Air compressor for AS...

[crazylev]

Hello.

I am thinking about compressors for my AS. The only use I will get out of this thing would be to fill a low tire(s) at the staroage place, and blow out water lines for winterizing.

I am looking at Sears web site and there is a mind bogling aray of these guys.

Questions:

1) Do I need a 12 volt or 120v compressor. I probably won't have real good access to electricity at the storage facility.

2) If I go with a 12volt model, does the compressor plug into the round opening that looks like a cigarette lighter socket that is next to the bed in my bambi (also part of the coax stuff I think)

3) If yes to number 2, can you get a 12 volt extension cord, as I am sure the cord on any compressor won't be long enough to reach streetside water valve and tire.

Any recommendations you can give to this air head would be greatly appreciated.

Jonathan

[aluminauts]

I am pleased with our choice of the 2hp 120v sears unit.
see this thread: http://www.airforums.com/forum...ead.php?t=9333

[j54mark]

I bought a Delta oil-less 120 volt 2 gal. compressor that fits neatly under the floor of the wardrobe or in the exterior storage compartments of my '85. It was about $90. It will inflate my truck tires (slowly) to 80 psi. The trailer tires inflate to 60 psi and it does that reasonably quickly. It is considered by experts to be too small to blow out the water lines. I do it several times each fall (we camp until late Nov. or early Dec.) and so far so good.

A 12 v compressor has the significant advantage of being usable in an emergency on the road. They have the disadvantage of being notoriously slow and of very limited capacity.

You do use the "cigarette lighter" socket for 12 v accessories. The problem with an extension is the voltage drop. It will take a very heavy cord to keep the motor from overheating.

I don't like oil-type compressors for blowing water out of lines as they will blow minute drops of oil into the lines.

Mark

[87MH]

Originally Posted by crazylev

Hello.

I am thinking about compressors for my AS. The only use I will get out of this thing would be to fill a low tire(s) at the staroage place, and blow out water lines for winterizing. Jonathan

Jonathan:

My suggestion to you is to get a small battery operated compressor .... lots of possibilities here.....if you already have a cordless drill, many companies offer a compressor that uses the same battery as the drill (light, swazall, rotary saw, etc.). You could also go the 12 volt self contained route that recharges from your car or a 110 charger.

None of the small compressors will give you enough volume to blow out your lines. I would recommend you also purchase a "volume tank" portable air receptical. These look a bit like a large Freon tank, are usually 1' in diameter and 2' long. Most auto parts stores sell these. I think they are about 20 bucks. You might have to make two or three trips to an air refill station to blow out all of your lines, but I think the small (cheapie) 12 volt compressor and hand carried volume tank would be the cheapest and most versatile solution to your problem. -- You could use both of them (tank and compressor) for your home type pneumatic tires also (bike, lawnmower, car, truck, etc.).

[crazylev]

Aluminauts, Mark and Dennis.

Thanks for the input. It seems for about a hundred bucks or less I should be able to find what I am looking for. I think oiless might also be soomething to consider as well as the rechargeable route. I have an 18volt Dewalt cordless drill with two batteries. I'll look into that.

Jonathan