Grassroots Motorsports

Register Log in to GRM
- Community

Birthdays
Recently on the Classic Motorsports forums

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » suggest to me a good portable electric air pump

Sept. 20, 2011 7:03 p.m. irish44j Dork

I have a basic electric air pump for the car. It sucks. Takes like 10 minutes to add 3 psi to the truck's tires, and so slow it's pretty much worthless for pressure changes at autocross. I have a mobile air tank, but it's a hassle to fit it into a WRX with jacks, 4 track wheels, etc. lol. And no good for use at home to just to the family cars pressures, etc.

SOOOOO.

Suggest to me a good portable electric air pump that doesn't cost a million bucks (though I plan to make this a Christmas present, so my wife will be buying it!) I'd prefer one that can run off a car cigarette lighter rather than a battery-powered one that has to be recharged. If it can also be run off house plug power, that's a plus as well (but not required)

Priority is something that has a decent CFM/air rate......not too concerned with size or weight or any of that.
Sept. 20, 2011 7:07 p.m. amg_rx7 HalfDork

Via Air http://www.amazon.com/Automotive-Compressor-Complete-0-250-Gauge/dp/B001E6FLPI

I use it for my Spec Miata and keep in the trunk of my street car when not racing.
Sept. 20, 2011 7:50 p.m. mw HalfDork

I like the harbor freight direct drive one that's $20-30 depending on if it's on sale. It's pretty quick and being direct drive, it's quieter than most. The only downside is that since it's direct drive it sometimes doesn't have the torque to start under load. I just turn it on and then hook up the chuck. I've been using mine for 3 years and would replace it with the same one if it broke. http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-96068.html If you want to spend more, they have a bigger one, but you have to hook it to a battery instead of cigarette lighter.
Sept. 20, 2011 8:15 p.m. impulsive New Reader

these are fairly popular among off-road folks:

it's 12v, use gator clips & hook it to your car battery.
Sept. 20, 2011 9:40 p.m. irish44j Dork

21lbs is a bit more than I want to carry around, lol. Need something a bit more compact!
Sept. 21, 2011 8:39 a.m. mike Reader

mw wrote:

I like the harbor freight direct drive one that's $20-30 depending on if it's on sale. It's pretty quick and being direct drive, it's quieter than most. The only downside is that since it's direct drive it sometimes doesn't have the torque to start under load. I just turn it on and then hook up the chuck. I've been using mine for 3 years and would replace it with the same one if it broke. http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-96068.html If you want to spend more, they have a bigger one, but you have to hook it to a battery instead of cigarette lighter.

I have some experience with this one, and I second your recommendation. The little one works well, and it's surprisingly quiet, too.
Sept. 21, 2011 12:43 p.m. car39 Reader

My friend bought one of these for autox, he likes it

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-12v-portable-inflator-w-digital-tire-pressure-gauge...
Sept. 21, 2011 1:24 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

Is this for filling tires? I stopped carrying the can-o-air at the track because this works everywhere... and it is surprisingly fast to add a few lbs.

$25 on Amazon
Sept. 21, 2011 4:02 p.m. CLynn85 Reader

I've been using one of these for almost 6 years, it's survived a lot of abuse in my Jeep, and currently resides in my Tacoma. I got mine from pep boys. They have smaller models, but I have no experience with them. Only thing that has really gone wrong on mine is that the chuck finally started leaking air, it's since been upgraded with more standard parts.

http://www.amazon.com/Industries-MV50-SuperFlow-Hi-Compressor/dp/B000BM8RT8
Sept. 21, 2011 5:06 p.m. irish44j Dork

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

Is this for filling tires? I stopped carrying the can-o-air at the track because this works everywhere... and it is surprisingly fast to add a few lbs.

$25 on Amazon

lol....yeah, I have a very nice manual bike pump (I MTB) which I use for quick couple psi at home or whatever....but (for instance) when I'm out on the beach with the 4Runner and then need to add 15lbs to each corner once I get back on the streets......I think my arms would fall off trying to add all that air to 31s!
Sept. 21, 2011 9:16 p.m. former520 New Reader

CLynn85 wrote:

I've been using one of these for almost 6 years, it's survived a lot of abuse in my Jeep, and currently resides in my Tacoma. I got mine from pep boys. They have smaller models, but I have no experience with them. Only thing that has really gone wrong on mine is that the chuck finally started leaking air, it's since been upgraded with more standard parts.

http://www.amazon.com/Industries-MV50-SuperFlow-Hi-Compressor/dp/B000BM8RT8

+1, I retreaded the output to use standard air fittings. Filled my 35"er on my dodge from 20 to 45 in about 20 min. Super handy to have around the house. Way quicker than waiting for the compressor to come up to pressure for top ups.
Sept. 21, 2011 10:12 p.m. Fit_Is_Slo Reader

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

Is this for filling tires? I stopped carrying the can-o-air at the track because this works everywhere... and it is surprisingly fast to add a few lbs.

