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Recommendation for Car Tire Compressor/Inflator for +/-$50

A

atwnsw

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Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Messages
81
Hi Everybody,

I need to replace my car inflator, ideally with a built-in gauge, for my cars and bicycles. It can be 120-volt AC outlet and not necessarily have a 12-volt connection.

Most of the threads are for air inflators to be used with existing air compressors but I don't have a large air compressor nor do I want one.

My current air inflator (Husky brand) was used only a 1/2 dozen times and died. Therefore, I would like a brand/product more reliable.

Since I am new and can't post links to this forum, you can look at Lowes.com and search for item # 791911 for an idea of what I am looking for....

Thanks in advance.

Anthony
 
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bwringer

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Jan 1, 2013
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10,326
Location
Indianapolis
Much as I hate to bring up That Name here, I have one of these lil' boogers from Harbor Freight in each vehicle. They've been used many times with zero problems, and put out a lot of air for a 12V compressor, and they're very quiet.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-69284.html

With a coupon and a sale, you can get this for around $25. A great deal for a compressor to carry in your car.

They also have a larger 12V model for more money, but the reviews are rather mixed.


For something to keep in your garage and run off 120V, well, that's an entirely different animal.

I'd say this wall-mounted tankless jobbie looks like just the ticket:
https://www.etrailer.com/Tire-Inflation-and-Repair/Tru-Flate/16-250.html
 
V

Voi

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Oct 10, 2010
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5,151
Location
Western South Dakota
atwnsw said:
Unfortunately, I don't have Ryobi tools. Dewalt 18V.
Click to expand...

I know you didn't specify cordless but Dewalt does make a cordless inflator now.

https://www.dewalt.com/products/gea.../20v-max-cordedcordless-air-inflator/dcc020ib

What I like about this one is that it can run on 20V, 12V or 110V.

I realize you said you have 18V Dewalt tools but this would meet your current needs and allow you to go cordless if you upgraded your tools to 20V or even if you decided to run your current tools on the 18V to 20V adapter with current LI batteries.

https://www.dewalt.com/products/acc...chargers/batteries/18v-to-20v-adapter/dca1820
 
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Stuart in MN

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Sep 8, 2005
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23,187
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Minneapolis
I have a Slime brand one that works okay. All of those little things will be slow to blow up a tire, so I don't know if any brand has a clear advantage over others.
 
C

Citation

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Jan 20, 2016
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Location
Indy
For $50 you could look around for a used low buck compressor. I've found more than a few 8 gallon and less compressors for under $50 (but that wouldn't include hose and fittings which could be had for $10-20 at HF or Walmart).

If order/pickup today was the rule I would consider something like this vs a tankless inflator.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-3-Gallon-Air-Compressor/168857942
The pump is certainly low power but probably similar to a good inflator. 120V only. Could be used with an blow gun. The 3 gallon tank is nice since you can fill it up then move to where you need the air. Depending on the tire 3 gallon may not fill it but if totally flat it will be inflated enough to drive a 100 yards to the outlet (useful if you have a mower with a tire that always leaks down but isn't parked near an outlet... or maybe I'm the only one who ever dealt with that...)

This is slightly more powerful but basically the same and similar price.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Briggs-S...mpressor-with-8-piece-accessory-kit/215595050
The second goes to 125psi vs 100 which could be useful for some bikes.

For keeping in my car I have a nothing fancy 12V thing. It will only get used a few times in its life so it doesn't have to be that good to be good enough.
 
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F

FullRaceMerc

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Jan 9, 2015
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3,870
Location
SoCal (SGV)
Alright, this is out of the requested price range by a bunch, but it is my current solution. I started with a cheapie 12v that I figured I'd never really use. Throw it in for when all else fails. But it kept coming up & the silly thing was just not up to the task. My boss bought a similar one that overheats & blows the hose off if used for more than a couple of minutes. If I had it to do over I'd save the money spent on the cheapie & go straight to a better unit.

So I recently bought a Smittybilt 2781, rated at 5.65 cfm. Fairly high cfm for a 12v compressor. About $165. It does not use a cigarette lighter port, but clamps direct to the battery. It is designed for tire filling, not air tool, paint gun, or other tank type work. It is supposed to be used to flow air, but not start up against high pressure. Basically tire filling. It has sure been handy on jobsites. The biggest tires I have used it on so far are on the skid steer at work, & it did fine. I usually carry a co2 tank offroad, but will try this next time out.
 
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