Portable Air Compressor

hobopals · October 21, 2016

Any opinions as to the best 30 amp/12 volt portable air compressor under $175? I had one with my previous trailer. I can'5 rememberthe make and model. It was loud and took a while but I could do my truck and trailer all in one sitting. Unfortunately, It went with the trailer.

I have two others, but on my recent trip to Colorado, one working on 30 amp the other on 12 volt, both started to smoke after a few moments. Thanks in advance for any input.

reed and elaine · October 21, 2016

We have been quite satisfied with the small one we got from Sears. However, it is to big for the used Roadtrek we used to go through Newfoundland and Labrador, so we bought one of the small 12 V systems. We never used it; however, we spent the night at a New York State rest stop (on the toll road New York Turnpike) and a guy saw me checking oil, water, etc at around 6:45 am and he asked if I had a compressor since he found his spare was flat (he knew of a tire shop about 8 miles away). I had never use this compressor and it filled the tire of his small van to 60# in only a few minutes. It might take quite a while to fill a 5th wheel tire to 80# but it seems sufficient for the Roadtrek

dartmouth01 · October 21, 2016

Are you looking for a compressor with an air tank or just a tire inflator? If jusg a tire inflator, I have a Viair 88p, excellent reviews and viair is well regarded in the 4x4 community. Pumps up to my necessary 80 psi quickly and without much noise. Requires being attached directly to the battery. I also have a smaller viair for backup that plugs into the 12v accy socket and is still pretty powerful.

I am on the hunt for a small efficient tank compressor tho as well, either 12v or 120v, since I find myself needing/wanting to use compressed air quite often..... the 88p doesnt have a pressure trigger otherwise I would use that.

jc2 · October 21, 2016

These Viair 12v compressors are reportedly one of the best/ most durable ones you can have and take up very little space.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=viair+compressor&form=PRUSEN&pc=EUPP_&mkt=en-us&httpsmsn=1&refig=6e5afb669cce4f2a9e67c2a7ec29c21a&qs=OS&pq=viar+com&sc=6-8&sp=1&cvid=6e5afb669cce4f2a9e67c2a7ec29c21a

kayakbob · October 21, 2016

The newer 110 volt rotary pancake compressors are less than $100 and will run on a pretty small 12 volt dash invertor . Bought mine at Lowes for $80 and got a brad nailer in same box .

hemsteadc · October 21, 2016

If you want to consider the 120v units, my Rolair is really nice. Much less noise than the usual pancake units. Sits in my basement with a 50' hose.

Lou Schneider · October 21, 2016

Harbor Freight has a decent Vair clone ... not quite as capable but also not quite as expensive.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12volt-150-psi-compact-air-compressor-69285.html

ms60ocb · October 22, 2016

What is the needed pressure 80,100 or 125 PSI.

What ever I found for 12V DC seemed to be 80# for less.

Clay

Ray,IN · October 22, 2016

Harbor Freight has a decent Vair clone ... not quite as capable but also not quite as expensive.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12volt-150-psi-compact-air-compressor-69285.html

I have one of those units and it has served me well for about 6 years. It's "problem" is condensation in compressed air. It generates a lot of moisture at the end of the fill hose. Eliminated that with a tiny inline moisture trap.

Second Chance · October 22, 2016

Having grown up on a service station driveway, the issue I have with tankless inflators is water. Compressing air causes water in the air to condense. Without a tank, all this moisture gets pumped into the tire. With a tank, there is a release/drain valve on the bottom to periodically drain the water (we drained the compressor every day at the service station) - much less water/moisture makes it into the tire. I have seen situations where people used the tankless inflators at service stations (the ones off to the side where you insert quarters) and ended up with enough water in the tires to cause significant balance problems at highway speeds.

Rob

rbertalotto · October 22, 2016

Here is my solution. A built in compressor with a tank

http://rvbprecision.com/rv-projects/forest-river-grey-wolf-19rr-compressor-installation.html

hobopals · October 25, 2016

I have a Viar and a Kensung. They got the job done, but they were smoking. It may have been just running them too long. I have big truck tires and four trailer tires. I wish I could remember the name of the one I had with my other trailer. It was a black rectangular box, ran on dc power and as long as I ran it, it never overheated. I'd rather fill up at a gas station, but in the populated area I live in, it's generally very hard to maneuver into the space with the truck and trailer. Thank you, everyone, for your advice and suggestions. I bought the one I had for my last trailer at Ace Hardware. I think I'm going to take another look there.

Smitty77_7 · October 26, 2016

Home Depot has a Husky line of either 12V or 120V mini tankless units. We carry one of the 120V units to handle bike, and auto tires. The RV tires we use the onboard air system, with an Air Doubler. Though I admit, I've only used it once to see how it works. As I usually time checking my coaches air tires while at campgrounds that have a good size compressor. For example, I set them with our pancake compressor in May, before heading out on this years trip. It was just about 4 weeks ago, that I drove over to the tool shop at Evergreen and topped all the tires back up. (My tires are set 10% over the required PSI for the weights they carry. So them dropping a bit is not a real concern. Our rears run at 105, and after about 7K miles and almost 4 months, they we're down 2-3 PSI. Steers even less of a drop.

Best to all,

Smitty

Smitty77_7 · October 26, 2016

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-120-Volt-Inflator-HY120/202871788

This is the one that for such a low price, has performed well for the easier duty I use it for... They have one very similar, that is the 12V unit. The 120V uint seems to be built well. And at this price, not losing too much if I lose it along the way, and or only get 10 years of usage out of it...

Smitty

hobopals · March 4, 2017

I bought a

Kensun AC/DC Rapid Performance Portable Air Compressor Tire Inflator with Digital Display for Home (110V) and Car (12V) - 30 Litres/Min on sale and I'm very happy with it. I can set the amount of pressure I want and it shuts off automatically and is faster than the one I had. Thank you to all for suggestions.

Lafitte · April 15, 2017

I have used this one for years. Easy to stow, 110v cord to outside RV outlet , hook up air-line and Bob's your Uncle.I know it is not 12v , but there are many cheap 12v units out there . This Makita is a quiet oil bath lubricated unit that will last forever.It has a tank drain valve to drain any condensation. I bring it inside to use in my garage when not travelling. YMMV.

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAC700-Big-Bore-Compressor/dp/B0001Q2VK0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492266439&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=Makita+air+compressor&psc=1