Having obtained a pretty decent jump box, I'd like to add a portable compressor to the "carry in case of emergencies" kit. 5 minutes of googlesearch seems to indicate the Viair units are fairly decent.
Any other recommendations? Criteria: should be able to easily inflate an 80 psi truck tire, come with attachments to inflate toys/ balls/ etc, be 12V powered, a long cord &/or hose (so it can reach the back tires of, say, a crew cab dually truck), and let's say, no more than $50.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-69284.html
I have been using this one for 4 years now and using it for airing up and down off road tires and adjusting pressure at track days and auto x days.
We used it on 40 tires airing them up from 9-12lbs to 32-40lbs in one afternoon.
I have also used it to air up trailer tires and tires on my dually to 80lbs.
I got one of the Vair compressors on the recommendation of the forum. It’s good, fast and sturdy. I like that it connects to the battery rather than plugging into an outlet in the car.
BlueInGreen - Jon said:I got one of the Vair compressors on the recommendation of the forum. It’s good, fast and sturdy. I like that it connects to the battery rather than plugging into an outlet in the car.
I like that, too. Especially since half of my vehicles don't have functioning cigarette lighters.
volvoclearinghouse said:BlueInGreen - Jon said:I got one of the Vair compressors on the recommendation of the forum. It’s good, fast and sturdy. I like that it connects to the battery rather than plugging into an outlet in the car.
I like that, too. Especially since half of my vehicles don't have functioning cigarette lighters.
I’m glad I’m not the only one :P
I have a 12V compressor but I have not touched it since I bought this :
I carry a Ryobi 1/2 Gun which is good enough for Lug nuts (although I do torque them afterwards)
I have a few Batteries. You turn it on , set the pressure clip it on, and it stops when it is done.
I go in the shed and pump up the tractor tire and not have to worry about a power source.
nymalo said:I have a 12V compressor but I have not touched it since I bought this :
I carry a Ryobi 1/2 Gun which is good enough for Lug nuts (although I do torque them afterwards)
I have a few Batteries. You turn it on , set the pressure clip it on, and it stops when it is done.
I go in the shed and pump up the tractor tire and not have to worry about a power source.
I have this one as well, I LOVE IT. However, as a portable keep in car option, I don't think it would work as well as the 12v units that connect to your cig lighter or battery.
BlueInGreen - Jon said:volvoclearinghouse said:BlueInGreen - Jon said:I got one of the Vair compressors on the recommendation of the forum. It’s good, fast and sturdy. I like that it connects to the battery rather than plugging into an outlet in the car.
I like that, too. Especially since half of my vehicles don't have functioning cigarette lighters.
I’m glad I’m not the only one :P
I bought the Vair 88p a few months ago. I haven't used it for my truck tires yet but it's faster than any of the other 12v compressors I've had. Quiet too. I don't know about durability yet.
I recommend it.
I've got a Stanley jumper pack/tire inflator that I think was right around $50. Not the fastest thing in the world for inflating tires, but it gets the job done and is multifunctional. Hose is short, but as long as you keep it charged up it reaches wherever you need it to. Has a plug for the cigarette lighter as well as an AC adapter.
I own the second Vlair. I don't think I have used it other than to check and made sure it worked before stowing it in the van. It seems solid. It doesn't buzz and vibrate all around.
With a shelf-full of M12 and M18 tools and batteries already, this might be a good option (if a bit over my budget):
I went with another brand version of the second Vair above. It was recommended by the off road expedition guys for being able to air up 35" tires pretty efficiently it works great
Professor_Brap said:https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-69284.html
I have been using this one for 4 years now and using it for airing up and down off road tires and adjusting pressure at track days and auto x days.
We used it on 40 tires airing them up from 9-12lbs to 32-40lbs in one afternoon.
I have also used it to air up trailer tires and tires on my dually to 80lbs.
I have one of these in each car and a similar one from pep boys which is a little bigger and faster on the jeep. The one in the jeep maybe 15 yrs old and has done plenty of inflating dead tires.
The one from HF has been very good and always worked, a little slow but that's fine. If run for a long time it will melt the hose at the compressor fitting, but the fitting can easily be taken apart, hose trimmed and attached again.
I also keep an adapter with alligator clamps to attach directly to the battery.
I highly recommend the Vair 88 unit you linked above. I've been abusing mine for 7 years now without a hiccup, despite using it in temperatures as cold as -10 F (ice racing) or close to 100 F. I've even used it to rebead a rally tire.
I have a Craftsman 19.2 volt inflator, which is good for adjustments at the autocross, and the ubiquitous Stanley jump pack/compressor. The compressor runs for *a long time* before it shows signs of needing a recharge. It has a cigarette lighter plug, and a USB port.
