Portable tire inflator

[aeromech]

Guys,
I just got a call from a good customer with a question. What's a good, portable, possibly battery operated mobile tire inflator to carry on camping trips? He has a Vanagon that's lifted and has big tires. He and his wife aren't spring chickens either so something easy to use that will fill a big tire please. I'm sure that the off road community has things they prefer but I thought I'd ask you guys first.
TIA
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VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
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[Shonandb]

I've been using this one for the last 6 months to pump my tires back up to normal pressures after airing down for FSRs. It's digital and automatically shuts off at the pressure you set it to.

The fill rate for my 29" 225/75/16 Load E Goodyear Wranglers is about 1 psi per 3-4 seconds. I'm sure that there are better ones but this has worked well for our needs so far and I use it at least twice a month without issue.

Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor Car Tire Pump with 3 Nozzle Adaptors and Digital LED Light DC 12V Electric Air Pump for Vehicle Tires and Other Inflatables Red

https://a.co/d/dPXcYcT
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[67rustavenger]

I carry a tire inflator that plugs in to the cigar lighter, it has a long cord so I can reach all four corers if needed.
Have I used it? Not yet but, I still carry it just in case.
My inflator came as part of a roadside emergency kit, likely made in the ROC.

There are plenty if inflators that will work either on battery power or plug-in like mine and the one posted above.
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[aeromech]

Keep the ideas coming guys

One thing I’m concerned about is running off a cigarette lighter plug in. Not sure it would be able to power a compressor off a 15 foot wire. Seems like clipping to the car battery would be best or something self contained like one made by Makita. Downside to that is once you deplete its battery, your done
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[67rustavenger]

[Xevin]

Hey G, I use Viair similar to this model. I don’t think they make my exact one anymore. I have it for 10 years. Nice and compact.

I use battery clamp style. Not comfortable running something like that through the 76 bus cigarette lighter port. My 85 Vanagon and the 76 bus run 14” tires. So no experience with bigger tires. I would tell your friend to buy one from a retailer with a good return policy and give it a try. Take care.


https://viaircorp.com/products/evc88p-digital-portable-compressor
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[Wasted youth]

Slime 40077

Digital setting (set it at 33 and it stops at 33)

$50 at Walmart.

I set up my daughter’s Honda CR-V with an 40077 and I also have Model 40063 for my 1984 Ramcharger. Like any 12 volt affordable & portable compressor, respect the duty cycle. No doubt you can ruin it if you want to pump up a Queen size air mattress.

Four sedan tires from 21/23 psi to 40 psi in under 10 minutes.

The valve stem nozzle is different! Instead of attaching it to the tire valve stem and folding the little handle down to lock it on, you actually attach it to the valve stem and then pull UP the little lock handle.

[SGKent]

Milwaukee M18, especially if they already have any M18 battery tools. I have one and it is really nice. Expensive but outstanding.

Might want to look this over


Link

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[rsbadura]

I‘ve installed an „ARB CKMA12 12V“ compressor inside my bay window for sand deserts and other travel issues - already used at a Sahara trip.

it‘s mounted below the front seats with air tubes to both sides ready to use:
(in the spare wheel compartment - in the picture without seats, 9-seater bus)

the others are compressed air hose, tire inflator with pressure gauge, axe, saw, shovel, radio antennas, ...

regards,
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[richparker]

I carry the Ryobi 18V one that's posted in the YouTube link above on road trips. I make sure I put a charger battery in it before I hit the road. It works just fine for inflating air mattress, bike tires, car tires, etc. it’s compact and light weight.
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[danfromsyr]

same but I carry a dewalt 20v inflater.. plenty of battery for several tire fills, let alone many top offs.

my brother and my mom's van each have the ryobi 18v one..
nice thing about Ryobis is that they have a small socketed 18v charger for the handvacs etc. and we have a small 110v inverter anyways.. so even on long road trips with heavy tire use we can recharge the battery easily.

to note I also on occasion carry a 18v 8in ryobi chainsaw... more for camping in the woods than @ the beach..

lastly to the corded use ones, if the cord comes with the unit it'll be fine.
I've installed a marine external 12v socket at the rear valence.. since the Alternator cable is right there.. a short lead with a 25a inline fuse and I use it to power external lights/chargers.. it's a easy cheap and painless install.
I had/do plan to add a front 12v socket that taps into the constant 12+ of the radiator fan switch. but haven't really needed that yet..

2nd lastly. some have mounted the 12v Vair compressor in the drivers seat battery compartment and then carry a length of coiled air hose vs coiled power cable.

many ways to skin this cat

[airschooled]

My Milwaukee M12 in Buddy can inflate all four tires from 12-15 psi back to road pressures in about half an hour, with enough battery left to do one or two more tires. I have an M18 too but it stays at home for space savings because the M12 is good enough by far.

Coincidentally, I’m driving BigEmma right now and the 12v cigarette socket compressor is so frustrating to use I’ve just been stopping for gas station air every few weeks as the seasons change.

For the San Diego crowd, when the temps drop 30-40 degrees overnight, it’s worth topping up on air to keep the Grabbers from giving early onset tinnitus.

Robbie
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[aeromech]

Thanks everybody. Eric texted me to let me know he ordered a Craftsman from Amazon. I appreciate all the info.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[TomWesty]

[Wildthings]

You can get a combined battery jump start and compressor in the same unit.

[metahacker]

IMO

for casual tire filling, i tried a bunch of them and this one can't be beat.
very high build quality, lithium battery, etc.
just set the psi you want and attach it and let it do it's thing.

https://amzn.to/4mVqK23

for serious (non-portable, installed on the vehicle) use, like airing way down to go off-road and then being able to re-inflate quickly ... there's only one choice .. the ARB (twin or single compressor) units ... or their chinese knock off equivalents .. with a tank .. etc

standard twin piston
https://amzn.to/471onF7

new brushless twin piston
https://amzn.to/4n36hbI

single piston
https://amzn.to/3J5ZNec

for something in between ... 12V cigarette lighter, that new NOCO sure looks interesting
https://amzn.to/3KL2imG

[raygreenwood]