air compressor portable tire inflation

[akshadow]

I want to buy a good air compressor for tire inflation. most of the ones I have seen don't look like they would stand up to inflating these tires to high pressure for heavey loads. suggestions? brands etc.

ron

 

[GBaines]

In this area you get what you pay for. I use the Oasis system which is very powerful and gives you shop air and runs from our electrical system. The same type of compressor but run fron your engine belt is made by Kilby. Then there are a wide range of sizes of electrical ones. MY use is off road and I prefer the powerful ones. Many are advertized in 4X4 mags, so you can get an idea of the range. Generally electric ones use about the same amount of electricity to do the job, some do it faster others slower. The very cheep ones will not take much wear and tear and some burn out before filling a large tire. Also the pressure you need to pump up your tires is a factor.

 

[btanner]

or get a york. I believe that onboardair.com had brackets for the 24v. It's a lot cheaper than the oasis and it's the same system. Engine driven I think is the way to go if you are trying to fill a lot of tires repeatedly. The oasis is a nice system I just think that it is over priced for what it is



-ben

 

[SRadke]

I've got a Thomas 327 in my air-ride setup. It's set at 150 psi and would do a great job filling tires. It's not a big compressor though, don't get in a hurry or it'll get hot. Heat kills compressors.



-Scott

 

[willyslover]

look at Viair #550 or another brand . . Extream Air

 

[Sticks]

How much money do you have?



If anything, get a 3-5 gallon tank mounted to keep some reserve air. This way the pump is running only to maintain the tank pressure, and makes tire filups much faster, plus the option of running other air tools.

 

[jrobinson2]

The "onboard air" and Kilby systems mentioned above are the same kit, last I saw Kilby was still working on a 3rd gen kit

Kilby Onboard Air

 

[btanner]

yes they are the same kit but you can order just the brackets and get the york from a junkyard for about 50-70 bucks in good working condition you can get them for less but they don't always work well. You can check them but using a 9v battery on the compressor clutch and make sure that it clicks that will ensure the clutch works properly you will probably want to install an inline oiler and possible a inline water filter to keep water out of the tank Definately use a tank didn't even think that someone would use one without a tank. I have a york on my truck and a viair 450 as a backup (I have an air suspension very important to always have a way to air it up as it is my only suspension) but if you are just using it to air up tires I would use an engine driven if they are large tires however my little 450 will air up my 35x12. 5x15s from 8psi to 35psi in about 1. 30 a piece. Not quick but it does the job and that's a lot of air to push. Hope this helps you some



-ben

 

[jrobinson2]

I'm ordering the bracket kit for a 24v today, it is $150. I have salvaged a York AC compressor, air tank, relief valve, air manifold, and misc. connectors and bulkhead fittings from a few old air brake equiped trucks. Hopefully I'll have air in a few weeks For a Dodge you need a RH suction compressor so its on top with the compressor on its side, I got a gasket set for the York at Carquest for a little over $20.

Jared

 

[tgbol]

I have the Onboard Air set up on my truck. It is great. I have a throttle kicker that speeds the engine up when it kicks on. This summer we were working on a car using an air drill and a die grinder and it was able to stay up with it.

 

[RollOver_Pete]

Here's what I use... . and for under $400. 00, you still have money for more goodies Oo.



http://www.awdirect.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=15341



I mounted the pump in my toolbox and mounted the supplied tank plus a spare tank under the tool box. Theres enough volume to run a 3/8 -1/2 impact, blow air filters, pump grease and even fill tires.

 

[BarryG]

I am using the extremeair setup from outback extreme. The kilby setup is nice as well. The Oasis is another great one. Am sure there are more good setups. There are many compressors out there but a lot of them only have a 15-30% duty cycle. Nothing like taking over an hour to fill your tires because you have to let the pump cool several times in the process. I would make sure you get a pump that has 100% duty cycle.

