Portable air compressor for tires

Why not just get a cheap compressor that runs off of the cigarette outlet? I've got an ARB twin on a desertdoesit mount under the passenger seat.

 

I have a cig power compression in all cars for flat tire repair. Each at some 2 lbs - super light and under $50. Would fill a taco tire in some 8 min. Slow but they are Emergency use only.


I have the smittybuilt 12v for trips off road air-down. It is fast. But weighs some 20 lbs. It does fit behind the seat - if you mod the base plate.

 

I prefer having a compressor attach to the battery so I can use it on any vehicle, not just vehicles with inverters.

I've only owned the Viair 300P, and since 2018 I've had 0 issues. I would buy it again.

 

I have the 400p automatic. Filled tires super quick and with the compressor turning off automatically when you release the trigger helps alot with checking tire pressure without walking over to turn off the pump.

 

Maybe this helps? 50% duty cycle (30 on 30 off) on the single and 100% on the double. Would assume that's underload @ the 30psi rated spec. Also it's worth noting the cfm of the unit as well.

 

I have this small compressor. It works but is slow and not very compact.


It's a Mastercraft 1 Gallon unit. Draws 360 watts. I decided to leave that at home though...

I picked up the M18 Inflator 2848. It is much faster and very compact. I can slip it behind the driver's seat on a trip and never know it is there.


Definitely a pricier option but I prefer the complete portability of the unit, it can go with me in any vehicle. It is also super easy to use, it is a set and forget type, it shuts off at a set pressure. One battery will do multiple tires. And carrying a second battery or even a charger to plug into the back is easy enough.

 

300P-RVS
Portable Tire Inflator

 

Go to Walmart. Pick one. But let price be your guide. I've found the sub-$40 ones don't hold up, but you don't have to spend $200. Plus it needs to be small enough to not take up too much space. I have 4 of them that I paid roughly $40-$60 for, one for each vehicle. They have worked well.

I don't see the exact ones I have, but there are many good choices here. Don't overthink it.



12 volt air compressor - Walmart.com

 

Since I have a full set up of Milwaukee tools, I'm carrying the M18 Inflator along with my Milwaukee Chainsaw.

 

My onboard ARB single has been great. Pumps each 33" tire from 18psi to 30psi in 60-70 seconds each tire.

 

I have the HF inflator too and it's been working perfectly well for me. Only minor complaint is that the pressure gauge is a little 'optimistic' so I have to remember to go until it reads about 5psi over my target pressure.

 

I have this one and can confirm it works great with the 120V bed outlet:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-1-Gal-Portable-Electric-Trim-Air-Compressor-D55140/202019874

 

If it's just to pump up tires, I use portable 20 volts. It was a game changer from 12v

 

Adding to the battery platform systems - couple years I got me a Makita 18-volt compressor, DMP180; 2.7 lbs without the battery. It’s small and takes a while to air up tires, but it is super convenient and accurate. When the larger version was released, DMP181, I put it on my Xmas list. They have their idiosyncrasies, but the trade-off is well worth it.

 

I have the viair 450p automatic, 440p, an old masterflow mv50 and the 30-40 buck harbor freight cigarette lighter plug model.

I keep the hf little guy on the truck for emergencies. If I go on a trip where I know I'll be airing down I take one of the viairs along with my 2 tire manifold. The 450p will fill up 2 tires at a time from 18-32psi in under 3 minutes. The 440p will do the same under 2 minutes. The little harbor freighter takes around 10 minutes at 2 tires at a time.

 

This thread is great. To sort of piggyback off of the original poster's inquiry, I'm looking for a compressor to keep in my truck as well. I'm just going to be using it for the normal, weekly check the tires/bring up the pressure a tad and for on the road when I get a flat tire. I don't want something huge...

but durability and funcationality over time, with this light use, is the priority. And I want something that I can run off the battery (but it won't be hardwired).

So out of these VIAIR compressors, which one would you pick and why? The

$103 VIAIR 88P Portable Compressor Kit (12V, 120 Psi, Forup to 33" Tires)

VIAIR 88P, or the

$221 VIAIR 400P - 40043 Portable Compressor Kit. Tire Pump, Truck/SUV Tire Inflator, For Up to 35" Tires

VIAIR 400P...

and also, what is the difference between the two VIAIR 400P compressors shown in the screen shot below from Home Depot's website?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts...

 

Going by picture alone, looks like the price difference is explained by quality of air hose.


As far as 88 vs 400, go with what fits in your truck. I wanted light and compact and don't mind the extra time it takes to air up. I went with the 88 because it fits with the rest of my crap:

 

The 400p is significantly faster. 88p 1.47cfm vs 2.3 cfm for the 400p. It is also larger and heavier.

Your links are for the 400 and 400 automatic. The automatic will shut off between tires which is nice depending on what sort of air chuck you are using. The pressure switch pauses the unit when the air line is pressurized to somewhere between 120-150psi.

 

Oh yeah, thanks for the picture, that's really right sized. and it looks like you have a double cab; I have an access cab so I'm even more "space challenged."

 

Thanks for that - I hadn't noticed the automatic feature. The Home Depot listings made it like those pictures in the kids magazines from years ago (Highlights?) where you had to pick out the 15 differences between the two drawings/pictures... I just wasn't seeing the difference. And as Rock Lobster pointed out, the air hose is different too.

And then there is the space issue.

Thanks for that...