Tire Inflators - Which to get?

[Desertdude]

http://dv-innovations.com/products/mf_50.htm


I have a 20lb co2 tank - I am going to lower that with a 10 lb tank to save some weight and space...
The 20 lb came with faulty connections that leaked ( not good) - after many emails to the manufacturer they finally sent new connections - I like the idea of a quiet ( non powered) air source but, in my area filling is expensive ( including driving to get it filled), and freezing connections seem to plague this brand (Source) [ or maybe the heat in AZ and the fast filling is all this unit can handle]
...I might splurge and move into a powertank and hang in there with co2

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

Hey Pasquale, if you are getting rid of your 20lb I am interested in it for a workshop use thing.

I have the 10lb and it's a good size for trail use. You going to Surf n Turf?

James

 

[Desertdude]

Hi James - Great minds think alike - I will move the 20lb into the shop. I have used it on the jobsite for my finish nail guns - nice and quiet

Yes! Kristina and I will see you at Snt ( Thursday afternoon) :sunny:

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

Yes! Kristina and I will see you at Snt ( Thursday afternoon) :sunny:

:luxhello: I'll be there fri, it will be good to see you again!

on topic: I use CO2 for impact gun and it is great. Quiet and plenty of capacity (I use adj. regulator to keep within gun's range)

However, air tools use up alot of air so be aware of it if you plan on using air tools alot and for extended periods of time.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

After much investigation, and balancing between

A. Capability of the unit, and
B. My budget,

I bought a 10-pound CO2 tank, mount, and accessories, with which I've been very happy. Filling tires is very fast, and the tank costs less than $6 to refill at Kalil in Tucson. The same capability in a compressor, such as the one Scott bought, would have cost--and weighed--significantly more. Upside to the compressor, of course, is that it never runs out of breath. For any North American expedition I can envision I believe the CO2 tank has plenty of capacity. If I were driving across Africa, or to Tierra del Fuego, I would certainly go with a compressor.

Downside to the CO2 tank, besides finite capacity, is the inability to tell how much CO2 is left unless you weigh the tank and compare it against the known weight empty. And CO2 cannot be topped up; the tank must be either empty or evacuated at the station before being refilled. Neither is a big deal, just something to be aware of.

I'm impressed at the reports on the inexpensive compressors mentioned here. Personally I've never used an under-$100 model that took less than several minutes to fill one tire, and that wouldn't shut down repeatedly while topping up four tires on a hot day--even the ARB.

 

[Ursidae69]

I'm very happy with my 10lb PowerTank from the Source. It fills my 285/75s from 15 to 35 psi in less than a minutes each. My friend Jayson has an Extreme Air like Scott posted. It is heavier than the CO2 tank system, more bulky, pulls a lot of amps, gets hella-freakin hot, is a lot more expensive, and requires maintenance. Just something to think about.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

The rated PSI of compressors means little or nothing. It's usually a way to make a cheap compressor sound powerful. Makers of cheap astronomical telescopes claim high magnification capabilities to the same end, as do flashlight companies with candlepower ratings.

 

[Scott Brady]

I am not a fan of CO2 for long trips. If there is a leak, you are out of air. With my ExtremeAir, I can fill tires indefinetely, operate the front arb, run air tools and never have to worry about needing to fill it up. The ExtremeAir weighs 15 lbs, which is about the same as the tanks with the mounts.

For a trail rig (like my Jeep), a CO2 would be great..

I guess that I have seen so many CO2 system failures (leaks, freezing, etc.) that I have a tainted viewpoint.

 

[Desertdude]

I guess that I have seen so many CO2 system failures (leaks, freezing, etc.) that I have a tainted viewpoint.

YUP - and it is embarrassing :elkgrin:

 

[BajaTaco]

The rated PSI of compressors means little or nothing.

Yep, I agree.

Just keep in mind that if you plan to use your compressor to run air lockers, that you need about 85 psi to do so. And it's nice to have a compressor that will go higher than 85 psi without struggling, so you can keep some extra pressure in a small tank so the air locker can run a few times without having to start the compressor every time. An example would be the QuickAir 3. It puts out 3.65 CFM but it only goes up to 70 psi max. You know you have an awesome compressor when the CFM is high, the max. PSI is high, and the duty cycle is high (like Scott's Extreme Outback unit).

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I didn't realize the Outback Extreme only weighted 15 pounds. That's very light. The other heavy duty compressors with which I'm familiar are up around 40 pounds.

I've never had any trouble with my CO2 setup, but I've seen several (cheap) compressors do a Chernobyl halfway through airing up four tires. As always, quality costs the least in the long run.

 

[flyingwil]

... but I've seen several (cheap) compressors do a Chernobyl halfway through airing up four tires. As always, quality costs the least in the long run.

:xxrotflma That's too Funny!

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

So Wil..........

Would you laugh at me for buying a Chernobyl air compressor if we were sitting around a campfire together? :campfire:

 

[flyingwil]

So Wil..........

Would you laugh at me for buying a Chernobyl air compressor if we were sitting around a campfire together? :campfire:

No not laughing at that but rather the Chernobyl metaphore. I thought that it was a hilarious reference, seeing that I have not thought of Cherobyl since grade school.

I actually want a MF-1050 compressor, and hope it will not go Chernobyl!

 

[Ursidae69]

I am not a fan of CO2 for long trips. If there is a leak, you are out of air. With my ExtremeAir, I can fill tires indefinetely, operate the front arb, run air tools and never have to worry about needing to fill it up. The ExtremeAir weighs 15 lbs, which is about the same as the tanks with the mounts.

For a trail rig (like my Jeep), a CO2 would be great..

I guess that I have seen so many CO2 system failures (leaks, freezing, etc.) that I have a tainted viewpoint.

Hmm, my buddy's compressor is more than 15 pounds. I'll have to check into that. There are pluses and minuses either way as you know.

I hope mine don't start leaking, I have in the cab behind the seat for now until my bed project gets underway. I'd hate to have slow leak of CO2 in the cab, I'd just slowly fall asleep at the wheel! It'd be bad.