HF air compressor

I've done searching on here..nothing really. Anybody have any experience/opinions on this?

I don't need to air up in 30 seconds..I just need something that will work when I need it. I don't really wanna throw down $250 for a Viar or ARB...I could use the money somewhere else on my truck.

I was gonna hardwire it via relay and a switch, then run a air coupler under frame, out to back of bumper or possibly gas door.


For around $60 out the door..(20% coupon)...not bad..

 

I've had a couple "cheap" compressors, they work fine for a while but as time goes on they will take longer and longer to fill a tire. If used regularly, like weekly fills of bikes, wheelbarrow tires then they'll be shot in a couple years. I once took 15 minutes on the side of a highway filling a spare tire, just trying to get it up to usable pressure. If you rarely use it they're great for emegencies, but for regular usage spend more.

 

i've heard good things about the hardor freight ones

 

Don't mean to be the negative Nancy here, but I've gone through two of those HF air compressors. The first time, it worked at home and so I took it out onto the trail with me. When we went to air up, it worked for a minute then died (would not turn back on even after an hour.)

I took it back and got a new one. This one worked for a few runs and just randomly took a dump after our Mojave run after running for about 2 minutes. Again it would not turn back on. I used it maybe 4 times before this. There's my experience with them. I say save the money and buy something more reliable.

 

Damn too bad, guess ill pick up a used viar off cl and an air tank

 

Mine died after 3 runs on my Jeep last year. Used it to air up after crawling all 3 times then one day it just stopped working and wouldn't start up. On a summer trip it would get hot and shut off but after about 5-10 minute rest it would start back up fine.

 

I have the Harbor Freight one and the Tsunami one... both great and I have posted a lot about them in the past. What do you want to know?

 

Anything??

 

I just wanna know if it works lol! and will last

 

The Tsunami one (#MV-50) seems to be better made, and is just a bit slower than the Harbor Freight one.

The Harbor Freight one was bought way back in 2006... and it still works... Used it dozens of times. However, the fuse holder gets really hot and melts the fuse... doesn't blow usually, but I needed to replace the fuse lots of times as it stopped working after it melts the plastic.

The Tsunami I got a year ago, and it doesn't get near as hot in the cable or fuse.

The speed to fill our tires is 6 psi per minute with the Harbor Freight and 5 psi per minute with the Tsunami. A cigarette lighter connected tire air pump fills at just 2 psi per minute!

So, if you go to 15 psi for sand driving, you take 2.5 minutes with the Harbor Freight to get back to 30 psi... or 3 minutes with the Tsunami... or 7.5 minutes for a cig. lighter pump (I had a Coleman). When you have 4 tires to fill... speed is nice! I prefer 12 minutes over 30 minutes!!!

The Harbor Freight one was $49 when I bought it, on special in '06... the Tsunami one is closer to $75 I think, but that was last year.

 

I have the same exact one you posted a pic of. Only used it like twice.... it works. Noisy as to be expected though. I'll hardwire it in eventually, just need to build a tank.

 

i got this sucker and it works pretty good.

Slime COMP06 Pro Power Heavy-Duty 12-Volt Tire Inflator

http://www.amazon.com/Slime-COMP06-...R0QM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318782263&sr=8-1

i got it cheaper on ebay.

 

That Slime one plugs into a cigarette lighter, so it cannot fill at the rate of the ones that clip directly onto the battery. Better than nothing (or a hand pump)... but for that money, get the Harbor Freight one which pumps 6 psi per minute (vs. 2 psi per min. with a cig. lighter plug in pump).

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/product-reviews/38082-slime-brand-tire-inflator-review.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/product-reviews/98463-slime-compressor-another.html

 

I just ordered a Tsunami off of Amazon, while I won't need to use it too much I do plan on doing some beach driving so it will be nice to have.

 

I have that exact one bought at Harbor Freight........the first one I bought burned out the fuse. At first I thought it would be as easy as putting on another fuse.....not so fast. These air pumps have a special "purple" I think 35 watt fuse that is almost impossible to find. I returned it and picked up another one........works everytime I need it. But I don't abuse it aka take it wheeling with me and try to air up 4 35 inch tires in 2 minutes, it wasnt made for that.

 

Mine had a regular auto 25 watt fuse, I replaced it with 30 watt fuse... doesn't blow them, but melts them and the holder a bit.

You can go from 15 psi to 30 psi in about 2.5 minutes (6 psi per minute in my 32" tires). I use the red one now, the wires don't get as hot, the fuse doesn't blow, and it is just slightly slower at 5 psi per minute.

 

i'm probably just gonna go York lol
my buddys got one in his shop he's gonna toss to me for a 36pack

i'll have full OBA..just gotta find a 2-5gallon tank to throw in the bed.
it'll be enough to run air tools too.

 

I have the tsunami one as well and love it.