Using 110 AC Compressor on Road

[Neverhome]

Hello fellow campers,


I have a 2007, 3400RL, towed with a 2010, F350. I have an AC outlet in my basement and carry a Kobalt compressor with me. The compressor is a 120 volt unit, drawing 12 AMPS. If I needed to air up a tire on the road, could I plug it into the basement outlet as long as I keep the truck running? Or do I need to put in a DC to AC converter in the truck?


I have been wondering about this for some time now and appreciate any advice you have to give.

[jeffba]

Do you have an Inverter that takes 12VDC and supplies that outlet with 110AC?

[lashcraft]

I carry an a similar compressor in mine, but can't get it to start without shore power or my generator running. That's in a 2019 3820FK.

[prndl]

Unless you have a converter in the trailer already, that outlet is only active when you are connected to power in a park.
Get a small converter if you need to at HF or get a 12V/120V Husky inflator at HD.
Or start the generator?

[DQDick]

You need an inverter to change 12v to 120 and probably some serious batteries. If I need to do that I fire up my generator and use it for the power.

[Neverhome]

Thanks everyone. I don't know if I have an inverter but from the conscientiousness of the group, it seems I will need to get and inverter and wire it into the truck as the fiver does not have a generator.



Thanks to all.


Neverhome

[AZ Traveler]

You will want an inverter in your trailer vice the truck.

[DQDick]

My generators are protable and ride in the back of the truck so it's no hassle.

[Dusters]

My electronic theory is a bit rusty, but 12 amps might be a heavy load for an incorrect inverter. The wattage would be in the neighborhood of 1440 watts, a bit more than a microwave. Just my 2 Volts worth.

[1retired06]

I have a 2000w inverter mounted on my truck, handy for many things.

[twindman]

Originally Posted by Neverhome

Thanks everyone. I don't know if I have an inverter but from the conscientiousness of the group, it seems I will need to get and inverter and wire it into the truck as the fiver does not have a generator.
Thanks to all.
Neverhome

It would be much cheaper I think to just buy a 12V compressor. Or I had one that is a combo battery jumper/compressor/light that worked, all be it slowly. I actually burned it up because it would shut down to a sort of 'limp mode when hot and that took about 5 minutes when pumping at around 70=80 psi. I thought I would just 'trick' it and would shut it off and just start up again. Well I now have a nice jump starter with no compressor!!!

[Texan]

This would be a good time to buy a cheap inverter generator. I have a Honda 2000 but you could buy a Harbor Freight inverter for less than half the price of a Honda if your primary goal is to have 110 volt for the compressor yet use the HF inverter generator for other things if needed on or off the rv.

[richfaa]

We have a generator in the truck if we would need it. We also have road service which is out first "go to" for on the road problems.

[drjjj]

Even before RVing (which for me started in 2006) I went through several air compressors for 4 wheeling, travel, hunting, etc. You get what you pay for. As far as Sears, Harbor Freight, etc., been there, done that. A few years ago this forum recommended ViAir. I did not buy the most expensive one, but it will air up my G614's to 110 psi faster than any other 12 volt OR 110AC compressor (portable) that I have ever tried, and mine came with enough hose to hook it up to my tow vehicle battery terminals and reach the rear of the trailer. Just my $.02.

[mhs4771]

Just be advised that 12 amps at 120 VAC will be approx 120 amps at 12 VDC.

[BuilderBob]

Y'all just need to get a Viair 400p compressor! hooks up to your battery fill tire up 150lb blow out water lines and all kind of other stuff and you don't need use a jenny. And it doesn't take up a lot of space.

[mazboy]

Builderbob is the answer.
Or, just have a generator.

[Neverhome]

Thanks for all of the info. I have decided to take my 4,000 watt portable genny with me in the truck bed. I am a seasonal camper so it will just be in the bed for the round trip. I stopped taking it after 10 or so years with no power outages at the campground, but last year we had several. As long as it is paid for and a need may arise again, it will solve the problem of an inverter installation.



Neverhome

[bobforest]

I had the same issue. I added a 2000 wat inverter (12 to 110) and then plug in a low amp compressor. Amazon sells them (forgot the brand) and they are rated at 150 Lbs but only has a 1/2 horse motor and draws only 4-5 amps. This runs the compressor just fine off the batteries. I do have a 3500 watt generator/ inverter as a back up, but the inverter does a fine job for a few tires.

[grampachet]

Hers one the handiest gadgets I ever bought and use it for my 12 volt compressor at rear of pickup.

Tow Ready 118019 7-Way Cigarette trailer plug adapter [url]https://www.amazon.com/dp/