Looking for an inexpensive 12 volt compressor

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
08/25/2018 at 17:20 • Filed to: None

Earlier today, just before starting a run (the Taber CornFest run, to be specific) , we discovered the jogging stroller wheel was basically flat, despite being filled up the day before. This necessitated a quick trip over to a gas station pay an exuberant amount to fill it up. This got me thinking - I really should get a 12 v compressor for at least one of our vehicles. Are there any reasonably priced ones that are of decent quality?

It doesn’t need to be something completely hardcore like the overland guys use, but something that I can keep in the van/car in case I need it. Are there particular things to look out for when buying a 12 v compressor?

DISCUSSION (20)

Sovande > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/25/2018 at 17:55

If you have a cordless drill or other cordless power tools, you may be able to find one made by that same manufacturer which would make batteries and chargers cross compatible. Milwaukee, for instance, makes a cordless compressor.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Sovande
08/25/2018 at 18:08

Huh. I hadn’t thought about a battery powered compressor - I was thinking one that would plug into a cigarette lighter.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/25/2018 at 18:23

Kinjadeals? I got one off amazon for like $15 that works fine.

RacinBob > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/25/2018 at 18:29

I think they all pretty much work, especially for a low volume tire.

Die-Trying > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/25/2018 at 18:36

Kinja'd!!!

heh, i FOREVER had these guys laying in my green truck. was never worried about having a flat at work........ the second one is just an air hose, but it has/d an airchuck on both ends. what that does/did, is that it lets me hook two tires together, say a flat and a full one. then the pressure between them will equalize, and you now have TWO half full tires.........

the first picture is what basically amounts to a compression checker, BUT without a gauge, and an airchuck in the place of the gauge. you just pull out a spark plug, hook up the compression checker, and then start your old truck and wait for it to pump up your tire........ simpler times.......

Sovande > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/25/2018 at 18:44

I was just looking at them this morning while I waited for my compressor to fill up...

I don't know a thing about the cigarette lighter variety. Good luck with your search!

LOREM IPSUM > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/25/2018 at 18:47

Chevron still has complimentary air fwiw.

Kiltedpadre > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/25/2018 at 18:51

I bought a cheap one as a daily deal through Amazon. It’s labeled as being by the slime company. I think I payed $20 for it. It’s fine for my car or something small, but it’s completely useless for my truck tires.

For that I sprung for a nicer one that I hardwired and mounted under the hood of the truck.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > LOREM IPSUM
08/25/2018 at 20:03

The only station within a reasonable distance didn't. :(

LOREM IPSUM > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/25/2018 at 20:32

That’s no good, I thought it was a chain-wide thing. Literally everyone else in this area is pay to pump, but Chevron always has free air . Some a single hose for the station, and others have a hose at each end of every island. Love Chevron.

Though t here was that one day I had to literally go to 3 different locations before finding a pressurized line, but that was an anomaly.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > LOREM IPSUM
08/26/2018 at 02:53

Normally I'd just use the air compressor in my garage, but in this case we were a 45 minute drive away, with a race starting in less than 30 minutes.

kgman > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/26/2018 at 03:09

I have a Craftsman tire inflator with a digital gauge. It’s worked for years without any problem. It’s nice because you can preset what pressure you want and it will stop when it reaches that pressure.

Kinja'd!!!

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/26/2018 at 08:36

Harbor Freight 150 psi with clips to connect to battery so that you aren’t threading it through a window when switching sides of the vehicle. I and many other autocrossers use this and it holds up well. $62 and then use the one item coupons for further discount.

https://m.harborfreight.com/12volt-150-psi-compact-air-compressor-69285.html

HammerheadFistpunch > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/26/2018 at 11:08

Superflow. Cheap but decent

BaconSandwich is tasty. > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com
08/27/2018 at 11:35

No Harbor Frieght in Canada. :(

BaconSandwich is tasty. > HammerheadFistpunch
08/27/2018 at 11:49

Any model in particular?

HammerheadFistpunch > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/27/2018 at 11:56

I bought the MV50 back when it was $70. but I think the HV35 would probably cut it. They are the right blend between cheap and nice. I’ve had to replace my reed valve (with a valve feeler gauge) but the rest of the pump as stood up to lots and lots of abuse.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/27/2018 at 12:29

, i ndeed.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > HammerheadFistpunch
08/27/2018 at 14:30

Good to know. Given your association with Overland, I'm taking your opinion in high regard. :p I found an HV35 at a local store for $47 CAD. I don't think I'll do much better than that!

HammerheadFistpunch > BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/27/2018 at 14:31

We’ve had three HV50's in my group for years now, and the only failure so far was my reed valve, but since it was a rebuildable pump unit, I was able to repair it and its back to full functionality.