Thinking of Buying Compressor

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Aug 16, 2019
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The new mgr of a local tire place can't seem to put the same PSI in each of my tires and I'm thinking of getting my own 12VDC portable compressor so I can inflate my tires to my desired PSI. I don't know if I want to go back to adding quarters to air machines that may or may not work.

Should I get my own compressor?
Got any suggestions for a good one for
Thanks.
 
Well I have a few suggestions. I usually use the Ryobi 18v tire inflator. Handy to just leave in the trunk. It's just $25. I had the older version that just had an analog gauge which was $20. If you want to just automatically set the pressure, there's one for $50, but it usually goes on sale for about $35 all the time. If you don't have a battery/charger, you can get this 1/2 inch impact wrench to remove lug nuts and use the battery/charger it comes with. It's good for 300 foot pounds. They sell a battery/charger with the auto inflator, but that's $125 with just a 2 amp hour battery and this impact wrench comes with a 4 amp hour battery and is only $109 although it's been on sale in the past for $99.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...-Digital-Gauge-Tool-Only-P737D/307627867

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...flator-Deflator-Tool-Only-P747/308746324

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...-18-Volt-Charger-and-Bag-P1833/302648209
 
Just sayin it takes a real pile of quarters to buy even a small compressor. I just use the small pancake compressor for my nail guns.
 
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If you are not in an apartment get a small 120v model, they work better, last longer and are generally cheaper. If you need portability and plan on using it fairly regularly get one of the rechargeable 18-20 volt inflaters. The 12 v models that plug into a cigar lighter are painfully slow and get very hot. It would take 15-20 min just to add 3 or 4 lbs to 4 tires. The larger 12v models work very well but they need to be attached directly to the battery because of the current they draw which means you need to have the engine running while you use them and a car that you can get to the battery (some hide it under seats and in trunks). I have all 3 types and the 12v is rarely used, I keep it in the truck for topping boat trailer or adding air to tires for heavy loads. What I use the most is the home 120v compressor and a 7 gal portable tank. I pump the tank up to 120 psi and it sits for months sometimes, when I need air I grab it, run out to the car, add air and put it away, Then refill it when I get a chance. Its real convenient at those last min times before work or going out and realize a tire is a bit low. No mess, no noise, no connections (except the tire) and fast.
 
Originally Posted by samven
If you are not in an apartment get a small 120v model, they work better, last longer and are generally cheaper. If you need portability and plan on using it fairly regularly get one of the rechargeable 18-20 volt inflaters. The 12 v models that plug into a cigar lighter are painfully slow and get very hot. It would take 15-20 min just to add 3 or 4 lbs to 4 tires. The larger 12v models work very well but they need to be attached directly to the battery because of the current they draw which means you need to have the engine running while you use them and a car that you can get to the battery (some hide it under seats and in trunks). I have all 3 types and the 12v is rarely used, I keep it in the truck for topping boat trailer or adding air to tires for heavy loads. What I use the most is the home 120v compressor and a 7 gal portable tank. I pump the tank up to 120 psi and it sits for months sometimes, when I need air I grab it, run out to the car, add air and put it away, Then refill it when I get a chance. Its real convenient at those last min times before work or going out and realize a tire is a bit low. No mess, no noise, no connections (except the tire) and fast.


Thanks for all the replies.
The rechargeable one sounds like a good idea.
 
Originally Posted by Wolf359
Well I have a few suggestions. I usually use the Ryobi 18v tire inflator. Handy to just leave in the trunk. It's just $25. I had the older version that just had an analog gauge which was $20. If you want to just automatically set the pressure, there's one for $50, but it usually goes on sale for about $35 all the time. If you don't have a battery/charger, you can get this 1/2 inch impact wrench to remove lug nuts and use the battery/charger it comes with. It's good for 300 foot pounds. They sell a battery/charger with the auto inflator, but that's $125 with just a 2 amp hour battery and this impact wrench comes with a 4 amp hour battery and is only $109 although it's been on sale in the past for $99.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...-Digital-Gauge-Tool-Only-P737D/307627867

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...flator-Deflator-Tool-Only-P747/308746324

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...-18-Volt-Charger-and-Bag-P1833/302648209


That Ryobi 18v for $25 seems like a good idea. Thanks.
 
