12v air compressor to top off tires

[terminaldegree]

Hello All,

I know that the little cigarette-lighter powered 12v compressors are generally a joke, but I would like to have one to adjust my tire pressures.

I live in an apartment complex and 110v power is hard to come by outside.

Any particular brands you like, or suggest I avoid? Also, what store did you puchase from?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[kc8adu]

the only one i have owned that lasted more than 5 uses is an interdynamics 250 psi.
its really slow and only good for an emergency.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Consider a Sears cordless air compressor. It costs more than the plug in 12V ones, but has been a time saver for us. It recharges with either 12V or 110V. You can fill/top off an average of 8-12 tires between charges.

 

[andyd]

Iuse my battery charger set on the 12amp rate to power my 12 volt compressor when I cant use it close to a car.

 

[eljefino]

My $10 Campbell Hausfield from Walmart is hangin' tough.

You are correct that most of these are junk. (My CH included)

Would you consider an air tank that you could fill inside or at a gas station with free air?

 

[terminaldegree]

Indeed, I invested $9.97 of my hard-earned dollars for the Campbell Hausfield at WM.

It's slow as molasses. It's loud. But it has kept on working.
Ironically, I had a tire with a nail in it last week, so I've had to use it a lot.

One trick I do is let it run for about 90 seconds max, and then let it cool off for a minute before firing it up again.

I like the air tank idea. Weight and size are constraints, though.