YotaTech Forums - View Single Post - Harbor Freight Portable Air Compressor Review

Red_Chili · 05-12-2008, 12:01 PM

Interesting, I wonder how that compares with the MV-50 compressors I run?

Seems like it takes a lot less time to inflate from 11psi to 30, but then, I run two in tandem, hardmounted, with the bumper as a tank. I too believe in redundancy! The things I started not liking about CO2 were:
1) I ran out right when I needed to fill one more tire, or two more.
2) Not that convenient to fill. Or it seemed that way. Nothing in Moab, and the place near me usually has tanks to swap, but not always.
3) When sleeping in the back of the truck, it was one more thing in my way. And more weight.
4) I needed a compressor anyway for the ARBs. I would not want to plumb CO2 for them, though you could. If you ran out, you would have neither air NOR lockers. Not good.

The drawback to the electric compressors are:
1) requires a couple 30A breakers. They draw a lot. I have a high cap. alternator now, and two yellow top batts, so not a big deal.
2) Both relays in the compressors died. No matter, I am controlling them with external relays anyway, so these were redundant. I simply removed them and soldered the wire in its place. Replacement 30A automotive relays are as common as Checkers/Kragen or Radio Shack.

05-12-2008, 12:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Red_Chili Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 289	Interesting, I wonder how that compares with the MV-50 compressors I run? Seems like it takes a lot less time to inflate from 11psi to 30, but then, I run two in tandem, hardmounted, with the bumper as a tank. I too believe in redundancy! The things I started not liking about CO2 were: 1) I ran out right when I needed to fill one more tire, or two more. 2) Not that convenient to fill. Or it seemed that way. Nothing in Moab, and the place near me usually has tanks to swap, but not always. 3) When sleeping in the back of the truck, it was one more thing in my way. And more weight. 4) I needed a compressor anyway for the ARBs. I would not want to plumb CO2 for them, though you could. If you ran out, you would have neither air NOR lockers. Not good. The drawback to the electric compressors are: 1) requires a couple 30A breakers. They draw a lot. I have a high cap. alternator now, and two yellow top batts, so not a big deal. 2) Both relays in the compressors died. No matter, I am controlling them with external relays anyway, so these were redundant. I simply removed them and soldered the wire in its place. Replacement 30A automotive relays are as common as Checkers/Kragen or Radio Shack. __________________ -Bill Red Chili II: 1987 SASed 5VZ-FE 4Runner with more stuff than I can afford. Not that that makes me unique 'round here. Shadowfax: 1993 minitruck. Getting the Engnbldr full meal deal. Hunting truck and DD! Bio Page Last edited by Red_Chili; 05-12-2008 at 12:02 PM.