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Old 08-05-2022, 01:41 PM   #1
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Tire Inflator/Air Compressor Recommendation

Hi All!
Looking for a recommended portable air compressor/tire inflator, both for my camper and SUV tires. I want one that will power from both the "cigarette" port in the car, as well as regular plug-in. I want it to inflate fairly quickly, not be too noisy, fill up to 65 psi, have a display, stop inflating at the set psi, not be too heavy, and priced $50-$100.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
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Old 08-05-2022, 01:59 PM   #2
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Typically they are mode for 1 power source or the other not both. You are demanding a lot of features at a low price point. The standard which people generally compare to for portable inflation is Viar. I don't think you can get one of their compressors for $100.

Also if you are plugged in to shore power you could power a 12v inflator from the trailer and the shore power would keep the battery charged.
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Old 08-05-2022, 02:42 PM   #3
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I bought the Viair 450P-RV. Power cord has alligator clips for the battery. Nice unit but not cheap.
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Old 08-05-2022, 02:42 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phreak480 View Post
Typically they are mode for 1 power source or the other not both. You are demanding a lot of features at a low price point. The standard which people generally compare to for portable inflation is Viar. I don't think you can get one of their compressors for $100.

Also if you are plugged in to shore power you could power a 12v inflator from the trailer and the shore power would keep the battery charged.
That’s Viair if you’re doing a search. Let us know if you find something close to your specifications for under $100.
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Old 08-05-2022, 03:54 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Sunseeker16 View Post
I bought the Viair 450P-RV. Power cord has alligator clips for the battery. Nice unit but not cheap.
+1. Viars work great!

Why worry about 120v? You're always going to have 12v on your tow vehicle or camper.
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Old 08-05-2022, 03:56 PM   #6
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borrowed a neighbors and was impressed


20 volt dewalt

attach small hose to tire valve .. no have to hold it

set the pressure you want to inflate to
took about a minute to check each tires pressure and to add 10 pounds
It had a second screen that showed actual pressure of the tire



cost closer to 200.00 with a battery
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-2...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
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Old 08-05-2022, 04:09 PM   #7
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We bought this one and it works well for the truck and van tires on our rigs.
TIREWELL 12V Tire Inflator-Heavy Duty Double Cylinders Direct Drive Metal Pump 150PSI, Compressor with Battery Clamp and 5M Extension Air Hose, SUVs/Trucks/Vans/RVs https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The only thing it won't do is shut off automatically. When it gets to the proper inflation, you turn off the switch.
It's not going to work on a full size motorhome though.

For a longer reach
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

to plug into ac this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
edit....Ooops reversed the links
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Old 08-06-2022, 02:24 PM   #8
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KOBALT from Lowes meets your requirement and works for me.
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Old 08-06-2022, 04:44 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird View Post
We bought this one and it works well for the truck and van tires on our rigs.
TIREWELL 12V Tire Inflator-Heavy Duty Double Cylinders Direct Drive Metal Pump 150PSI, Compressor with Battery Clamp and 5M Extension Air Hose, SUVs/Trucks/Vans/RVs https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The only thing it won't do is shut off automatically. When it gets to the proper inflation, you turn off the switch.
It's not going to work on a full size motorhome though.
……
I’ve been using this same one for 2 years and it’s worked fine for me.
Tops off my truck and trailer tires just fine when needed.
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Old 08-06-2022, 05:00 PM   #10
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If you're using it for your camper and tow vehicle, I wouldn't bother with 120 V. You'll always have 12 V DC available. And if you happen to only have 120 V receptacles in your camper, you can always get a 120 V AC to 12 V DC adapter for cheap on Amazon.


I have this one from Walmart, which has been working quite well for me through several flats.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Slime-Mul...8?athbdg=L1200

If I were traveling somewhere truly remote, I'd either have a backup, or buy something a bit better/more expensive.
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Old 08-06-2022, 05:17 PM   #11
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Nice unit

Quote:
Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird View Post
We bought this one and it works well for the truck and van tires on our rigs.
TIREWELL 12V Tire Inflator-Heavy Duty Double Cylinders Direct Drive Metal Pump 150PSI, Compressor with Battery Clamp and 5M Extension Air Hose, SUVs/Trucks/Vans/RVs https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The only thing it won't do is shut off automatically. When it gets to the proper inflation, you turn off the switch.
It's not going to work on a full size motorhome though.
That's a nice looking unit, and the price isn't bad. Not sure if I would buy an extension cord for it. Instead I would simply add a second curly hose to extend the reach. This one adds 25 feet for $16. I wouldn't use fancy couplersbbb--just permanently thread the two hoses together.

