[Oceander]

Reading through this thread, I think I’ve decided to buy a tire pump, particularly after considering how much I’ve dropped from time to time on the gas station pumps which are expensive, in addition to being inaccurate.

 

[AvidHiker]

I prefer a pump that can run off the 12V socket as well - Viair makes a relatively powerful one (84/85P) that can inflate an empty tire quickly, and it can run off the stock outlets but the draw is sufficiently high that if you run it too long you do risk overheating the outlet which triggers a fail safe (in which case the outlet must be replaced). After using it for years without issue that happened to me so I took the opportunity to upgrade the burnt out outlet to something that could handle more current. With the addition of heavier gauge wire (run to the R.FOG trailer hitch circuit) the Viair probably runs twice as fast as it did off the stock outlets and no worries about overload.

 

[hallux]

particularly after considering how much I’ve dropped from time to time on the gas station pumps which are expensive,

A family/employee-owned local convenience store chain in my area has a free compressor at EVERY location, even if the location doesn't sell fuel. I pass no fewer than 3 of them between home and work. VERY convenient.

 

[Roundabout2021]

YES - these 12Volt power-outlet inflaters work GREAT. Some I have used actually can set a PSI and let the machine shut itself off when setpoint is met.

HOWEVER: I have 'graduated' to using a handheld inflater which accepts the same batteries as ALL my other handheld tools. (I use RYOBI tools). I really like the 'no wires' inflating.... it takes me less than 5 minutes to check and top-off all the tires on a car.

I am in the Ryobi universe for lawn tools. I prefer the 18V Ryobi One setup to any 12V plug-in. With the Holidays coming Ryobi often has some great deals on 2-tool combos (or battery/tool/charger combos that include the Inflator, 1 or 2 batteries, and a charger. I use this one. 18V ONE+ High Pressure Inflator with Digital Gauge - RYOBI Tools. This will inflate 4 235/75x15" AT truck tire from airdown of 18 pounds back to 35 pounds with one 4AH battery. If you have a choice of charger get this one 18V ONE+ 8A RAPID CHARGER - RYOBI Tools. The ones that plug directly into the wall 110V are MUCH FASTER and more reliable that the one using a transformer plug box at the wall. The Ryobi One 18v powered units are more durable than the smaller Ryobi versions using tubular lithium batteries.

If you are already in the Dewalt, Bosch, or Milwaukee pro-level universes, they have similar offerings.

One consideration is all the smaller pumps heat up from compressing the air. It means warm or hot air is going into the tire. As it cools, your TPMS inflation pressure reading will decrease a bit. I use a 2 pound overfill, which as it cools to ambient temperature will be about the recommended level.

The Ryobi is for quick or mobile and the unit goes on all trips. However, for home use I have a tanked 110V unit that is far faster and can run small airtools.

 

[oras]

I have a 12V Slime branded pump that seems to work OK. It's mostly just for on the road emergencies.

For just general tire pressure maintenance, i use a bicycle floor pump (use it for my motorcycles as well). For the car tires, it's about 10 pumps per pound pressure. Doesn't have to be plugged in or charged and is just as fast, if not quicker than most of these small 12V air pumps. Besides, it's a decent workout.

 

[Oceander]

A family/employee-owned local convenience store chain in my area has a free compressor at EVERY location, even if the location doesn't sell fuel. I pass no fewer than 3 of them between home and work. VERY convenient.

They used to be that way, but not on L.I., at least as far as I've seen in the past 20 years.

 

[framus]

After trying 3 different gas stations where the inflation thingys were all "Out of Order" i went to Discount Tires where they inflate tires as a service. The line was ~10 cars long. Service was great but I'm getting an inflator. This is in Rio Rancho, NM.
framus

 

[provels]

JMO, but why stress the socket wiring when the battery is right there? Got one of these for my daughter. I use a 110v pump myself.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ASY23I/

 

[grimmjeeper]

Over the years I've used the small compressors with the 12V lighter plug. They're great for an emergency dealing with a tire with a slow leak. The TPMS should give you warning on that. Without it, routine checks are a good idea. Every couple of weeks to once a month is a good interval.

For my Jeep that has 37" tires, I use a Viair 400P. It connects directly to the battery and takes 15 minutes to reinflate all 4 of those 37s from 12PSI to 30. It would be overkill for most Subarus unless you're running really big tires on a heavily modified chassis. But I can say the Viair is maybe 15 years old and still going strong. So it's a solid brand to go with.

There was a link to the Viair 88P above, which is a smaller compressor but probably more than enough for most people. I know Viair has some in between the 88 and 400. All probably very good units.

ARB makes a compressor that is very popular in the Jeep community. The dual compressor unit is for big tires and likely overkill. But the single portable compressor is likely a good option.

Best to ask yourself how you plan on using the compressor. Just for emergencies, you can get away with the small 12V plug or self contained battery version. If you plan on using it regularly, the ones that connect directly to the battery is the way to go.

 

[grimsurfer]

Viairs have a good rep, as does ARB.

Good point wrt single vs two stage compressors.

Single stage compressors aren’t great for air mattresses and large off-road tires. They’re designs for pressure, not volume so they’re great for topping off passenger car, motorcycle, and bicycle tires. If you pop a bead on the first two, a single stage won’t reseat it.

