Airing up tires

[kneesahn]

What do you guys recommend for airing up tires? The cigarette lighter compressors are way to slow for me. I've borrowed my neighbors 3 gallon compressor which worked well. I just don't want to spend +100$ and have such a large unit just for airing up tires. Any suggestions on something
Thanks

 

[kneesahn]

Would something like this work well, or am I going to need a compressor with a sizeable tank? I don't need something that will top up a tire in a matter of seconds, but the 12v pumps I've used In the past took minutes to add a few psi.


http://www.sears.com/craftsman-120v-port...mp;blockType=G2

 

[mattwithcats]

I like the Slime Comp03 inflator, has a light and moderately fast inflator.
$15, sounds loud and shakes terribly, but it works.

http://www.slime.com/shop/comp03/

If your running nitrogen, another alternative is an air tank.
Fill it up to 90 PSI at a dealer, fill tires at home.
I added a quick disconnect kit and 25 foot hose, total cost was less than $30....

 

[Sam2000]

I read that a compressor compared to an inflator will give you much drier air.

I got the $40 one from Harbor Freight and added an inline filter.

It has come in useful for cleaning around spark plugs, cleaning compounding pads during a detail, dusting laptop keyboards.

 

[eljefino]

Something like this guy with a big pump and small tank would weigh slightly less and still pump up your tires in a hurry. 2 hp is about all you'll get from a wall outlet.

 

[IndyIan]

Hand pump! With a built in gauge. By the time you dig out the compressor, plug it in, you can add a few psi to each of your yaris tires as you check the pressure. Also 10 pumps adds a few psi. You're ford might take 20 depending on your tire size, or maybe none if the pressure hasn't dropped.

 

[LotI]

Get a portable tank like This

I have a 9-gallon one that I've used for racing that's probably 20 years old by now. Befriend the local shop and fill it up and you'll be set for months.

 

[Eddie]

+1 with the portable. Find a gas station who has outside air.

 

[topbliss]

This is what I use. Black & Decker 120v/12v with auto shut off at the setting you want. This is very handy. You set the pressure and walk away . it shuts off at the pressure

http://www.target.com/p/black-decker-air...CFYuXOgodThwAkA

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: Sam2000
I read that a compressor compared to an inflator will give you much drier air.


Blowing down the compressor-fed tank of moisture is the difference; otherwise, they're both compressing air similarly.

 

[Realtech214]

Heres what I use, Very fast and works great
Tire Inflator

 

[Lapham3]

Ranger-I have a 120v Campbell similar to the Sears unit you are looking at-had it for many years and not too large/heavy to deal with. Most of the cheaper 12v units I've had around overheat or otherwise don't last long-good luck. Dan Mpls. Mn.

 

[CHARLIEBRONSON21]

If you have money to blow...

http://bigboysgaragetoys.com/air-compressors/ingersoll-rand-irn10h-150-air-compressor/

 

[hsd]

The problem with 12 volt plug in compressors is the lack of moisture removal. Because it was convenient, I used one for car in storage which got pumped up a 2 - 3 times each year. When I finally replaced the tires they had aprox a pint of water in each one.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I bought this for $25 and it is EXCELLENT!

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-69284-8788.html

5 minutes to inflate a 205/60-16 tire from 5PSI to 44PSI.

Only complaint is no instructions on how to lube it. Just buy a quart of ND 30 and drop a few drops in every 15-20 uses. Some reviews complain about the gauge not working - if you oil it too much, the gauge will stop working until the oil works its way out.

I'll be giving it a real workout this summer during offroading season with reinflating Jeep tires.


If I'm at home (apartment) and have to do more than one tire, I have a small 1.5 (I believe) gallon compressor that I plug into the power inverter and either run off of the engine or a spare car battery. Works better for doing multiple tires.

 

[Rand]

I had the 40$ HF hotdog compressor
it worked fine.. but I had an opportunity to upgrade to a 3-4x faster campbell hausfeld for 79$-40(sold old one) = 40$

I also use mine on registers commercially so a faster one is a plus... although its much louder.

The hf small tank one works well, is nice for dusting out computers and around spark plug, and inflating tires.

If you let it get up a full tank before starting no issues with speed.

something like
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-horsepower-3-gal-100-psi-oilless-air-compressor-69269-8665.html

is around 45$ with their frequent 25% off coupons. And a good deal at that price range. If you want to spend more.. there is better stuff out there.
Its extremely portable which is a big +

if yo prefer the round tank they have those too.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-gallon-100-psi-oilless-pancake-air-compressor-95275.html

both are a deal in the 40$ range I wouldn't personally pay more than 50$ for them.


Final note: these are both 100psi compressors.
if you need to inflate to 60-80psi frequently..
spend more and get a 150psi compressor.

Also make sure you do the no load break-in.

 

[rslifkin]

If I don't need to do it fast, I just use a bike pump and appreciate the arm workout.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I bought a couple HDX 12-Volt Inflator with Warning Light from Home Depot for $3 each few weeks ago. It inflates 4-5 PSI for tire size 215/55-16 fairly fast, less than 2-3 minutes per tire.

Before, when I need to add 5-6 PSI or less to my tires I used bicycle pump. Larger tire needs 15-20 pumps for each PSI. If all 4 tires needs 5-6 PSI I had to pump more than 300 times, that was a pretty good arm workout.

Look for this pump at your local Home Depot, if it doesn't work as you expect then you lost $3 (plus gas to drive to HD and back).
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203416549?s...amp;R=203416549

 

[kneesahn]

Wow, I didn't expect this many responses. I'll look a bit further into all of them. What's the deal with water from some pumps? This is the first I've heard of this. How do I eliminate water from getting into the tires?

 

[DaHen]

I use an "Inline Desiccant Dryer/Filter" from HF. Change it about every couple of years.
http://www.harborfreight.com/inline-desiccant-dryerfilter-68215.html