Air compressor recommendation needed

[Bill M.]

If you are carrying a generator anyway why not get a 110 compressor that actually moves air. Either the pancake Porta Cable if you need oiless for inflation of plastic stuff or to blow out the lines or the oil one from Home Depot at about the same price. Personally I do not carry the compressor when we travel.

[Msmoto]

Originally Posted by Msmoto

This is several years old, but appears to be built well after I inspected the internals.... of course.


Having said all that, this pump was designed for motor cycles, and I suspect it may take awhile to inflate a vehicle tire. I may even do a test run, now that I have wired it for the truck.

I found one here: Sears.com

I think this may be a good one as well... much faster:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z8HAUK/...l_8tnf3u18p9_b

OK, let's be honest....LOL....as noted the pump was for motorcycles, and while it might inflate a trailer tire, many of us do not have that many years left...What I am saying is....this pump is a miserable failure for anything but a very small volume tire....

So, back to the drawing board.....And, as suggested, maybe one that runs from the generator in the bed of my TV....?

[SteveSueMac]

This is what I use - Viair 450P. Love it. Haven't figured out how to use it for winterizing but I'm sure someone has...
http://mobile.viaircorp.com/#2664

[Boxite]

I carry a 120 volt HF 3 gal. "hot dog" compressor ($39) and a 120 volt/400 watt Pep Boys inverter ($25) mounted in my truck. It puts out 120 psi and, with a 25' air hose, airs up my truck (40 psi) and trailer tires (70 psi) quickly and can double for small air tool jobs.

[Wayward]

Well, if you've the budget this one can deal with more than one kind of emergency...

Warn 91800 PowerPlan: Air Compressor and Winch

[Msmoto]

It is about how much money one spends... and I am of the conclusion a pump which is useable for inflating a vehicle tire to 65 lbs/in sq, will be at a minimum $100. Or, if the time factor is not important, i.e., one has half a day to inflate the tire, LOL, then the less expensive pumps may work.

The critical factor may be the rating of the compressor, as in CFM at 90 lbs/in sq should be over about 2 to get the job done in reasonable fashion.

And, I may be purchasing a new one to carry with me so as to be able to have a source for anyone's use at various venues I visit.

[JBinKC]

I'm with Bill M. I'd go for a 110V AC compressor rather than a 12V model. I have a Warn 12V and it's been good and reliable in getting the trailer tires to 65 psi and the truck tires to as much as 72 psi. But reaching the camper batteries means two people are required because the on/off switch is up near the battery and the hose is stretched to the max to connect to the valve on the tire. With a 110V AC compressor, you could hook up with an extension cord so the on/off is right next to you at the tire. And when necessary, the 110V AC compressor could be powered by a generator. Most of the time, I have shore power so the 110V AC would be handier.

[Wingeezer]

Since I generally take our Honda gennie with us on trips, I also take a small 110v workshop compressor from home with built in storage reservoir.

I make sure the reservoir is full before we leave home as the one disadvantage of the compressor I take is that it is a diaphragm type rather than the larger piston compressor I use in our garage (it is much too big to take on camping trips.)

The smaller diaphragm compressor (Campbell-Hausefield?) is handy but it is REALLY noisy - to the point that I would be embarrassed to run in in an RV park!

Brian.

[openroad118]

I just bought this pup at Lowe's for $130....120V and up to 135 PSI. Small, 20#, comes with attached hose for tires and seperate hose to run tools. I carry a gen so no big deal.

[Msmoto]

I just returned from Home Depot where I purchased this compressor.

Porter-Cable 6 gal. 150 psi Portable Air Compressor-C2002 - The Home Depot

While I was attempting to purchase the 3 gallon unit of about $100, not in stock, I did not have time to wait and asked if I could get a discount on the above, retail 149.99. After some discussion i received a significant discount which gave me the compressor immediately, and I spent only a few dollars more than if I would have had to ship the smaller one to my home.

It works excellently, pumping up the spare tire on my new Serenity from the 50 lbs/in sq, I found in the spare, up to the 70 lbs/in sq I like to have in a spare tire to allow for some drift in storage.

