12v air compressors/inflators - question

[dutch6]

I am considering a portable 12v air compressor/inflator for the truck (65 psi) and trailer (80 psi) tires. Discounting the cheap (less than $40) ones and unwilling to spring for the $150+ ones, what would you recommend?

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Cheap ones (Under 60) Are just that cheap and in a pinch will do what ya need after a few resets. Basket balls, kick balls, bike tubes. You see every 12V compressor has a duty cycle. This is quite an important piece of information to have when you are sizing your compressor.



I had one of those 100 dollar suitcase jobs that has the compressor, a hose kit, road flares and all the happy help I am stuck crap in it. The first (And last) use it got was when my first chevy (88 Z-71) had a 265/75/16 go out and I swapped in the spare. It was flat soooooo I aired it up BEFORE it was on the truck so it had no weight on it. About 15 minutes in to it the lil compressor started sputtering and skipping and I smelled burnt plastic. Well the suitcase was a molten blob under the truck (Vibration) and the plug cord has started to melt up at the cig lighter connection and was soft enough to stick to the carpet. I Shut it down and saw I had 28 psi in the flippin tire ... . THATS IT! Lesson learned



Many compressors are not meant to run all the time. Some need to have a “rest period” of a certain percentage of operating time to give the unit time to cool down, which you want to have happen, to prevent breakdowns and to prolong the life of your compressor. Many have a protection circuit built in to aid in the prevention of breakdown.



Usually, the duty cycle is expressed as a percentage of a certain time frame, that often being a 10 minute segment. A duty cycle of 50% for a particular brand and model of compressor would mean that this particular unit could run for 20 minutes, and then must have a 20 minute rest period before it kicks in to compress more air.





Take this guy $159. 00 avg price(Viair is an awesome company too)

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Specifications:



12-Volt DC

Duty cycle: 30%

Max working pressure: 150 psi

Amp draw: 18 amps

Dimensions: 19" L x 6" W x 13. 75" H

Fill time: 0 to 145 psi = 4 minutes, 15 seconds. 110 to 145 psi = 1 minute, 15 seconds <--------- 5. 30" JUST TO FILL THE TANK!! Five minutes is allready OVER the 30% duty cycle of the compressor.



Don't forget that samll compressors also put out small volume. Nothing like a home shop or even commercial shop compressor. Some high end units (Under $500) on their best day with a 100% duty cycle put out juuust enough air to inflate a 35" x 12. 5" - 0 to 30 PSI - 11. 40 minutes.



There is a ton of air options out there narrow down what you want to do is the first step. 2nd step is what "Goodies" can you run with it (Horns, Tire inflation, air tools (Needs storage tank), exhaust brake, air starter for kids go cart, air start a camp fire, ) you name it!



3rd Shop, shop, shop look at the trends in the lowrider market and swoop in on their "Old" technology. Their old tech is like God himself reaching down from the heavens with the latest and greatest with bells and whistles compressor cradled in hus palm. Theese guys put compressors through their paces, and with time comes new developments that make them stronger, cooler, lighter and above all big performers.

 

[WDixon27]

uhhhh ya missed the first part of that sentence "Fill time: 0 to 145 psi = 4 minutes, 15 seconds. " "110 to 145 psi = 1 minute, 15 seconds" would appear to be recovery time

Fill time: 0 to 145 psi = 4 minutes, 15 seconds. 110 to 145 psi = 1 minute, 15 seconds <--------- 5. 30" JUST TO FILL THE TANK!! Five minutes is allready OVER the 30% duty cycle of the compressor.

 

[NoSeeUm]

If you need to air your tires back up high to a high enough pressure in order to put some weight on the truck, and you have all day to do so. Then get a cheapo.



Like Tim says, if you shop around, you can get reasonable deals on ViAir systems that include a tank. The compressor I got with my system had a duty cycle of 35% or so. For the few more bucks I kind of wished I had gotten the one with a 100% duty cycle. Typically, I only use my air system to run my exhaust brake and air up my air bags and it is more than sufficient. I use the shop air to air up the tires, that still would do the compressor no good if I had to all 4 in a relatively quick period of time.



Jim