Small Compact Air Compressor

[silvercreek]

What are your recommendations for a small compact 12 volt air compressor? No high dollar compressors, don't need to spend that much money. If I were doing a lot of off-road it would be a different story but right now I just want a relatively inexpensive small air compressor (air motor) type.

 

[Chris]

What are your recommendations for a small compact 12 volt air compressor? No high dollar compressors, don't need to spend that much money. If I were doing a lot of off-road it would be a different story but right now I just want a relatively inexpensive small air compressor (air motor) type.

Does this count as compact?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X9AXR8/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I have that one and it's actually quite small in person. It will inflate and deflate my 33" tires completely in around 1-2 minutes each. It comes with numerous accessories and a very durable carrying / storage bag.

 

[LJRubiconGuy]

x2 to what Chris said. I have that same compressor and it's pretty small (the pictures make it look bigger than it is), the price is right, and it's extremely effective.

 

[silvercreek]

Does this count as compact?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X9AXR8/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I have that one and it's actually quite small in person. It will inflate and deflate my 33" tires completely in around 1-2 minutes each. It comes with numerous accessories and a very durable carrying / storage bag.

Thanks Chris. I bought one of those small SLIME compressors and it burned out the first time I used it. I guess you're not supposed to run those more than 5 minutes at a time. It seemed like it took for ever to air up a tire. I guess the old say apply here. "You get what you pay for."

 

[Chris]

Thanks Chris. I bought one of those small SLIME compressors and it burned out the first time I used it. It seemed like it took for ever to air up a tire. I guess the old say apply here. "You get what you pay for."

Yeah, those compressors you're talking about are too small to pump up the tire with any sort of efficiency. You'll burn them out in the process just like you experienced. That one I sent you the link to is a fantastic air compressor that can pump up tires with ease. It's also pretty small and will easily fit behind your seat or in the trunk without any effort.

 

[silvercreek]

Those small ones may be ok for a bicycle tire but that about it.

 

[StG58]

I've been looking at the Viair 88P, does anyone have experience with that model?

 

[Chris]

Those small ones may be ok for a bicycle tire but that about it.

Yep, they are meant for bicycles or air mattresses.

 

[Rook]

I too suggest the VIAR 400P that @Chris mentioned in his post. I have that compressor and it's small, lightweight and can easily fill up to a 35" tire in a short amount of time.

 

[ELBRAVO]

I agree that Chris that most of the Time You get what you pay for. I'm currently go OFF ROADr on a "limited" basis. Sometimes it is hard to find someone to go out with you so I tend to be Extra Careful where I go, and WHO I go out with off-road. I TRY to find someone that their Equipment Complements my Gear so that we can backup each other accordingly. I recently purchased a small compressor that also includes a 450 Amp Instant & 900 peak Amp starting power with a 120 PSI Compressor and 12 Volt DC & USB Outlets that can provide Charges for Cellphones MP3 Devices and more. The good thing is that I purchased it at Half Price on a known TV network channel.

PLEASE NOTE; I have NOT Field Tested the Equipment OFF-ROAD. Attached you will find some Photos. Sometimes it is Equally important to be able to provide someone with a Quick Charge to Start their rig, Cellphone, or Perhaps, some Compressed Air.

Like I said before, this is Just additional equipment that may come in Handy during an Emergency.

 

[Chris]

@ELBRAVO, that looks like it should do the trick for at least up to 33" tires. If it were me I would air one of your tires down to 6-7psi in your driveway and then see how fast that thing airs it up to full. If it does it in under 2 minutes without struggling too much I would say it's a good unit. To be honest it looks like it should do the trick.

Also cool that it has a jump starter built-in!

 

[ELBRAVO]

@ELBRAVO, that looks like it should do the trick for at least up to 33" tires. If it were me I would air one of your tires down to 6-7psi in your driveway and then see how fast that thing airs it up to full. If it does it in under 2 minutes without struggling too much I would say it's a good unit. To be honest it looks like it should do the trick.

Also cool that it has a jump starter built-in!

I agree Chris. I think I only paid something like $ 80:00 for

 

[Chris]

I agree Chris. I think I only paid something like $ 80:00 for

Not too shabby! I paid $150 for my VIAR 400P.

 

[ELBRAVO]

I uploaded some additional photos, (See Attached).

This unit also is pretty Heavy. I haven't weighed it yet. It also has a "Built In Light" that may come in handy if God forbids you happen to get stuck out in the Everglades under the Stars.

 

[Chris]

I've actually had good luck with Stanley tools in the past to be honest. It looks pretty durable!

 

[ELBRAVO]

• It is pouring rain here in Miami and we are currently under a Flood Watch.

• My Stock 10- A 2 Dr. JK, does not have 35' Tires.
• I will deflate my Spare 10 -15 PSI - when I get a chance, and Test the Compressor when I get a chance, per your recommendation and test it.

My wife and I often go on road trips to some State and National Parks, some parks like BEAR ISLAND, require that you take a Test online, undergo a vehicle inspection, have a photo ID card, and also post a special Off Road Vehicle (ORV) Sticker on the Front Windshield, to make sure you do not go Off an Official- Marked Trail, and to consequently- mess up the Environment and eventually get stuck.

Some Park Rangers tell You right up front, that if you happen to go Off a Marked Trail and happen to get stuck, you may end up spending the night, and that it will cost approximately &500.00 to have a Tow Truck come out and pull you out of the muck you got stuck in.

Emergency Equipment and "Common Sense" is a MUST, when you go out on some of these trails.

The ALIGATORS don't mind having Extra Company in this neck of the woods.


Stay safe,

ELBRAVO

 

[Chris]

Some Park Rangers tell You right up front, that if you happen to go Off a Marked Trail and happen to get stuck, you may end up spending the night, and that it will cost approximately &500.00 to have a Tow Truck come out and pull you out of the muck you got stuck in.

This is precisely why I have a winch, and why everyone who off-roads should have one. The cost of getting towed in the middle of nowhere is quite steep to say the least!

 

[PStov98TJ]

This is precisely why I have a winch, and why everyone who off-roads should have one. The cost of getting towed in the middle of nowhere is quite steep to say the least!

Get a winch and never wheel alone if at all possible. Rules to live by.

 

[Chris]

Get a winch and never wheel alone if at all possible. Rules to live by.

Yep, amen to that!

 

[Serbonze]

Just thought that I would add to this discussion since I just bought a Viair compressor. I considered an on-board air option, but I really liked the ability to take the Viair with me in any vehicle. Having it on road trips will be a great option.

I originally bought the 400P like Chris has. I got it home and tested it out, and after one fill up I realized that it wasn't the right model for me. I quickly found that the compressor never shuts off, so the only way to get a pressure reading is to remove the clamp from the valve stem and use another pressure gauge or walk back to the compressor, shut it off, back to the tire to get a reading, back to the compressor to turn it back on, then back to the tire. I'm very lazy, and I just knew that I would eventually get frustrated by either of those two options so I returned it.

A call to Viair solved the issue, as they recommended the 400P-Automatic. That unit shuts off once it reaches 145psi, and uses a standard style inflation gun. It was only $20 more and still provides the same 2.3CFM.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X9B32M/?tag=wranglerorg-20