At 2.6 SCFM @ 90 PSI, this really works and weighs in at only 30 lbs, something even an old lady can handle.....LOL...

[PharmGeek]

Ok, so a few questions as I am in the market:

1) can these 12v options all run off our trailer batteries with truck off? ANd if not, they can with the truck on? The specs on some say truck must be on, but not sure if it would need to reach truck battery...then I would struggle I think to reach my trailer tires on my 30 foot trailer?

2) As far as AC vs. DC.....I want to be able to operate off the grid, and I do not at this point always travel with my generator...I do have an inverter, but doubt its 1000w will do the job? Also, the DC lets me more easily use it on vehicles as well I would guess.

3) I guess these small ones for airing tires cannot be used to winterize? Wont matter for me much I guess though cause I do the pink stuff....

4) Does the Viair units have a better warranty? Good service?

5) I think that 88P viair unit looks to be the right price and specs for me unless there is something about it I am missing?

6) these 12v offerings...do they require maintenance? some mention oiling them or something?

I am eye balling the viair 88P currently

[AWCHIEF]

I picked this one up today. On sale for $39 minus my 20% coupon. It is very compact and light weight.

3 gal. 1/3 HP 100 PSI Oilless Pancake Air Compressor

[Tincampers]

$39 with your coupon or 20% off $39? Did you get it at a store?

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by mrprez

$39 with your coupon or 20% off $39? Did you get it at a store?

Yes, picked it up at the local HF here in Biloxi. I got a coupon for $39 out of a magazine and also had a 20% off coupon that they excepted.

[ghaynes755]

I have a Viair 400P-RV. I run it off of the truck and they suggest do it with the motor running. Works great and has enough length and attachments that I have helped another WBBI member inflate a totally flat tire in about 3 minutes. Expensive but built like a tank.

[PharmGeek]

I just cannot see my buying the 400 units - as far as I can tell you are buying some different accessories and a higher rate of inflation - as well as an auto off feature once pressurized

I wonder if build quality of the 400 unit vs 88 is really different?


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[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Msmoto

I just returned from Home Depot where I purchased this compressor.

Porter-Cable 6 gal. 150 psi Portable Air Compressor-C2002 - The Home Depot

While I was attempting to purchase the 3 gallon unit of about $100, not in stock, I did not have time to wait and asked if I could get a discount on the above, retail 149.99. After some discussion i received a significant discount which gave me the compressor immediately, and I spent only a few dollars more than if I would have had to ship the smaller one to my home.

It works excellently, pumping up the spare tire on my new Serenity from the 50 lbs/in sq, I found in the spare, up to the 70 lbs/in sq I like to have in a spare tire to allow for some drift in storage.

At 2.6 SCFM @ 90 PSI, this really works and weighs in at only 30 lbs, something even an old lady can handle.....LOL...

Good choice. I carry something similar. Ten tires makes it worthwhile. A few added accessories to use as a point blower can clean out wheel well cavities, not just interior crevices, as well.

Per Michelin, IIRC, I can keep my TT tires overinflated by ten percent when in storage. The compressor makes that easy to accomplish. Etc.

[Tincampers]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

Yes, picked it up at the local HF here in Biloxi. I got a coupon for $39 out of a magazine and also had a 20% off coupon that they excepted.

You got a great deal on that. They are very strict over at the store here in Mobile and wouldn't allow the use of 2 coupons.

I have a Husky 110vac compressor, but I'd like something a little more compact and easier to get in and out of the truck.

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by mrprez

You got a great deal on that. They are very strict over at the store here in Mobile and wouldn't allow the use of 2 coupons.

I have a Husky 110vac compressor, but I'd like something a little more compact and easier to get in and out of the truck.

I have had that happen over here also. Seems the employees have a bit of leeway as to if they take them or not. Sometimes they will even scan the coupons and hand it back to be used again.

[PharmGeek]

I just picked this one up at local northern tool store (new location near my house) - they gave me 20 bucks off 80 dollar price

It's stats appear a bit better than the 88p viair and they promised if I did not like it in upcoming month I can return and any failure defect within 2 years they will accept a return in store - manager there is a really nice guy

I'll give update later after I try it out




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