120vac tire inflation source

[JHZR2]

With the temp swings we get, and since we have a bunch of cars plus snow tires, every so often I have to through an inflation spree.

Often for simplicity I use a manual bike pump as it is the most convenient and endless. I have a 6 or 10 gal air tank which works well, but is heavy and unwieldy, especially given fill-up is down in the basement.

A smaller tank is less air, so I'm thinking an inflation device would be nice. Smaller/lighter than the tank, plus never runs out so long as I have a cord.

Any recommendations? Perhaps a cheap 1-3 gal oilless compressor is best?

Thanks!

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
With the temp swings we get, and since we have a bunch of cars plus snow tires, every so often I have to through an inflation spree.

Often for simplicity I use a manual bike pump as it is the most convenient and endless. I have a 6 or 10 gal air tank which works well, but is heavy and unwieldy, especially given fill-up is down in the basement.

A smaller tank is less air, so I'm thinking an inflation device would be nice. Smaller/lighter than the tank, plus never runs out so long as I have a cord.

Any recommendations? Perhaps a cheap 1-3 gal oilless compressor is best?

Thanks!

Plus good exercise too. If you need to add 2-3 PSI each tire I would just use the manual bike pump.

 

[bigmike]

I got one of these about 14-15 months ago, I believe. It works well for little things like tires, using a brad nailer, etc. I got it for under $100. Since it is on wheels, it's easy to move about and can stand vertically. You can sit on it while you air up tires, which is nice. It gets good reviews on Home Depot's website.

http://www.ryobitools.com/catalog/power_tools/air_tools/YN301PL

 

[ahoier]

Stick with the "manual" pump.

Walmart actually has a nice looking (durable metal, and nylon/rubber hose) stand-up manual pump at my store, and it's only 7-8 bucks......that's CHEAPER than some of the pumps they sell down in the bike department LOL....

And yes, it does have a gauge.

And if I recall, it's even rated at 150+ PSI.....what's the typical car tire? 32 psi? With some low-pros being in the 50+ range?

 

[Astro14]

I would go with the cheap compressor...I've got a 33 gal Craftsman, 5 or 6 HP (I forget...but HP ratings on universal motors are complete garbage anyway...) and it's great for tire inflation, etc. Allows me to keep up with 6+ cars' tires and still run air tools.

 

[exranger06]

I have one of these:

Cost about $50 IIRC. Has a 1 year warranty, and I used it when the first one died after 8 months. The replacement still works fine after 2 years. I'm saving up for a 60 gal Ingersoll Rand though...

 

[justinf89]

I just use my 80gal porter cable with 100' hose. Fills all cars up pretty fast.

Edit: Sorry, you were looking for 120v, mine is 240...

 

[doitmyself]

I'm not understanding the "basement fill up" idea. You have a compressor in the basement where you fill the portable tank? Or, your garage is at "basement level"?

IF you have a basement compressor, would it be feasible to run an air line to a point where you could quick couple a hose outdoors whenever you need it?

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
I'm not understanding the "basement fill up" idea. You have a compressor in the basement where you fill the portable tank? Or, your garage is at "basement level"?

IF you have a basement compressor, would it be feasible to run an air line to a point where you could quick couple a hose outdoors whenever you need it?


We have a true underground basement and where the compressor is installed is the opposite side of the house (shop). Could I move it? I guess but the alternate spot would be a pain.

But that isn't insurmountable. Problem is once outside, the spots and way our cars are parked, let alone the cars in the detached garage would be a pain for running long air lines. The portable tank works decent, but is a bit too big to squeeze between the cars and a fence they are parked along.

At the same time, I have 120v everywhere. Easy to run a short extension cord around stuff and then rehashed and put away. Just the nature of the layout of our garage and parking area. Tough to describe well.

But that's roughly the basis for why I'd like a very small but capable 120v compressor. Something with a gallon or so of storage so I have some buffering at 100psi.

Don't want to run off battery as either it discharges the car or I have to start the engine.

 

[jcwit]

Don't want to run off battery as either it discharges the car or I have to start the engine.

I.ve used the 12 volt compressor for years now, the one I have is a Cambell Haulsfield, works like a charm. Have inflated 15 inch tires from dead flat as many as 2 at a time and never ran my battery down or had to run the engine. Maybe you need a new battery?

 

[JHZR2]

I've not harmed my battery. Just saying. It WILL do it, but an automotive SLI battery is not for discharging to run stuff. Cycles are the difference between a 3yr battery and a 10yr battery...

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I've not harmed my battery. Just saying. It WILL do it, but an automotive SLI battery is not for discharging to run stuff. Cycles are the difference between a 3yr battery and a 10yr battery...


Ya, I know, the last battery I replaced had been in a Dodge Mini van, fully loaded that was 12 years with the orginal battery. I replaced it with the cheapest Walmart battery they had, one step up from a garden tractor battery and used that for 4/5 years till the transmission blew.

You're not going to deep cycle the battery pumping up tires, unless you're inflating semi tires.

 

[bigmike]

It depends on the application. I couldn't even run a dome light on my show truck, but that was due to so much load the stereo and amps were pulling, plus it wasn't driven very often.

I've noticed alot of inflators that work off the battery are slow. This might not be a problem if it's a few PSI or just doing 1 car, but I tend to air up everyone's cars at the same time. A little air compressor is much faster.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: bigmike
It depends on the application. I couldn't even run a dome light on my show truck, but that was due to so much load the stereo and amps were pulling, plus it wasn't driven very often.

I've noticed alot of inflators that work off the battery are slow. This might not be a problem if it's a few PSI or just doing 1 car, but I tend to air up everyone's cars at the same time. A little air compressor is much faster.


Yep, yet another reason.

One of the portable 3gal air compressors that pulls about 3A and makes 100 psi would work I think.

 

[UncleS2]

I bought one of these at HF, after a larger model kept throwing its built-in breaker. Used a coupon from the Sunday paper magazine, got it for ~$40. Add an accessory-kit-on-a-hanger-card for about $15, and you're in business. Great little tire inflator!
Link:

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/o...ssor-95275.html

 

[The_Jeff]

My work has a 120v small tank oiled unit kinda like this one:

OMG look at the obviously photoshopped "Central Pneumatic" logo over the stock photo.

The tank is the size of a large fire extinguisher. I just plug it in near the door then carry the tank out to my car. Has one of those tire chucks with the built in pencil gauge.

The thing only has one akward handle, no wheels, weighs 40 ish pounds and is kinda hard on my back. But other than that it's a great solution.

I'd go with a cheap "full size" 2 hp (whatever) oiled compressor with small tank. If you ever get into air tools you'll be glad you have it... and they don't take that much space.