Professor_Brap said:https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-69284.html
I have been using this one for 4 years now and using it for airing up and down off road tires and adjusting pressure at track days and auto x days.
We used it on 40 tires airing them up from 9-12lbs to 32-40lbs in one afternoon.
I have also used it to air up trailer tires and tires on my dually to 80lbs.
It appears HF has discontinued the 12v compressor I bought about 9 years ago for Jeep use. It's similar to the 150 psi one they have now but heavier duty and at the time the one ALL the Jeep guys used to air up after off-roading. Alligator clips to connect straight to the battery and quieter/faster than the cigarette lighter units.
Is anyone out there using Kensun 12V DC Portable Air Compressor (source)? I have been stunned by its performance & long-lasting work. I searched for it on Amazon but unfortunately, it's not available at this time.
Is there any trusted site where I can order it to my country? And your kind reviews about this air compressor would be of much help to me.
I have the first one linked in the original post. It lives in the back of the Land Cruiser and has no problem filling up the 33 inch tires.
After using various vlair's that belonged to my friends and codriver for years, i would not look at anything else. I've had probably a dozen cheap ones and the direct drive HF one and the Vlair just works like it should.
Now that I've had my Viair 88 for a couple of years, I wouldn't recommend anything else. It's really fast, the challenge when using it is shutting it off before you have the tire way over the pressure you want.
I was thinking about that a couple of days ago as I was preparing to drive home after an autocross. It would take less than 20 seconds to go from 27 pounds to 35 pounds. 225/45-15 tires.
No problem taking my truck tires from 45 to 65 either, I think it's less than two minutes for that.
I loaned it to someone to top off his kart tires. I warned him that it would be a lot faster than expected, but when he returned it he was laughing at how much he overfilled the first tire.
I've got the Viair 88P. Keep it in my camper as an essential tool for ensuring all tires are at proper towing pressure. Also use it as a quick adjustment to the helper air bags in the rear of the truck, kids toys at camp, bikes and such. The pump is great. Quiet, pretty decent flow, bring a large truck tire ( like 33 inch) up from basically flat to full pressure in a min or two, and it has both a long cord and long hose. easily go from front to back of a truck. It's and ideal setup if you take your rig off road in sand and need to air down/ back up.
Buy the compressor with battery clamps to connect directly to the battery, don't waste your money on a cigarette lighter plug unit. Doing so restricts how powerful the pump motor can be, as most cars have a 15amp cig lighter circuit. That means it's likely somewhere around 12amp max draw to avoid blowing the fuse. You want more power than that for large truck tires, or higher pressures..... unless you like waiting forever.
I have a 88p. It works great HOWEVER there are a few things I would change if I was to design one.
1. I would shorten up the air hose to somthing like three feet. And make the power cord longer. Annoying to have to roll both up and if you don't and just toss it in a bag you have a tangled mess later
2. I would ditch the screw on air fitting in favor of a press on and then clamp with a small lever on the top of the fitting. 99 percent of the time this would work fine and is always faster and for us older people with a bit of arthritis in there hands fiddling with the small screw on fitting sucks.
3. Put a heat shield on to the compressor. It will burn you after inflating a tire of you grab it or lean against it. Also it will melt some plastics it gets so hot. You have to wait until it has cooled a bit to store it away it gets so hot.
4. This option they offer: Get the carry/storage bag. The box it comes in is cheep crap that disintegrates after several uses and storage under the jump seat in my truck. With out it the long cable and hose catch and tangle on everything even when rolled up.
The 88p is the best air 12v air pump I have ever had but it could be so much better with just a couple changes.
In reply to dean1484 :
I am happy with the long hose, since I almost never uncoil the power leads. I just hook it up to the battery, leave the pump there, and just have to move around the vehicle with the hose.
Yes, it gets hot, but it cools down pretty quickly, at least for my short uses. I've never really heat soaked it, like airing back up a set of off road tires. I imagine it would really get hot in that case.
For storage, I keep mine in a small storage tote, along with my gauge and some other stuff for taking to grid.
I have two Viairs. One capable of 150 psi that I keep on the motorhome for making tire pressure adjustments and maintaining at 95 psi and a smaller unit I use for cars. The larger one connects directly to the battery via jumper cable type clips the other plugs into the power port. I use the one for the motorhome a lot for making 1 to 5 lbs adjustment and has worked flawlessly for over five years. Reasonably fast and quiet but gets pretty hot during use. It has filled the truck tire from fully flat when I changed out a leaking Schrader valve but takes a while. I think Viair represents good value for quality and money
I've got the Milwaukee. Love it. Expensive, but it was a present, and I've got Milwaukee batteries and chargers already.
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