$25 on Amazon

You are insane lol
Sept. 21, 2011 11:17 p.m. oldtin Dork

Viair has some strong, compact compressors - I played around with a chinese knock off - good for 150psi at about 4cfm for less than $200 for the real thing (the knock offs don't like being at odd angles though - false economy - roasted mine). The MG is getting onboard air to run a pneumatic powered clutch - using a sanden A/C compressor - with a couple of mods it can put out nearly 300 psi at 8 cfm (better output than my sears 5hp). If you can live without a/c...For more money there's extemeaire. The viair has close to a 30 amp draw, but filled 1/2 gallon tank from 0 to 150psi in about two minutes. Viair and Extremeair units are about 12 -14 lbs. However you choose - look at the cfm numbers. A lot of the little portables are like 1/2 - 1 cfm = slow
Sept. 21, 2011 11:28 p.m. fast_eddie_72 Dork

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-150-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-66399.html

An autocross buddy of mine had this one and it was impressive. Reviews look like reliability may be an issue. I'll check with my buddy and see how his is doing. Sure could fill tires in no time.
Sept. 22, 2011 8:05 a.m. Otto Maddox Dork

Fit_Is_Slo wrote:

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

Is this for filling tires? I stopped carrying the can-o-air at the track because this works everywhere... and it is surprisingly fast to add a few lbs.

$25 on Amazon

You are insane lol

I use my bike pump too. It is much faster than my cheap air compressor. And it gives you a free light arm workout.
Sept. 22, 2011 8:58 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

Otto Maddox wrote:

Fit_Is_Slo wrote: You are insane lol

I use my bike pump too. It is much faster than my cheap air compressor. And it gives you a free light arm workout.

I concur. Even though I might possibly be insane... I can put 10lbs of air in a 245/50/15 in about 20-25 pumps and it never runs out of air, does not need a power source. I have spent enough frustration having to run across the paddock with an empty air tank or trying to move cars around so I can get a 12v socket next to my race car. This is quick, convenient and reliable.

Typically I'm not adding 10lbs either... just one or two lbs to adjust for track temps, etc. A few pumps per tire in less than 2 minutes.
Sept. 22, 2011 9:54 a.m. miatame HalfDork

I bought the biggest HF one for about $55 on sale. I use it at autoX, but I'm more impressed with it airing up my 31" tires on my Jeep after offroading.

It sounds like it will last longer if you keep the car running (and charging) while you pump. It sounds like it is straining a lot less when I do that.

I wouldn't mess around with the cig lighter ones, they seem to burn up quickly.
Sept. 22, 2011 9:57 a.m. sobe_death Reader

I saw one of these at the last autocross we had. Filled tires faster than both the plug-in compressors and the mountain bike pumps.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00911586000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&bl...
Sept. 22, 2011 10:15 a.m. Josh Dork

One more vote for the sears cordless compressor, I borrow my buddy's all the time, I really ought to just get one of my own :).
Sept. 22, 2011 10:58 a.m. Ian F SuperDork

sobe_death wrote:

I saw one of these at the last autocross we had. Filled tires faster than both the plug-in compressors and the mountain bike pumps.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00911586000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&bl...

I hope it works better than this one I bought:

http://www.jerrybickel.com/wheels-tires-tire-gauges-and-air-compressors/air-compre...

What a piece of junk...

When I get back to autocrossing on a regular basis, I'll probably spring for the pricey one from Griot's. His stuff isn't cheap, but he rarely sells crap so you can usually be confident it will work as advertised.
Sept. 22, 2011 12:48 p.m. pigeon Dork

Ian F wrote:

I'll probably spring for the pricey one from Griot's. His stuff isn't cheap, but he rarely sells crap so you can usually be confident it will work as advertised.

And if it ever craps out he'll replace it. You pay more but you get customer service that's unreal for it.
Sept. 22, 2011 2:24 p.m. Ian F SuperDork

In reply to pigeon:

The model in question:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/tools/air+tools/12+volt+air+compressor.do

$60... (and shipping is often free) ...for some reason, I thought it was more... and now I feel even dumber for buying that POS cordless model...

You'll need to log in to post.