Booster Pack

[Cubman]

I went off-roading for the first time last weekend. The trail leader suggested I air down, so I aired down to 18 p.s.i. I made the mistake of not checking to be sure there was a way to fill up again. I had my 120v compressor with me, but there was no available electricity at the trailhead. Not a big deal, since I live so close to the trail, but I would like to avoid this situation in the future.
An unrelated issue that I would like to address at the same time is the failure of my trucks original battery. Luckily, it happened in town, and was easily replaced.

I am considering purchasing a booster pack, so that I can jump-start my truck if no other vehicles are nearby, and to air up after a day off roading. I have seen booster packs with built-in air compressors. Does anyone have experience with these? Do these units have the power to raise four 265/75R16s around 20 p.s.i.? Time is not a very big issue. BTW, My truck is an automatic, so I cannot roll-start it if my battery is dead. Any input is appreciated.

 

[TheRoadie]

My experience is pretty poor with those $50 booster packs. The compressor is about $20 (retail) proportion of the package, which gets you a low duty-cycle compressor that will die if it doesn't overheat and shut down on your first. The battery jump start feature is very good to carry around, but you can buy jump-start ONLY units that aren't burdened with a useless compressor.

If it took you over two hours to air back up I predict time would start to be an issue. There are plenty of better (ie: non-accessory outlet) compressors that clamp onto your battery and draw 20-30 amps and have a better (not 100% duty cycle. These can set you back $60-70. I'd recommend one like that at a minimum.

And what kind of trail leader abandoned you at the end of the run without confirming you were OK to air them back up? Shame on them.

 

[granitex1]

I have yet to see a combo unit that I would trust to inflate truck tires. The jump pack is a great thing to have, it is a lot more convienent to get out to jump somebody, than it is to get a truck turned around on a trail to get back to them.

If you look around there are a bunch of pretty good 12v compressors around. Just do not be tempted to get one that plugs into a 12v adapter, get one that clamps on to the battery, or is dirrectly connected to the battery. The smaller ones that go through the lighter are just too small to count on.

For the most part all of the ones attached to the battery pack are the smaller ones.

Ending note,, When you use your compressor to air back up leave the truck running,

 

[Cubman]

Thank you for the quick responses. I was asking about the booster pack / air compressor combo only for convenience. I have researched ViAir compressors, they would be the best solution, but are out of my price range for now.

TheRoadie, are you referring to something like the Superflow mv50? I thought those had been discontinued. Do you have a link to something comparable?

 

[TheRoadie]

I have four friends all using the MV50. Since I got a CO2 Powertank, all I carry mine for is a backup.

They're still available on Ebay, Summit Racing and 4wheelparts.com. I read stories about them being discontinued all the way back to 2005, so I don't know what the real story is with them. Just search for "Q Industries compressor".

 

[Robert Bills]

I have seen booster packs with built-in air compressors. Does anyone have experience with these? Do these units have the power to raise four 265/75R16s around 20 p.s.i.?

The compressor in a booster pack is just one step above useless for anything except one tire in an emergency situation. You need a "real" compressor.

See this recent thread for a discussion of compressors available at Costco.

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18580

 

[Moody]

The compressors mentioned have been available at my local Costco in the last few weeks.

I went with a Black and Decker power pack for my Nissan, and I have one of those compressors above.

Just lost the battery in the parking lot of the post office a week or so ago...power pack got us going until we could get a new battery later that night.

 

[Cubman]

I have looked at Sam's Club in the past, and did not see any compressors, so I just checked online. MV50 for $51.12 plus shipping. Thanks for the suggestion.

I will look into stand alone booster packs. Do any come with 12V chargers? I would like to run a 12V+ wire to the toolbox and have the truck battery maintain the booster pack's battery. If the truck battery ever died while the booster pack was connected to the charger, would it drain the booster pack as well? Probably a simple question, but I know very little about electronics.

 

[Schattenjager]

... And what kind of trail leader abandoned you at the end of the run without confirming you were OK to air them back up? Shame on them.

No doubt.

I have to say I agree with my esteemed fellow ExPo'ers - the right tool for the job and any combo anything is seldom worth it's weight in bacon fat.

For power, I got a Xantrex PowerPack 600HD and love it! Has built in inverter with three 110 outlets, a great accessory kit that makes using it easy - and the gel system is just amazing - it has sat for months and test >97% charged and is impervious to cold. Looks like Duracell is re-badging these for a little less coin:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=powerpack+600hd&x=0&y=0

For air, i also got a Costco cheapie that clamps to the battery. It's noisy and not uber fast, but is gets the job done in an acceptable manner.

 

[Cubman]

No doubt.

I have to say I agree with my esteemed fellow ExPo'ers - the right tool for the job and any combo anything is seldom worth it's weight in bacon fat.

For power, I got a Xantrex PowerPack 600HD and love it! Has built in inverter with three 110 outlets, a great accessory kit that makes using it easy - and the gel system is just amazing - it has sat for months and test >97% charged and is impervious to cold. Looks like Duracell is re-badging these for a little less coin:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=powerpack+600hd&x=0&y=0

For air, i also got a Costco cheapie that clamps to the battery. It's noisy and not uber fast, but is gets the job done in an acceptable manner.

I like the specs on that battery, not sure that I need the 110 outlets, though. Thanks for the link.

Just to clarify, the trail leader didn't 'abandon' me. There is a permit shed at the trailhead that has electricity that I (wrongly) assumed I could use to air up. I followed the trail leaders suggestion to air down. Afterwards, he said he was low on CO2, and assured me it would be fine to drive with low tire pressures. I drove the ten miles home on 18 PSI and never went about 35 mph. No a big crisis, but I would like to avoid that situation by purchasing a compressor.

 

[Schattenjager]

I like the specs on that battery, not sure that I need the 110 outlets, though. Thanks for the link...

When, my friend, would you ever be sorry for having them?

 

[Moody]

The Black and Decker unit I bought has a plug that charges it from a cig. lighter. Initially, it needed a 24 hour charge from home, but it has only been charged with the car since. Mine has a 3 LED light on it as well. Kind of a nice little feature in the event of a flat, or even as a warning 'flare' of sorts.

 

[TheRoadie]

Just to clarify, the trail leader didn't 'abandon' me.

I agree, then. I've driven that slowly for 30 miles at 18PSI, checking for sidewalls heating up due to the flex, with no problem.

 

[Roktoys84]

I usually air down to 8psi when I wheel and just drive back to town to air up. Usually in Moab my tires stay at 8psi for the entire trip. For short trips on pavement it doesn't concern me, I've never noticed my tires heating up more than normal but I'm running 37s. Maybe they take longer to heat up. I have one of those 12V compressors but with 37s it is pretty much useless.