 

[btanner]

no way that electric has enough cfm to run any type of impact. 3. 8 cfm is not enough to run an impact blow air filters and grease gun I'd believe but no way on the impact. Filling tires would probably be similar to using the 50 cent compressor at gas stations since they are similarly sized. Lots of options but make sure you figure out what you really need.



-ben

 

[willyslover]

Ben. . suggest you do your home work before making a statement like that... there are several very good electric ones out there now. .

also remember that an Impact is intermittent use so it uses less air than alot of air tools do and the compressor can easily keep up with it... especially when a reserve tank is used with it.

many 4x4 guys use electric compressors on 35,37,40 "ers on up with great success

both of the brands I mentioned above WILL supply enough air for an impact, also look at the Oasis brand spoken of here. .

 

[btanner]

I did my homework man I have burned up three compressor that are of similar design to the one that was posted. If you have a lug nut that is stubborn in any way shape or form that compressor will not get it off. Last night I was working on my truck with my shop compressor that is 240 with a 40 gallon tank trying to take off some stubborn lug nuts on my dually. My impact went through a lot of air getting those lug nuts loose. The compressor cycled twice during two rims. Granted they were pretty rusted but with a big impact taking off lug nuts there is a lot of cfm used. My impact uses 27cfm at full tilt. Granted that not a usual situation like you suggest, but if you truly are filling up that large of a tire from a wheeling psi (5-8 w/ beedlocks 8-12 w/o) up to normal road pressure (30-45 psi) with an electric compressor it takes a long time and the pumps burn up over time. (the oasis doesn't really count as it is a york driven by a winch motor and draws a lot of amps and it still only produces 8cfm at 100 psi which is working pressure for most air tools) Granted I have a different application so I need more air than most people. I have a viair 450 like I stated above but it takes time to fill up my tires and wasn't really very useful with airtools because you had to wait for it to fill up the tank to really use it. Now it is used solely as a back up in case my engine driven goes out. Not really sure what the application is but for just filling up tires I believe that the electrics will work but they are slow. For air tools I wouldn't go back to waiting for the electric to build enough pressure to actually be able to use the tools. I guess I just don't like waiting and I'm cheap. I paid more for my viair 450 than my entire york setup (I made my own brackets. ) Guess that just shows there are lots of options but I have used both I have both and I much prefer the engine driven due to its ability to produce enough cfm to use air tools effectively.



-ben

 

[Dane]

This is what I use

Cost me $240 Works like a champ on my 305/70/16s I power it with the trailer hitch plug.



#ad

 

[akshadow]

hitch plug amps?

That looks pretty slick, is there any problem with the amount of power that needs to be pulled through the trailer hitch plug? Which set of the wiring harness do you use for the power?

thanks

There sure are a lot of different choices around to this answer. I will go with some type of air I can change from one vehicle to another because I also need to beable to use it in a dune buggy

Cost me $240 Works like a champ on my 305/70/16s I power it with the trailer hitch plug.



#ad

 

[Dane]

Here ya go...

Click here for the compressor



Click here for the 3 gallon tank



Click here for the kit of other parts



Don't forget to add an oiler and filter. Get em from the same web site...



It does look like the prices have gone up since I built mine 2 years ago :{



The 12vdc at the hitch is rated for 40 amps. The comperssor never draws that much.

 

[RollOver_Pete]

Well Ben... Since you seem to know just about everything, maybe I should have saved my money and bought a $. 50 compressor. The truth is, there is a way to make due without spending lotsa money. An efficient air tool, a proper power lead (#2 cable for the less smarter ones) and enough air storage.



Oh. Sorry about the stubborn (lug) nuts... maybe you should do some homework and find something to put on them :-laf

 

[MPlunkett]

I've "heard" that firefighting SCBA cylinders can be used. The newer ones are rated to 4500 psi and the older ones to 2200 psi. One might be able to connect a welding oxygen regulator to this and inflate 4 265 Michelins, a bunch of trailer tires and three other full size vehicles tires from 10 psi to normal in Baja once you get off the beach... ... or so I've heard... ...