What do you use for a portable tire air compressor?

[bcp]

I picked up several 12v air compressors from minivans with factory air adjustable shocks. Don't use them much but no failures yet.

Bruce

 

[ultrarunner]

My van has a 120v inverter that lets me use a 120 compressor... I use a Thomas that I bought new from Grainger 25 years ago... so far so good.

An air tank also might make sense and much cheaper.

 

[alchemysa]

The tank cost about $40.00 at HF.

I'll second that about the portable tanks. I would never have bought one except the hardware store was trying to get rid of them for about $35. I thought I would probably never use it, but what the heck. Turns out it was one of my better impulse buys. I use it quite a lot. Its only about 7 cu ft but its enough to get a large flat tyre up to service very quickly or fill all the tyres on a ride on mower. Only takes a minute or two to fill and of course is much easier to move than the compressor.

 

[RBA50]

Those Porter cable (and other "Name brand") pancake compressors are identical to the Harbor Freight one that sells for $40-$50 with the coupon. Only differences may be color, and sometimes the knobs on the valves. They also take up a lot of room compared to the little 12v "emergency" compressors, and you will need a serious inverter to run one. They also don't hold enough air to fill a flat car tire without recharging.

I have (or had, haven't seen it in a while) one of the small 12v compressors. It was Coleman branded. It wasn't fast, was second or third hand when I got it, and yes, it would get very hot in use. The last time I used it, it was still pumping fine, but the coupler nozzle was getting worn out and would not stay attached to the valve stem. I've been meaning to try and find a replacement coupler, but haven't really made it a priority. Thing is probably 40 years old, if not more. I got it when Dad died (1996), and he got it when my uncle died several years before that. How long my uncle had it is anybody's guess. New ones probably aren't built anywhere near the same though.

 

[ultrarunner]

My Thomas is similar to this one... mine has more cfm.

Grainger Industrial Supply - MRO Supplies, MRO Equipment, Tools & Solutions

Draws about 4 amps

I bought mine in 1991 and trouble free inside a van that goes from very hot to cold being parked outside...

Here is a smaller and cheaper version...

http://new.grainger.com/product/25F538?cm_sp=HIO-_-HIDP-_-RR_VTV70300505&cm_vc=IDPRRZ13

 

[TedBell]

Newbury, I have a similar HF 12V and it has a fuse. It is something you might check if applicable.

 

[J_J]

I have an Echo back pack air compressor. It has two cyl. One cyl is the engine and the other cyl is the air compressor and works very well.

I primary used it my landscape business years age to trim shrubbery and small limbs up to 1 in, using air powered shears.

I have used it as a paint gun compressor, a staple gun, air shears, and to air up tires.

I also have another unique item. It is a two stroke powered hyd pump for hyd pruners and a hyd blade for tree surgeons.

It is amazing the stuff one can find at flea markets.

 

[94BULLITT]

Would a air tank work for you?

 

[mikegt4]

The next time that your wife sends you to the grocery store stop by the magazine rack and look for custom truck or car magazines. There are a lot of air suspension systems that use on board 12V air compressors, usually far superior to anything that HF sells. Several companies always have multiple full page ads with very good compressors.

 

[stuckmotor]

A bicycle pump. They don't seem to work as well as they did thirty years ago.