Tire inflation compressors

[GroupSe7en]

I need a simple compressor to inflate a tire after I've plugged it. Patch kit is pretty useless unless you can put some air back in the tire - even I know that!

Suggestions?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[01tundra]

I need a simple compressor to inflate a tire after I've plugged it. Patch kit is pretty useless unless you can put some air back in the tire - even I know that!

Suggestions?

Thanks,
Mark

I'm really impressed with the Q Industries MV50 SuperFlow for the price, but this only serves as back-up for my CO2 tank -

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BM8RT8/ref=oss_product

 

[soonenough]

A lot of people seem to like the MasterFlow MV50 "Tsunami" compressor (also known as the SuperFlow MF-50; they're identical). I use one and it's decent, especially considering their relatively low price ($50 - $70 typically). One downfall of the unit is that its duty cycle will be reduced significantly if it's hot outside. I'd suggest upgrading the wiring, that seems to be the main bottleneck to its performance.

The general consensus is that any of the compressors that plug into a cigarette lighter outlet for power probably aren't that great, since the 12V outlet wiring isn't up to carrying large current loads.

 

[Regcabguy]

Viair portable compressors.

I've got the Viair 400P. It clamps onto the battery terminals and provides plenty of air to inflate my 34" tall tires from 30 psi to 60 psi in less than 20 minutes which is the duty cycle on this unit. The next one up runs all day. I got mine from Offroad Warehouse in San Diego,but they're available much cheaper these days online.

 

[dzzz]

How much you spend depends on if you plan on airing down. No reason to spend a ton of money on emergency air, as long as you can set the bead.

 

[Metcalf]

I highly recommend the mv-50 compressor also. As long as your not in a super big rush it works great. Dollar for dollar I think its one of the best options. As mentioned if you want to use it really heavy I would upgrade the wiring. You can find them at local parts houses sometimes if you like the play before you buy. I found mine at the local O'riely's. They also come with an air gauge on the compressor, a nice quick connect for the hose, and a nice bag to store it all in.

 

[HenryJ]

I highly recommend the mv-50 compressor also...

Add me to that list.
I bought two on close out. One for $25 and the other for $12.50 as it was an open box return. I thought I would need both if they were cheap and did not last long. I was right that I did need both, but not because of their longevity. Because they are handy and everyone seems to borrow it. That way I have my loaner and can keep one all to myself
Mine is five years old now and still doing just fine as a weekend warrior.

 

[UNI]

I agree with "Regcabguy", 2X on the VIAIR Portable Compressor. We have the VIAIR 450P. Great Air Compressor!

Alan

 

[keezer37]

The MV50s are running $60 now (Amazon). After reading in another thread about items that would need attention, soldered, I thought that the Viair 90p would be a suitable alternative for $20 more.

 

[Antichrist]

I agree with "Regcabguy", 2X on the VIAIR Portable Compressor. We have the VIAIR 450P. Great Air Compressor!

From the web site

This 100% duty cycle unit ... can be operated for up to 40 minutes at a time before needing to be rested.

 

[Far far north]

Found this compressor comparison on another thread here.
And bought two MV-50 after reading it...

 

[01tundra]

I finally got to try my MV50 out this past Sunday when some jokester thought it would be funny to pull all four of my valve cores while I was asleep. I was already out of CO2 from airing back up after the previous day's trail ride and had to use my compressor to air up four 40's from 0 psig to 30 psig. I ran the compressor non-stop for about 30 minutes and had them all aired up and ready to roll.

I was pretty pissed at the time and didn't really care if the compressor melted and caught on fire......but it held up like a champ.

I wouldn't have a problem using it as my primary air source if I didn't have my CO2 set up.

 

[MotoDave]

Another endorsement of the MV-50, it handles getting my 33x10.5's from 15 - 30 psi in around 15 minutes no provblem. I'm working on hard mounting it under the hood, as about the only annoying thing about it is having to unpack it before each use

 

[matt s]

Another vote for the mv-50. Just last week I managed get a flat tire during a good "stuck". The tire was just hissing air and deflated completely in just a couple of minutes. Just to try and save some jack and cribbing time I hooked up the compressor to see if it could inflate faster than the leak. It actually did that and then some. Both of us there were astonished as we didn't think it would work. It saved us a lot of the jacking (down in the mud of course) that we had to do.

Actually it did so well it made me consider pairing the mv-50 with an X-Jack. I think it would pop one of those right up.

For volume the box says it's 3500 ccm (cubic centimeters per minute).

 

[soonenough]

...had to use my compressor to air up four 40's from 0 psig to 30 psig. I ran the compressor non-stop for about 30 minutes and had them all aired up and ready to roll....

That's pretty impressive. What was the weather like at the time? I only ask because I had mine out during a trail run in August in the sweltering heat (direct sun, mid afternoon, temperatures over 100°), and after airing my stock 265/70/16 tires from 20 to 32 psi, and another guy's 35's from 18 to 32 psi, it finally started cutting out repeatedly while airing up someone else's 33's.

After it shut off the first time, I picked it up and realized that the wiring was ridiculously hot, almost hot enough to burn my hand. I moved it into the shade, which helped a little, but it still took over an hour to get those last 4 tires aired up (compared to probably 30 or 40 minutes for the first 8 tires). All in all, still really impressive for a $60 compressor.