BajaNomad

air compressor for tires

SFandH - 4-13-2016 at 12:51 PM

I know there are nomads who are experts at inflating tires so I thought I'd ask before I go and buy a 12V air compressor. Any favorites? Anything I should watch out for? I won't be using it much but of course I want it to work when needed.

In addition to my F-250 I have a house trailer that needs 50 psi, I think, not sure.

I prefer just to go to Autozone or another auto parts store in San Diego over ordering one via the Internet.

Thanks in advance.

David K - 4-13-2016 at 01:06 PM

Only get one that clips onto the battery not plugs into cig. lighter.

willardguy - 4-13-2016 at 01:15 PM

get what ever one Harald recommends!:yes:

Udo - 4-13-2016 at 01:26 PM

Get the one from Harbor Freight that costs about $70.00. It inflates a flat tire to 40 PSI in about 6 minutes.
It is model number 69285

Fatboy - 4-13-2016 at 01:31 PM

Yes, battery clip version, not cig like David says and....
Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
get what ever one Harald recommends!:yes:


If not that then ....

O'Reilly and probably Autozone stock the MV-50 for about $60. Perfect? Very best? No but is probably the best choice under $75 out there. Pretty reliable, plenty of pressure, pretty quick.

They do have a couple of weak spots as does everything else.

The MV-50's last me about 5 years each, probably airing up 150 plus tires during that time. Where the cheap cig lighter version last me about 10 to 20 air ups before failing.

Hmmmm.... I sure do seem to air up a lot of tires.....? :lol:

I also spend a lot of time on rough rocky dirt roads.


motoged - 4-13-2016 at 01:31 PM

...and currently on sale....

http://www.harborfreight.com/12volt-150-psi-compact-air-compressor-69285.html

MMc - 4-13-2016 at 01:38 PM

I am very happy with my Viare. I believe you get what you pay for. http://www.viaircorp.com/

Bob and Susan - 4-13-2016 at 01:55 PM

"real truck" tires likean f250 take 70 pounds to fill...

trailer tires 60-65 pounds

car tires are 36-40 pounds

4x4abc - 4-13-2016 at 02:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
get what ever one Harald recommends!:yes:


your endorsement means the world to me - thank you!

Bajaboy - 4-13-2016 at 02:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Only get one that clips onto the battery not plugs into cig. lighter.


My Quick Air that plugs into my lighter is on it's third Tacoma. You do get what you pay for.

StuckSucks - 4-13-2016 at 03:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
I am very happy with my Viare. I believe you get what you pay for. http://www.viaircorp.com/


Yes and yes. It costs a little more, but really throws a lot of air VERY FAST into a 33" tire.

tripledigitken - 4-13-2016 at 03:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks  
Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
I am very happy with my Viare. I believe you get what you pay for. http://www.viaircorp.com/


Yes and yes. It costs a little more, but really throws a lot of air VERY FAST into a 33" tire.


SS,

Which model do you have?

Thanks

MMc - 4-13-2016 at 04:11 PM

I have a 300p for a bunch of years. I mostly air up with it take about 15 to 20 mins to do most times. YMMV.

StuckSucks - 4-13-2016 at 04:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken  

SS,

Which model do you have?

Thanks


I also have the VIAIR 300P. I need to time it the next time I fill tires (likely this weekend), but I'd swear I can go from 15psi to 35 in just a couple minutes.

StuckSucks - 4-13-2016 at 04:24 PM

300P Air Compressor Specifications

- Motor voltage - 12 volt
- Motor type - Permanent magnetic
- Max. duty cycle: 33% @ 100 PSI
- Max. working pressure - 150 PSI
- Max. Amp draw - 28 Amps
- Continuous use @ 72°F & 30 PSI - 40 min
- Max. ambient temperature - 158°F
- Min. ambient temperature - -40°F
- CFM @ 0 PSI - 2.40
- Fuse - 40 Amps
- Inline pressure gauge - 100 PSI
- Auto. Reset thermal protection - Yes
- Dimensions - 9.80"L x 4.90"W x 7.50"H
- Net weight - 8.60 lbs

woody with a view - 4-13-2016 at 04:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Fatboy  
Yes, battery clip version, not cig like David says and....



Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
get what ever one Harald recommends!:yes:


If not that then ....