My thinking is that the longer the motor power cord, the harder it is on the motor. Adding air hose avoids this.
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Old 08-06-2022, 05:42 PM   #12
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I would be afraid to run one of those inflators off my cigarette lighter. The only way I would use one is with an adapter straight off the battery with a long air hose NOT power cord.
https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-a...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
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Old 08-06-2022, 05:50 PM   #13
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My thinking is that the longer the motor power cord, the harder it is on the motor. Adding air hose avoids this.
That's true, however we have a kind of unique need to power our tire inflator off ac. The small mh is stored in a garage type enclosure. Running the engine to inflate the tires fills the garage with fumes.
The garage has electric, so hooking the inflator up to an ac to dc converter with a cigarette lighter port allows us to top off the tires without getting overcome with fumes. We could pull the rig out of the garage, but it is a storage lot so sometimes doing that would conflict with others because we'd be blocking about 3/4 of the driveway.
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Old 08-06-2022, 09:51 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird View Post
We bought this one and it works well for the truck and van tires on our rigs.
TIREWELL 12V Tire Inflator-Heavy Duty Double Cylinders Direct Drive Metal Pump 150PSI, Compressor with Battery Clamp and 5M Extension Air Hose, SUVs/Trucks/Vans/RVs https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The only thing it won't do is shut off automatically. When it gets to the proper inflation, you turn off the switch.
It's not going to work on a full size motorhome though.

For a longer reach
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

to plug into ac this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
edit....Ooops reversed the links


I looked at those, but they are only rated to 35psi per the description. Do you use yours to 50/60 psi?
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Old 08-06-2022, 09:55 PM   #15
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I looked at those, but they are only rated to 35psi per the description. Do you use yours to 50/60 psi?


Never mind, that 35psi reference was for a 2 min fill time on small tire
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Old 08-07-2022, 03:59 AM   #16
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Costco has been selling the CAT branded portable power with a air compressor for under $90.00. Handy, compressor works well.
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Old 08-07-2022, 06:46 AM   #17
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I've had the Air Hawk for approx 5 yrs and liked it but just went bad on me. I recently purchased the below air compressor from Amazon and I really like it. Doesn't feel cheap, the display showing psi is nice and I think it goes up to 100-120 psi. Have it under the back seat of my truck. Has been really handy, rechargeable battery and still plugs into the cigarette lighter.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0948WY5YX...t_details&th=1
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Old 08-07-2022, 06:46 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by msveggie View Post
Hi All!
Looking for a recommended portable air compressor/tire inflator, both for my camper and SUV tires. I want one that will power from both the "cigarette" port in the car, as well as regular plug-in. I want it to inflate fairly quickly, not be too noisy, fill up to 65 psi, have a display, stop inflating at the set psi, not be too heavy, and priced $50-$100.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Another Viair recommendtion.
https://www.viaircorp.com/
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Old 08-08-2022, 06:12 AM   #19
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Thanks to all!

Thank you everyone, once again, for your quick suggestions and insights. I appreciate it all.
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Old 08-08-2022, 06:45 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird View Post
That's true, however we have a kind of unique need to power our tire inflator off ac. The small mh is stored in a garage type enclosure. Running the engine to inflate the tires fills the garage with fumes.
The garage has electric, so hooking the inflator up to an ac to dc converter with a cigarette lighter port allows us to top off the tires without getting overcome with fumes. We could pull the rig out of the garage, but it is a storage lot so sometimes doing that would conflict with others because we'd be blocking about 3/4 of the driveway.
Your motorhome when plugged in to 120v power is an AC to DC converter. That's what the power converter in an RV does, and it has the house battery to help it buffer very high amp draws.
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