Air Compressor

jackbetsy

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2006
Posts
166
Looking for an air compressor to pump up tires. Anyone know of a heavy-duty compressor that can be plugged into the trailer plug? Or an adapter that would work?
 
I dunno what you mean by trailer plug, but I've carried around the high volume 12 Volt Harbor Freight air compressor for several years. It just clips on the battery terminals. It's worked well for me when the need arose ... @ $50 at Harbor Freight.
 
What do you mean trailer plug?

I use a 12v compressor that must be clipped directly to my truck batteries since the draw is too much for a cigarette lighter-type plug.

I also take along a 110v 100psi 6 gallon pancake compressor that I use to keep the bicycle tires inflated. But since I have a 6500w generator, I can easily use the this compressor plugged into my 110v outlet in my pass-through/basement.

Hopefully this answers your questions.
 
I use a Porter Cable 110v 150# pancake compressor. I plug it in to the outside plug-in or the plug-in in the basement and air up everything including my G614's to 110#. If need be either of my Honda generators will also power it.
 
I bought a harbor freight 12 volt compressor before we went on our Yellowstone/Glacier National Park vacation. It is rated for 150 psi and seems to have a decent flow rate for a small compressor. http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-150-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-69285.html It worked well for topping off the trailer tires and also for the truck. It will shut down on thermal overload if you use it to long. I pumped up five trailer tires from 90 psi to 110 psi and on the last tire it cut out. I waited the recommended time and finished up. The cord and hose were long enough to reach from the battery compartment on our trailer to the tires including the spare. If you have a trailer longer than 3100RL you might need to make an extension for the 12 volt cord. I was happy with paying in the $50 range for it. I also looked at the Viair compressor for the equivalent to the HF but couldn't justify paying in the $100 range for the compressor. The HF also came with a nice case that you actually could use after you used the compressor the first time.
 
I've got the same unit as bobcat92 and have had no problems with it. Mine came in a carrying case and several stems for different usage and I keep it in the front compartment where the battery is at for even easier access to if needed and easy clip on to the battery! Works great for me!
 
Yup, me too on the Harbor Freight compressor. Just used it the other day at the campground pumping up the spare. It works as others have stated but it is V E R Y slow. It's fine as long as you're not in a hurry.
 
I have found few 12V compressors that can handle the 80 and above PSI range. I carry a Campbell-Hausfeld 110 compressor from Lowes which does the trick quickly. I have an inverter which will power that compressor off the battery of the fiver or truck if power not available.
 
quote:Originally posted by DQDick

I use a Porter Cable 110v 150# pancake compressor. I plug it in to the outside plug-in or the plug-in in the basement and air up everything including my G614's to 110#. If need be either of my Honda generators will also power it.

We have the same compressor. I keep it in the generator compartment since we don't carry one.
 
I'm talking about the 7 point trailer harness plug on my truck. Looking for a heavy duty 12v compressor. I have 110v but sometimes we don't carry the generator.
 
I'd venture to guess you'd need to fab your own special custom pigtail off the correct terminals of a 7 pin plug to do what you're asking. Probably the charge wire as the light and signal wires are pretty small gauge. Most high volume/pressure 12V compressors pull right at 30 amps thus the short alligator clips direct to the battery terminals. You could run a heavy gauge wire to the back of your truck fused directly off the battery, then some 2 pronged connector from say Radio Shack mounted near the tail gate. As previously mentioned ... many of us with 12V compressors just go with the battery terminals as they are easily accessed.
 
I carry a tank of nitrogen that I set the regulator to 120PSI. Pumping up tires is fast. I use it on the TV tires and the air suspension, the 5er tires and the DW's Fusion. Cost is about $20 to refill once a year.
 

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