O'Reilly and probably Autozone stock the MV-50 for about $60. Perfect? Very best? No but is probably the best choice under $75 out there. Pretty reliable, plenty of pressure, pretty quick.

They do have a couple of weak spots as does everything else.

The MV-50's last me about 5 years each, probably airing up 150 plus tires during that time. Where the cheap cig lighter version last me about 10 to 20 air ups before failing.

Hmmmm.... I sure do seem to air up a lot of tires.....? :lol:

I also spend a lot of time on rough rocky dirt roads.


Here's the write up. might as well be familiar with the procedure on repairing the weak link.
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=59459#pid7486...

I support the Viair compressor

John M - 4-14-2016 at 04:57 AM

I have the Viair 400p

My suggestion is to get a second air hose (even a Harbor Freight cheapie) - there is an rubber o-ring on the air line where it connects to the compressor - mine split making for a troublesome repair. I think we simply ran it too long without letting the hose connection area cool a bit, airing up several vehicles one right after the other. Viair sent me a new hose after a single call to them.

Had it nine years and it's still pumping out air just fine.

John M

BooJumMan - 4-14-2016 at 07:00 AM

Ha, we have these threads quite a bit!

I'm usually not very strongly opinionated and usually agree with people most the time, but I REALLY think the ViAir's are overpriced.

I hard mounted an MV-50 in my engine bay for 10 years and it lasted until I took it out when I sold the car. Tried pumping my tires up in sand, and it sucked in sand and finally quit. Bought another one last year and use it 10-20 times a year. They are $75ish from Pepboys/O'Reilly/Amazon.

Either way, if you buy a ViAir, I'm sure you'll be stoked with it, but the MV-50's work extremely well and are a fraction of the price.

Bajavanadu - 4-14-2016 at 07:04 AM

I have this one
http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2781-5-65-Universal-Compres...

It is exceptional

Hook - 4-14-2016 at 09:16 AM

What does a "33% duty cycle" mean in practical application?

Fatboy - 4-14-2016 at 09:24 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
What does a "33% duty cycle" mean in practical application?


When used on 3 wheelers, only air up 1 tire. :)

woody with a view - 4-14-2016 at 11:43 AM

Use for three minutes and let cool for six?

JZ - 4-14-2016 at 05:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
I know there are nomads who are experts at inflating tires so I thought I'd ask before I go and buy a 12V air compressor. Any favorites? Anything I should watch out for? I won't be using it much but of course I want it to work when needed.

In addition to my F-250 I have a house trailer that needs 50 psi, I think, not sure.

I prefer just to go to Autozone or another auto parts store in San Diego over ordering one via the Internet.

Thanks in advance.


Here you go. Thank me later. $79 vs $230 at Autozone. Goes up to 120 psi. I've go one for my truck.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200442866_200...

woody with a view - 4-14-2016 at 05:58 PM

Ah, the MV-50....

dizzyspots - 4-14-2016 at 06:29 PM

ditto for the mv 50 at that price buy two...one for the rear pair and one for the front...still way cheaper than a viair..

mtgoat666 - 4-14-2016 at 06:51 PM

You get what you pay for, especially so with tools. The cheaply made in China stuff is cheaply made stuff from China, 'nuff said.

Buy American!

tripledigitken - 4-14-2016 at 07:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
What does a "33% duty cycle" mean in practical application?



According to Viaircorp 20% on 40% cooldown.

[Edited on 4-15-2016 by tripledigitken]

monoloco - 4-14-2016 at 11:21 PM

I have an MV-50 and it's pretty worthless for airing up my f-350. It takes at least 15 minutes per tire to go from 25psi to 40psi and another 15 minutes to get it from 40-50. Also gets hotter than a firecracker. Would probably be OK for a smaller vehicle, but full sized truck tires require something with a greater volume.

Santiago - 4-15-2016 at 05:54 AM

I have the Viair for 10 years as well and am happy with it. However, you can get a small 110V compressor for next to nothing on Craig's List and run it on a 200 watt invertor. This will air even faster and have additional uses.

