Portable tire inflator/compressor, any worthwhile?

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jdeare

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I just got back from trying to top off my tires. The station near me that had a free hose has stopped putting it out, when I asked why they said people were not putting it back after using it, resulting in it getting run over by cars and breaking. The next closest station charges $1, and when I put in my quarters, it was very obvious that the hose had a leak in it, and it was unable to raise my tire pressure at all. At the next closest station, the machine was out of order.

It seems like this is always happening to me (especially in winter, even though it's not cold right now). So I was wondering if there's some kind of rechargeable compressor that's worthwhile?
 
I bought a decent one with a metal body at harbor height 4 years ago for around 25 and its still working well. A little slow, but works.
 
Not a rechargeable, but there are plenty of those 12V ones that plug into your cigarette lighter socket. I bought a cheap slime one for $15 at Walmart recently. Nothing fancy, but does the job. No complaints really. Granted, it's not as quick as one of those industrial machines, but for topping off, it's fine. I also use it to inflate my bicycles.

Also, don't count on the pressure gauge to be too accurate on these. Better to have a standalone pressure gauge.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Slime-Portable...-Light/14254129
 
I saw that one at Target earlier today. I almost bought it, but I decided I wanted to research first...
 
I bought one at Pep Boys for $20 last month that works fine. We have a free one by us and I'm always the third one waiting.
 
I would go with a AC powered one if you have easy access to power. The 12V ones can only draw so much current from the lighter.

I have been using an AC powered one that probably cost $25 ten years ago.

And I have a much larger two stage compressor.
 
I have a couple of them, old one had a normal dial type gauge which was fine.

The newer one has a digital readout and you just set pressure and walk away.

Have checked the accuracy and it is not more than 1/2 psi out at most.

Mine is an AA branded one so not sure who really makes it.

They are so cheap now that it is worthwhile as a just in case thing to carry in the boot.

The Ford Galaxy for example doesn't have a spare tyre and has a pump and tyre sealant.

I have had a look at one and to be honest I think my two are better!
 
Originally Posted By: bigjl
I have a couple of them, old one had a normal dial type gauge which was fine.

The newer one has a digital readout and you just set pressure and walk away.

Have checked the accuracy and it is not more than 1/2 psi out at most.

Mine is an AA branded one so not sure who really makes it.

They are so cheap now that it is worthwhile as a just in case thing to carry in the boot.

The Ford Galaxy for example doesn't have a spare tyre and has a pump and tyre sealant.

I have had a look at one and to be honest I think my two are better!


Maybe it has a spare TIRE instead!
 
Thanks guys! There are no outside AC outlets on my condo building, which is why I was thinking cordless/rechargeable. If I had a garage I'd definitely have a bigger compressor.

I see Ryobi has one that works with the 18V One Plus system, I already have one of their cordless drills so that may be ideal.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-...51#.UMzmA6Uz1HM

I had to look up what a UK Galaxy was. I guess we don't have a NA equivalent. Luckily my car has a mini-spare... I am not really a fan of the pump & sealant instead of a spare trend. Mainly because every time I've gotten a flat, the tire has been shredded.
 
I have a BIKE NASHBAR bicycle pump in the trunk. I also have a socket pump that came in my emergency pack I got from Walmart. I think the kit was the red bag JUSTIN CASE
 
We've got one of those 12v jump stater packs with a cigarette lighter, flashlight, and an inflator built in. I think it's going on 7 or 8 years old now. We use that as it will power our 12v thermoelectric cooler, let you charge a cell phone and give you a jump in an emergency. When we go on a long road trip it goes in the trunk just in case. I've changed the battery once on it and it's been going good for us.

Might be something to think about.

Another option would be a cheap pancake compressor from Harbor Freight (they usually have one for $40 with coupon). Fill it up in the house and use that to fill the tires. I would think at the 100 PSI of the unit it will be more than enough for 5 tires.
 
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I carry a 12V one on every trip. Use it a lot (most flat tires in a day = 9). I've only worn out one. I think it was a Campbell or something like that, but it had served me well for 10 years or so, probably completely filling 100 tires, plus topping off many others.
Current one has a dial gauge. 5 psi off, but once you know that, no problem.

No, they don't draw too much current. I usually start the engine, but not always.
 
Thanks guys! Lots of options here. Taking a 12V one on a trip does seem like a good idea...
 
I purchased 2 similar to this years ago, "earlier model tho", and they have worked fine for 15 years now when checking my tires and not wishing to start up my large compressor. Couple of times have even gotten me out of a jam with a leaking tire.

At the time I bought them for $10 bucks apiece at a local flea market, I believe they were refurbished.
 
For what it's worth, I have a little shoe box size Black & Decker 120V air pump that I got many years ago. I also have a carry-around compressed air tank (maybe 5 gallons). I usually keep the tank pumped up to about 60 PSI. It's a good enough system to top-up tires and keep the spare inflated.
 
I have a high pressure one from HF that clips onto the battery posts. Avoid the ones that plug into the lighter socket, as they have to be low current to avoid blowing the fuse. The pumps that clip to the battery have a 20amp fuse, lots more power and will inflate a car tire very quickly.
 
Originally Posted By: 2cool
I have a high pressure one from HF that clips onto the battery posts. Avoid the ones that plug into the lighter socket, as they have to be low current to avoid blowing the fuse. The pumps that clip to the battery have a 20amp fuse, lots more power and will inflate a car tire very quickly.

I think you wanted to say high volume rather than high pressure. The high pressure 12 volt compressors (labeled 200+ PSI) I have run across are terrible. Those used a vibrator rather than a rotary motor I think.
 
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