Two stage compressors or anything with a volume tank will do it all.

FWIW, I carry a tire plug kit in the car. They’re very compact, dirt cheap, and are preferable to cans of sealants (which tire shops despise for several reasons). A “plug” is a repair. A can of sealant is intended to get a car as far as the first available tire shop.

If a plug can’t fix it, neither will a patch.

 

[AvidHiker]

FWIW, the Viair 84/85P is nearly as capable as the 88P (1.3 vs 1.5 cubic feet per minute), mine has refilled many totally flat tires - great to have when forced to plug a puncture on the side of the road. Another possible advantage of the slightly smaller units - my 84P will fit under the passenger seat, along with my NOCO jump pack, not sure the 88P would fit with the much longer hose. Caveat of course, as already mentioned, you really should run it off a proper dedicated high-current outlet (or off the battery itself). I wanted a high current outlet for other purposes as well so that route just made sense for me.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Viairs have a good rep, as does ARB.

Good point wrt single vs two stage compressors.

Single stage compressors aren’t great for air mattresses and large off-road tires. They’re designs for pressure, not volume so they’re great for topping off passenger car, motorcycle, and bicycle tires. If you pop a bead on the first two, a single stage won’t reseat it.

Two stage compressors or anything with a volume tank will do it all.

FWIW, I carry a tire plug kit in the car. They’re very compact, dirt cheap, and are preferable to cans of sealants (which tire shops despise for several reasons). A “plug” is a repair. A can of sealant is intended to get a car as far as the first available tire shop.

If a plug can’t fix it, neither will a patch.

All the compressors I mentioned are single stage.

The ARB dual compressor kit is simply two separate compressors, both feeding the hose at the same time. ARB really only makes one compressor. To keep up with the bigger units from companies like Viair, they kit two of them together to get the volume.

Viair makes over a dozen different compressors, all of them single stage. They all have different specs depending on how big you go. So there's lots to choose from. Then they make some of them into portable kits with all the stuff you need to use them standalone. Most of their compressors are for dedicated on-board air setups.

I agree with you on what you need to fix a hole or popped bead.

 

[grimsurfer]

1.3-1.5 SCFM is pretty impressive for a 12v pump, though I’d want to see at what pressure that output is rated.

I haven’t the foggiest idea what my portable compressor is capable of delivering. I have medium shop compressor that is rated at 5.8 SCFM at 90 psig. It’s a HD model so can run continuously without risking thermal shutdown. This allows me to wrench, nail, drive… and barely paint and sand blast. Barely. But that’s about the limit for 120v/15A. Anything more than that requires 220v three phase.

This is what makes anything in the 12v range in the range that @AvidHiker mentioned quite impressive.

 

[AvidHiker]

1.3-1.5 SCFM is pretty impressive for a 12v pump, though I’d want to see at what pressure that output is rated...

Those are the 30 psi ratings. 84/85P is 1.27 CFM (drawing 13A), 88P is 1.45 CFM (drawing 17A) according to their website.

 

[grimsurfer]

Still damned impressive at 30 psi. More sensible pressure rating for a car tire pump anyway.

 

[nathatt]

Yep, have used a number of them over the years and never had an issue. I've used them in the dash/console 12V outlet as well as the rear outlet in Subaru and other makes.

 

[9_MM]

I have the following:

Thor's Lightning Bolt Portable 12v True Dual Air Compressor 10.6 CFM - Thor's Lightning Adventure Systems

Shop Thor's Lightning Bolt Portable 12v True Dual Air Compressor 10.6 CFM. See the rest of our 12v portable air compressors & Air Systems.

thorslightningairsystems.com

It’s worked well for me.

 

[mscottc]

I've had this for almost a decade now. Very happy with it, but I do have a separate digital gauge, as this one does not have a target pressure setting. I typically power it from the console cigarette lighter plug with the engine running.

Amazon.com

I've also just recently added a clip on chuck, which makes it more convenient

 

[AWDrules]

I got this one. It's battery powered (rechargeable) but also includes a 12V socket cord if needed. I recently gave it a try, and it works a charm. Connect the chuck to the tire. Power on. Set target pressure, and pull the trigger! It stops automatically when target pressure is reached.

Amazon.com: Avid Power Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor, 20V Cordless Rechargeable Battery Tire Pump w/ 12V Car Power Adapter, Digital Pressure Gauge, Auto Air Pump for Many Inflatables (Orange) : Automotive

Buy Avid Power Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor, 20V Cordless Rechargeable Battery Tire Pump w/ 12V Car Power Adapter, Digital Pressure Gauge, Auto Air Pump for Many Inflatables (Orange): Air Compressors & Inflators - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I also carry this air pressure gauge just in case or to verify.

Amazon.com

 

[canoe_nc]

I have a NOCO AIR15 Ultra Fast 15A Tire Inflator that I purchased 6 months ago. Plugs into the cigarette lighter port. I have used it twice on my Subaru, once on my daughter's Toyota RAV4 and once on her mother in law's Lexus. Works great. Got it on Amazon. Price has dropped 20% I did buy a Tire Air Chuck with Clip Adapter also from Amazon. Links below.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com