PaulW - 4-15-2016 at 07:52 AM

I used the Harbor freight one mentioned above for 2 years for every off road trip and it worked just fine. It took about 10% longer to air my tires compared to a York conversion my buddy uses. We both have 12.5x15 tires and we inflate from 14 to 32 after each off road trip.
Any way I moved on to other solutions and have other rigs. One has an expensive Viair set up and the another has a powertank CO2 setup and another rig has a DIY CO2 setup I patched together with a weld shop tank and a web sourced regulator. All the stuff I use now is a bit faster than the HF unit. Pros an cons for each setup.
Bottom line for that occasional use for airing up after using your plug kit for a leak it will be hard to beat the HF unit.

willardguy - 4-15-2016 at 08:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Quote: Originally posted by Santiago  

you can get a small 110V compressor for next to nothing on Craig's List and run it on a 200 watt invertor. This will air even faster and have additional uses.


Hmmm, there's an idea. More power for a given number of amps. Right? I have 110 available. Is it clearly a better way to go?


200 watt inverter? thats gotta be one really small 120 volt compressor!

unbob - 4-15-2016 at 08:49 AM

Another vote for VIAIR. I purchased the '400p-rv Automatic Portable Air Compressor Kit' in Oct 2010 for my 1-ton Dodge truck with commercial truck tires (245/70R19.5). My tires have max 120psi and the VIAIR unit has never failed me. Expensive? Yes. But it does the job quickly and reliably - very satisfied. Currently 78% 5-star customer rating on Amazon.

On the other hand, if your tires only hold 35psi - then go with an el cheapo model.

[Edited on 4-15-2016 by unbob]

[Edited on 4-15-2016 by unbob]

SFandH - 4-15-2016 at 08:50 AM

Good catch, 200 watts at 120 volts is less than 2 amps. I have a 1000 watt inverter.

monoloco - 4-15-2016 at 11:17 AM

These are great little compressors, I use one all the time with my nail guns, super quiet and compact. If you travel with a generator or have an inverter on board these are magnitudes better than the cheap Chinese Harbor Freight ones. They require 5 amps so a 500 watt inverter would probably handle it no problem.
http://www.amazon.com/Senco-PC1010-1-Horsepower-1-Gallon-Com...

Hook - 4-15-2016 at 12:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by monoloco  
I have an MV-50 and it's pretty worthless for airing up my f-350. It takes at least 15 minutes per tire to go from 25psi to 40psi and another 15 minutes to get it from 40-50. Also gets hotter than a firecracker. Would probably be OK for a smaller vehicle, but full sized truck tires require something with a greater volume.


Boy, and how. If you have to inflate to anything over 50, these just dont cut it. Too slow.

With the camper on, I am going from sometimes as low as 30 on dirt, up to 80 on the pavement. It can take a long time.........and the ambient temp better be below 80F, or this thing aint gonna last.

totalimpact - 4-15-2016 at 12:12 PM

With a big rig like that you will want to run higher pressures, and 90% of these compressors will really be struggling by the time you get to the 4th tire.

You might try the MF1089, it is the next model up from the MV50, and has more output than any of the Viairs. I have a hard time paying $200+ for a viair when $150 will buy a stronger pump. I suggest replacing the wire on these pumps with #10, the #14 they come with overheats.

If you have room on your rig, you might consider a small air tank and have it pre-filled at home, I re-purposed a ~5 gal helium tank with a schrader valve and air hose on it filled to 140psi, along with the 12v compressor. The tank will just barely bring 4 tires from 25 up to 35~40 psi depending on temp - hopefully that would get you to a real compressor in a pinch - dont drive fast with a trailer on 40psi.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/361527190174

The ultimate is CO2, as you can fill a small tank to 3000psi, there is no cool down times, and it will run air tools as well. You could probably fill 4 big tires 3-4 times on a tank. This is an ongoing expense to get it filled, so it may not be worth it to you.

If your trailer has a generator its hard to beat a 110v compressor and 25' hose. I'm sure it would cost way less and have much higher capacity... the inverter deal is pretty iffy, personally wouldnt want to rely on one, unless it was high end.

[Edited on 4-15-2016 by totalimpact]

MMc - 4-15-2016 at 12:18 PM

Ultimately you will live by your choice. It's one thing to discuss, it here it's another when you are all alone in the middle of Baja.

woody with a view - 4-15-2016 at 07:10 PM

Primary=CO2 tank. Secondary=MV-50.

Santiago - 4-15-2016 at 07:48 PM

Alright already - 2000.

TLBaja79 - 4-16-2016 at 07:47 AM

http://www.viaircorp.com/

These work pretty darn good. Contact them to figure out exactly which one you need. Not the cheapest but high quality.