Originally Posted by Mr_Luke
Originally Posted by Wolf359
Well I have a few suggestions. I usually use the Ryobi 18v tire inflator. Handy to just leave in the trunk. It's just $25. I had the older version that just had an analog gauge which was $20. If you want to just automatically set the pressure, there's one for $50, but it usually goes on sale for about $35 all the time. If you don't have a battery/charger, you can get this 1/2 inch impact wrench to remove lug nuts and use the battery/charger it comes with. It's good for 300 foot pounds. They sell a battery/charger with the auto inflator, but that's $125 with just a 2 amp hour battery and this impact wrench comes with a 4 amp hour battery and is only $109 although it's been on sale in the past for $99.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...-Digital-Gauge-Tool-Only-P737D/307627867

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...flator-Deflator-Tool-Only-P747/308746324

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...-18-Volt-Charger-and-Bag-P1833/302648209


That Ryobi 18v for $25 seems like a good idea. Thanks.


It's probably the best bang for the buck if you already have a Ryobi battery. Usually when I need air, you only get the notice after you drive for a couple minutes so if you have an air tank at home, it doesn't do you any good. I just keep it in the car so whenever I stop, I can just air up the tire instead of waiting to get back home. It's relatively fast too, been using it for the last few years. There's a few places that still do free air, but they usually have a line so it's not worth the wait.
 
Originally Posted by Mr_Luke


That Ryobi 18v for $25 seems like a good idea. Thanks.


Oh, wait, it's $83 with the battery and charger.
So much for that.

Maybe the air pumps that take quarters would be better after all.
Or find a tire shop that doesn't mind checking my PSI once in a while.
 
I like the Cyclone air compressor from Pep Boys. It is $35 on eBay. Note that it is being sold by Pep Boys, so it is legit
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
I like the Cyclone air compressor from Pep Boys. It is $35 on eBay. Note that it is being sold by Pep Boys, so it is legit
smile.gif


Harbor Freight also sells what looks like the same compressor with a few detail changes. I have one and it works well. The only issue I've had is the power cord goes in underneath, so typically the wires are at an acute angle when the pump is in use. Between that and vibration the insulation started cracking where the wiring enters the pump body. I "fixed" this with some black RTV.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-100-psi-high-volume-air-inflator-69284.html
 
That HF looks a lot like my Viair 88P, which is what put an end to my serial cheap inflator purchases and subsequent destruction.

Check the duty cycle of whatever you buy. Small inflators can take 20 min to air up a flat tire... and have a user inforced 5 minute duty cycle.
 
Originally Posted by Saabist
Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
I like the Cyclone air compressor from Pep Boys. It is $35 on eBay. Note that it is being sold by Pep Boys, so it is legit
smile.gif


Harbor Freight also sells what looks like the same compressor with a few detail changes. I have one and it works well. The only issue I've had is the power cord goes in underneath, so typically the wires are at an acute angle when the pump is in use. Between that and vibration the insulation started cracking where the wiring enters the pump body. I "fixed" this with some black RTV.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-100-psi-high-volume-air-inflator-69284.html


It probably is the same compressor, but when I bought mine, HF actually cost more
crazy2.gif
 
Great posts!
I have a small collection of older, moderate-cost ($25 to $35) compressors (12V) that had reasonable reviews at time of purchase (Walmart, Home Depot).
I keep one in every car as a safety precaution. They are used only occasionally - surprisingly most of my on-going problems have been with the plug, cord, and switch - as if sitting in the box somehow degrades them.

For my family's drivers, quick & easy-to-use away from home is important (no battery clips, cheap lever-style hose connect).
Fortunately, we have never had to use them (or the spare tire) in an emergency ourselves, but we have been in settings where a compressor was very handy to help someone else.

My compressors are all light / intermittent duty - wore out one over course of 30 years, and I sometimes run them until they are rather hot, unintentionally. I plan extended errands afterward to recharge the car battery.

Except for one maddeningly slow one, I have been fortunate to get 12V compressors that raise the pressure in my Accord & Odyssey's tires by 1 psi in 12 seconds -> I use a hand-held gauge + counting then hand-gauge again rather than the awful built-in analog gauge. This works well for me on the cars, and is not-too-fast for my bicycle & basketball.

I try to use my compressors exclusively on my tires on warm-ish, low humidity days. If cold weather is coming then I account for 1 psi drop for every 10 deg F ambient drop - this works well for me - tread wear is very even.

Past experience with gas-station hoses (OH, TX, TN) is that they contain A LOT of condensation. I always have blown them out initially, but some just keep blowing water mist into my hand - hard pass on that station.
Gas Station water mist actually caused a problem many years ago in Ohio. In a cold-snap in the fall I pumped-up all tires ~3 psi during the day at about 40 deg F, then it fell well below freezing that night. I discovered one slow leak the next day. Water vapor in the valve froze and opened the valve slightly. Easy to correct, and I learned later this is a common issue / scenario.
 
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