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Old 01-11-2012, 01:07 PM   #1
snfexpress
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Recommended air compressor?

We previously had a 110 volt air compressor that went bad. Now we are in the market for a, preferably, 12 volt compressor that can inflate our G-rated trailer tires to 105 psi.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,
 
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Old 01-11-2012, 01:51 PM   #2
bncinwv
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In years past, I would have recommended a Harbor Freight model that ran about $50. Since I now have two of them in complete failure mode on the workbench, I will offer the advice of DON'T. Let me know what you get, I am looking also. DW got me a small Kobalt from LOWE's for Christmas, but since it took a couple of minutes to raise her Suburban tires from 29 to 32 psi, I am not optimistic that it will handle the 614's. The key indicator that I have been researching is the CFM delivery. The Kobalt is about 0.4 CFM, I think we need to be at least 1.5 CFM to handle the higher pressures and sizes of the rig tires. I remember a Viair or similar that was highly touted in the past, expensive, but it is good from what I remember. Good luck in your search, all I got was frustrated, but I will not go the Harbor Freight route again.
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Old 01-11-2012, 02:09 PM   #3
H. John Kohl
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Michael,
I have been looking at them. I have the Harbor Freight and it took about 45 mins with pump cool down to fill each trailer tire from 65 to 80 pounds.
I guess I would go with dual viair corp compressors and a 5 pound tank. Of course if you go this way you might as well install a good high pressure air horn too.
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Old 01-11-2012, 03:03 PM   #4
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Problem is when you start looking at ones like this http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...mpressor/34934 that might do the job, we're talking about a lot of money if it doesn't.
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Old 01-11-2012, 03:40 PM   #5
BB_TX
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I am not sure any cheap one is worth buying. I bought one from Walmart. Lasted thru 3 tires before it died. And that was just topping them off. Took it back.

Bought a "better" one from O'Reilly Auto Parts for about $60. Took about an hour to get my truck tire up enough to get to a tire store to have a nail removed. And that was going from around 25# up to about 50#. But at least it still runs. And I carry it just in case.

Bought a 120 vac 3 gallon pancake compressor from HF for $39.99. Figured I couldn't go too wrong at that price. It works great for topping off the tires when needed. Bought a second one for some acreage I own for airing the tractor tires.
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Old 01-11-2012, 03:50 PM   #6
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I bought a Slime brand "heavy duty tire inflator", about $60 from O'Reillys Auto. It's rated to 150 psi. Not the fastest, but it has done a decent job on my 80 psi tires.
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Old 01-11-2012, 04:18 PM   #7
bigmurf
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A small tank (40cf) of Nitrogen.
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Old 01-11-2012, 05:27 PM   #8
08UltraRider
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I have a VIAIR that works up to 150lbs. Cigarette lighter plug is too light to handle the amps this thing draws so it comes with alligator clamps instead. The inline air guage isn't too accuarate though... (out by 10 pounds)

http://www.viaircorp.com/OffRoad/400P-A.html
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Old 01-12-2012, 02:25 AM   #9
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Viair 450-C, I went through 3 Harbor freight knock-offs... back to the Viair John is spot on, get the tank as well. I mounted mine on my truck. I got the 2.5 gallon tank, fits right next to the frame.
Continuous duty, 120# max, notice the fill rate and times. The air tank is really nice.
Buy the pressure switch to match your output needs. Hard wire the compressor, she pulls some respectable amps.
This is the compressor choice for the rock crawler guys that air up and air down all the time. Also the low riders and the suspension jumper cars use them.

All of that said, I would buy a CO2 air tank and regulator, much faster, quiet, more powerful and very little install. We were with 2 Jeeps when we were off-roading, I used my CO2 tank, when airing up, Sue and I had sandwiches after we aired up, the Jeep guys were still airing tires.
I have a kit for sale... I carry 3 kits with me, 3 tanks, 3 regulators and hoses.





http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/45050-ig-compressor-viar.html?gclid=CJOVltHVyq0CFQhjhwod111Yjw

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/...-air-tank.html
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Old 01-12-2012, 02:56 AM   #10
Illini Trekker
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Take a look at Black & Decker ASI300 Air Station Inflator. I don't have the Goodyear tires but the air bag on the trail needs 125psi to inflate. It has a dial that will turn the pump off at the psi you set it at. It will run off 12 volt or 110. Picked it up at Home Depot.
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Old 01-12-2012, 05:09 AM   #11
Tom S.
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One of these:



Plus two of these:



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Old 01-12-2012, 05:34 AM   #12
bncinwv
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Good one Tom, you should get the creative posting award for 2012 and it is not even two weeks old yet!!!!!
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Old 01-12-2012, 05:09 PM   #13
CBTraveler
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I have had a ViAir for 5 years and am very satisfied with it. It's well made and has a lot of hours on it pumping up two motorized vehicles and 3 trailers.
It draws about 20 amps so I use a 10 gage custom made power cord wired through 75 amp Anderson connectors directly to the vehicle battery.
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Old 01-13-2012, 02:32 AM   #14
nowinter
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Very satisfied with my ViAir. Expensive but I got tired of packing my 120 volt compressor plus a smaller 12 volt compressor.
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Old 01-13-2012, 05:54 AM   #15
snfexpress
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Thanks for all the responses.

Ozz, do you get the CO2 tank filled at a welding supply store? Would it inflate my trailer tires from say 95 to 105 (all 4) without running out?
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Old 01-13-2012, 06:17 AM   #16
Ozz
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Yes on the welding supply co. We got one filled at Lake Havasu at a welding gas supply for $7.00, and over in Phoenix for under $14.00 it varies.
One of my tanks will fill a 15# low tire on a 16" wheel around 50 times. It will do it quietly in 20 seconds.
It is amazing what capacity they have.
You can attach an air nozzle and clean the parking lot also, the gage set is adjustable for a variety of uses.
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Old 01-15-2012, 02:34 AM   #17
simonsrf
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Michael,
As per Ozz's recommendation about 5 years ago, I bought this Viar 300 P. It has worked flawlessly, pumps the tires up quickly....I have used it religiously without any problems. The only complaint I have is the case it came in...wore that out...and replaced it with a small ice cooler from Target.

LINK
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Old 01-26-2012, 01:53 PM   #18
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I have the air lift from camping world and it works great. I have had it for over three years and used it on a number of occaisions not only on my rig but others as well. Pricey but to me worth the cost.
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Old 01-26-2012, 04:22 PM   #19
sunshineduo
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We got one like this only red.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=972786_0_0_
It only goes to 100 psi so is probably too small for what you need, but I found that it works just fine on a 400 Watt inverter from the truck. It's not to loud. I suppose if I had it to do over I'd go with a 2 gal. model and save a little time when airing tings up. Still, for the money it works fine.
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Old 01-28-2012, 05:43 PM   #20
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This has been studied some on other forums. Q Industries makes several of the highest rated (best value) 12v compressors around. I have their MV50 and their MV90. The MV90 draws 40 amps and competes very successfully with the Viair unit for about 1/2 the cost. I mounted Marinco ConectPro 12v connectors to brakets I had made and wired the connectors to the batteries using 4 gauge wire thru a fuse. This is one of my favorite mods. I use the system for my compressor to top off the tires, for my Flojet Mascerator and to air up my levelairs to level side to side. Here's a few pics of the brakets and connectors.
http://www.allthingsjeep.com/q-indus...googleproducts



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