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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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This site might help: ( ViAir is rated very good)
Personally, I have used a $300 12V QuickAir compressor for over 15 years, but they are not available anymore, I don't believe.
https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/stories/666-Top-Rated-a...
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bajaric
Senior Nomad
Posts: 682
Registered: 2-2-2015
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Another issue with compressors is the hose. I had a tire puncture, the low air alarm on my 2016 F150 went off (great feature and actually works
unlike tire pressure sensors on other vehicles I have had) so I got it home, grabbed the compressor in the garage. It has an old long orange hose
from Harbor Freight (translation: cheap garbage) and it was kinked and when I straightened it leaked. So then I grabbed the very old cheapo 12 volt I
have, one of those black plastic things, and it did not work either! Went to Home Depot and got a Husky dual 12 volt / 110 volt job, fifty bucks.
Seems pretty sturdy. Also has a nifty digital pressure gage that turns it off when it hits the desired pressure, took 3-4 min to fill a flat 17"
truck tire.
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 704
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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bajaric,
Excellent point on the cheap self-coiling air hoses.
Usually bright yellow, and made of nylon, or other unknown Chinese plastic. They become brittle and are doomed to fail, (probably when you need it
most).
Home Depot sells a repair kit for under $5
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5-Piece-Hose-Repair-Kit-HD...
For my portable Viair 350C and 400P, and for my onboard ARB compressor, I carry backup hoses: 25' Goodyear rubber 1/4" hoses with the appropriate
fittings. Make sure that the air fittings are compatible (industrial vs. automotive type). A "universal" air hose coupler accepts both types of male
fittings.
Unless your pump has a pressure cut-off switch, you will want an "open-flow" air chuck. That prevents excessive back pressure to the pump.
My compressors are equipped with a small Viewtainer with repair parts, fittings, and 40 A fuses.
https://www.viewtainer.com/Viewtainer-Standard-Series-2-6-Co...
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bajaric
Senior Nomad
Posts: 682
Registered: 2-2-2015
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Hi Maderita, this is an old thread but thought I would add a little more with regards to my experiences with cheap air compressors and jump starters
etc. More about jump starters, really. So, first of all, I must say that I am rather frugal when it comes to purchasing things. I get a lot of
stuff for free out of storage auctions and I buy things at yard sales and almost never pay retail for anything if I can avoid it. With that said, a
few years ago I did purchase a new Lithium ion jump starter. That lasted about three years until it started swelling up like a balloon and went
kaput. Then I got a Husky all in one air compressor, jump starter, 110 power supply unit (model PPRH5V)
Sounds great, right, this thing does everything, including charging cell phones via USB. Unfortunately, I think that packing all those features into
one unit resulted in cutting corners on everything. So, the battery is weak, and the inverter only puts out 500 watts. If you try and use it to
power anything that needs more amps than a light bulb it craps out and shows and error message. As far as junp starting, with a fresh charge it
might turn over the engine once before it gives up the ghost and all you hear is that clicking sound.
Instead of one device that tries to do it all I think it is better to have a dedicated air compressor, jump starter, and if needed a power inverter to
convert 12 v to 110. I have been known to throw a car battery in the truck with a set of jumper cables, add a solar charger and an inverter to that
and you are all set.
How is the situation in the Sierra Juarez? Still dicey or have things improved?
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 704
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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Hola bajaric, that's a good question. Things "appear" to be calmer, but that belies what is really going on. I'm not aware of any open cartel turf
battles since it exploded in April-May 2025. The dirt roads continue to be a corridor for drug runners to avoid the highways.
6 weeks ago, my Mexican climber friends were stopped and accosted by several men with "cuernos de chivo" (AK-47), the preferred weapon of the cartels,
and automatic shotguns. That was on the La Rumorosa-Laguna Hanson road, between KM 38 and KM45. (South of the El Topo turnoff at KM 35). The reason is
uncertain, with my friends speculating that they were either protecting a drug shipment or protecting turf from intrusion by other cartels. We had to
return by the same road some hours later, and I must admit that it was nerve-wracking!
Apologies for the off-topic conversation. However, I did air up the tires with my Viar 350C (continuous duty) compressor.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Fuses
I have gotten quite a bit of reliable use out of the Harbor Freight cheapo compressor I bought about five years ago. It uses battery clamps vs the
cigarette lighter plug in, but still manages to burn it's own fuse on a long pumping session.
It may be because I always start my engine while using the compressor and the charging system is burning them up, but I make sure I have a package of
replacement fuses in my glovebox.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65581
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  | I have gotten quite a bit of reliable use out of the Harbor Freight cheapo compressor I bought about five years ago. It uses battery clamps vs the
cigarette lighter plug in, but still manages to burn it's own fuse on a long pumping session.
It may be because I always start my engine while using the compressor and the charging system is burning them up, but I make sure I have a package of
replacement fuses in my glovebox. |
Oh yes, the same thing with mine... When I got the MV-50, no more blown fuses!
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