the packaging says 110Vac).

It may be a model that's no longer available, but my Dewalt 20v inflator is 12VDC and 20v only. I wish it ran on 120v

It doesn't come with the 110v adapter, but it can be bought separately. Gotta read the fine print.



I have no idea what 110v battery they are talking about though. lol

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[mikedodge]

Being careful of those little 1 or 2 gallon compressors. I've bought them before thinking they'd be handy for small things and they wouldn't even top up a bicycle tire without running forever.

A good 12V one should work on RV tires. I have a cordless one that will get up to that sort of psi and last for multiple vehicles.

 

[mike93lx]

It doesn't come with the 110v adapter, but it can be bought separately. Gotta read the fine print.



I have no idea what 110v battery they are talking about though. lol

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Well no ****, would you look at that. Thanks.

Guess it makes sense that the 120v power supply is just a ac/dc converter.... I had in my head that it would be a straight ac connection

 

[theoldwizard1]

The Milwaukee M12 2475 is great for bicycle, ATV and other small tires. It will easily "top off" 4 tires on a car. Not fast, but it gets the job done.

NOT RECOMMENDED for bring off-road vehicles from very low pressure (< 10psi) back to "road use" (>30PSI).

 

[Nofries]

The Milwaukee M12 2475 is great for bicycle, ATV and other small tires. It will easily "top off" 4 tires on a car. Not fast, but it gets the job done.

NOT RECOMMENDED for bring off-road vehicles from very low pressure (< 10psi) back to "road use" (>30PSI).

I'd be looking at the M18. And we do run about 8-10 PSI but it is trailered so we generally aren't airing back up. Unless we pop a bead or puncture a tire.
We have used a Viair to reseat a bead.
It's just hard to justify the cost for a "single" use item airing up tires vs an air compressor, but also I'm not 100% sure I'd use it for anything else.lol

 

[WWheeler]

Well no ****, would you look at that. Thanks.

Guess it makes sense that the 120v power supply is just a ac/dc converter.... I had in my head that it would be a straight ac connection

FWIW, if that's a capability you wanted but the $50 price tag was too large to bite, I did see there were other non-Dewalt options for less.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=DeWalt+I...-20&tag=atomicindus08-20&tag=atomicindus08-20

Are they going to be as reliable, same spec, not going to F* your inflator up? I suspect they'd be fine but

 

[mike93lx]

FWIW, if that's a capability you wanted but the $50 price tag was too large to bite, I did see there were other non-Dewalt options for less.

Amazon.com : DeWalt Inflator Power Supply DCC020IB

Are they going to be as reliable, same spec, not going to F* your inflator up? I suspect they'd be fine but

I appreciate the suggestion. A 12vdc converter should be simple enough to trust an off brand.

It would be nice to have for sure as the main use for the Dewalt is to sit in the pool shed to inflate toys, not to really be portable

 

[pbon]

You buy cheap and often end up with junk and rush you had spent more to begin with. I have the Milwaukee M12 and M18 inflators and the M18 compressor. The M18 inflator is decent but about $120 on sale and you need batteries and a charger. The M18 compressor is definitely out of your budget but pretty good. An alternative is the Ryobi 1 gallon 18V compressor, which is $129 on Amazon but you need batteries and a charger.

 

[Nofries]

Yeah I'm not one to typically buy real cheap.
$200 for a inflator/compressor that I'll use a few times a year seems reasonable to me. I'm looking for best value.
I have plenty of Milwaukee batteries.
You have the M18 compressor? How well does it work compared to the inflator.

I may just end up with a Viair. Good history for durability and it'll do what I want. I don't care for the inability to adjust the air pressure. And hassle to hook up the battery leads. But power source should never be an issue. Which seems to be the determining factor for me as I look at the options.

 

[dnschmidt]

I have the M18 and I like it. OK so it cost money. However, you often can get one for free if you buy a battery. At this point in my life I care less about cost than ease of use.

 

[Nofries]

I have the M18 and I like it. OK so it cost money. However, you often can get one for free if you buy a battery. At this point in my life I care less about cost than ease of use.

Thats something else I hadn't considered. My son has bought me half of my Milwaukee tools and I barely watch the sales, because I usually just buy what and when I need it. I am not living check to check by any means. Actually just found a need for a DA sander something else I'll be looking at.

 

[pbon]

Yeah I'm not one to typically buy real cheap.
$200 for a inflator/compressor that I'll use a few times a year seems reasonable to me. I'm looking for best value.
I have plenty of Milwaukee batteries.
You have the M18 compressor? How well does it work compared to the inflator.

I may just end up with a Viair. Good history for durability and it'll do what I want. I don't care for the inability to adjust the air pressure. And hassle to hook up the battery leads. But power source should never be an issue. Which seems to be the determining factor for me as I look at the options.

The M18 compressor is a real compressor — 2 gallons, 135 psi. It is really more than you need and bigger and heavier. I think mine was $249 on sale. It can run nail guns — light construction work. Very well made. One advantage is that you could fill it before you go and start with 2 gallons of 135 psi air. Leakdown is pretty slow as I recall.

Had one of those 1 gallon Ryobi and it is less than half the size and weight. That makes it attractive for portability where space is an issue but you need more than what an inflator can do.

The M18 inflator is very good for an inflator and probably closer to what you need unless you need a compressor. Much better than the little M12 buzz box but also twice the size and more than twice the weight.