http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...ab=des#tablink

what do you all think of that compressor? i have read through all the threads about 12v compressors, and know that they aren't ideal. however, i am relatively poor and cannot afford anything major. all i need is enough air to inflate my 32" spare, as in order to store it underneath, i'll need to deflate it. so basically, the compressor would just be something i'd use if i got a flat and needed to inflate the spare a bit.

for offroading, i'd just wait an air back up at a filling station, so i am not planning on using the 12v compressor for that at all. it'd just be for emergency usage, re-inflating the spare.

 

Something is better than nothing... it'll just take you a looooooooong time to fill up

 

That looks pretty good. Most of those type of compressors run to about 150 psi or so. Maybe this one is better. Have you searched online for any websites that review these things? I'm sure there is something out there.

 

dont shoot down these 12V compressors
I have a truck air, which I bought at Kragen for $30 or $40. It's at least bigger than the little ones you get. Have used it a number of times now and it works just fine. AT pismo I filled my 4 tires (265/70/17) and my GF 4 tires (225/55/17) from 12 psi to 30 psi in about 20-30 minutes. It works fine, slower than the big boys out there but it will probably not burn out for sometime to come (touch wood). Once you go over 30 psi they tend to go slower, but 30 psi is fine to get round.

I'll send you a pic. SO make sure it is a beefy one, they don really say on the website. You will see the scale against a keyboard of mine. SO there are cheap ones out there that are beefy, which should do the job pretty well. The small ones will probably burn out before they air up all four.

Oh and dont worry too much about the PSI rating, it is academic.

 

This is the best inexpensive 12volt air compressor I have found. High PSI does not always equal faster inflation times and usually indicates low duty cycles on these cheap compressors. It is mfg by Wagan and can be bought here:

http://www.q3wholesale.com/Compressor-2050.htm

 

If you want to fill tires, don't look at PSI, look at CFM (cubic feet per minute) - basically how much air the compressor can push and how fast it can push it. The lower the CFM rating, the longer it will take to fill a tire, regardless of PSI.

 

cool, cool, thanks guys! i'll go to sears in person this weekend maybe and check out the size of these things. i'll pay special attention to the CFM, too.

 

Rocky, take a look at there air tanks to they cost about the same and it fills up your tires alot faster.

 

I'm using the portable unit as well I think it's made by cambell, got it for $26 those guys with ARB compressors are a bit faster than mine. All 4 tires, to fill up, it takes about 10-15mins per tire. that one would take a little less I guess. Like mentioned above, something is better than nothing. I've also seen some guys with bicycle tire pump(manual) that works just fine depending on your fitness level

 

well ... i compressed the coils without air tools ... so i guess my fitness level is alright.

 

have you tried just blowing air on your own?

ahh i feel like i'm gonna get flamed for this one! (jackson is right though, cfm is key!)

 

are you insulting me?
you should remember, i have TWO pickle forks.

 

ok you're allowed to use only ONE pickle fork then.

 

Yes! That is the best of the "cheap" compressors I've seen. And have one always sitting in the side cargo compartment.

No idea why they included a cigarette lighter power plug on it, as it will blow any car, including the 4Runner. I had to run a separate power line to the cargo area to power it.

BLOWN FUSE = POWERFUL