Portable Air Compressors

[PurdellMGP]

Hey guys,

I am headed to Cape Cod in August camping for a week. During that time I will be on the beaches with my truck.
I wanted to get a portable aircompressor that will fill my tires up fairly quickly.
Currently running 33" but may be running 35" shortly.

What do you recommend for a good price point compressor?

Thanks for your help.

[Cactus Red]

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... yword=mv50

The Q Industries MV50 has been the "best bang for the buck" compressor for years. At well under a hundred bucks, you can't go wrong. We have used one for both my wife's Tacoma and now the Jeep. We bought it in '05, so it's seen plenty of use.

As far as I can tell it works just as well as my ViAir 400P, and it even looks similar except for the color. A 35" tire is about the limit for either of those compressors. It takes me about 4 minutes a tire to go from 18 PSI back to 45 PSI.

[MSparks909]

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... yword=mv50

The Q Industries MV50 has been the "best bang for the buck" compressor for years. At well under a hundred bucks, you can't go wrong. We have used one for both my wife's Tacoma and now the Jeep. We bought it in '05, so it's seen plenty of use.

As far as I can tell it works just as well as my ViAir 400P, and it even looks similar except for the color. A 35" tire is about the limit for either of those compressors. It takes me about 4 minutes a tire to go from 18 PSI back to 45 PSI.

Kind of a hijack but what OBA system would you recommend for 37" tires? I'm tired of carrying around my pancake 5hp air compressor chained to the bed of the truck whenever I go off-road. I usually just use an extension cord and plug it into the wall outlets at gas stations. Works fine but wouldn't mind adding a dedicated OBA system to the truck. Would also like if it could run air tools as well. Am I asking too much? I can fit a tank where my spare tire used to be if need be.

[Ken G.]

I've been a big fan of the Powertank. It has served me well for lots of years. Got it for when I had my CJ and it now rides on my Load Warrior bed rack on my Power Wagon. The PT-10 can handle up to 20 35" tires, from 10 back up to 40 psi. It can also run air tools. The PT-15 is even better, especially if you are running 37s. Easily refilled with liquid CO2 at your local welding shop for around $25. It's very safe, since it releases as inert gas. I like that it is very portable, as well....you can let a buddy carry it over to his truck and not have to pull right next to him.

[Cactus Red]

Kind of a hijack but what OBA system would you recommend for 37" tires? I'm tired of carrying around my pancake 5hp air compressor chained to the bed of the truck whenever I go off-road. I usually just use an extension cord and plug it into the wall outlets at gas stations. Works fine but wouldn't mind adding a dedicated OBA system to the truck. Would also like if it could run air tools as well. Am I asking too much? I can fit a tank where my spare tire used to be if need be.

How much do you want to spend?

Retro fitting a York AC compressor is the best, or one of the big ExtremeAIr will run air tools. I haven't used or seen one of the new Warn compressors, but they should do the trick.

http://www.extremeoutback.com/products/ ... ssors.html

Power Tanks work great, but have a high reoccuring cost. I had a 20 lb CO2 system in my trail beater, and with 35" tire would get between 18 to 22 air ups from 8 PSI to 22 PSI (that was my street pressure on the Toyota). Figure about half that or less with a 37" tire going up to higher pressure.Refilling the tank ram me about $18.00 via a tank exchange at my local welding supply shop. There is also the storage problem - they are big. I mounted mine to the flatbed on the truck.

[Ducky's Dad]

Kind of a hijack but what OBA system would you recommend for 37" tires?

For me, the Warn SPI was a no-brainer. I have posted some pics and details on the other board and can point you to them if you are interested. I mounted mine in my 3G between the radiator and the grill, and it fits like a glove. The biggest advantages of the SPI, other than lots of air whenever you need it, are that there is NO plumbing and NO tank required, and it doesn't take up any otherwise useful space. The discontinued Warn VTC is too big to fit behind the grill, but I think somebody (TwinStick?) has one mounted in his tool box. I tried to get an Oasis to mount behind the grill but I couldn't find one at a decent price and the fit was going to be dicey. I didn't want to be stuck with a $1400 compressor that I couldn't fit into the available space. The SPI was about $500 from QuadraTec a couple of years ago. Warn had lots of excess inventory and they were trying to move some out, but that may have changed.

[Ducky's Dad]

I just found the "Upload Attachment" tab, so let's try this. Should be three pics below of the Warn SPI installed in my '05.

Edit: Not the pics I wanted, but the top two are the mount that I fabbed to support the compressor. Will try again with pics of the compressor.

[Ducky's Dad]

Trying again for compressor pics.

[azracer]

This is what I picked up and it seems to do fine for my limited needs. I do not air down most of the time (I still like to go fast) but when I do air down it takes not much more than 3min to go from 15 to 42psi per tire on my 35" Yokohamas and I can live with that. It is not a monster but for my limited needs I'm happy with it. Gauge is about 3psi low but otherwise it works well. There are mods folks do that can be found on jeep forums to improve performance and expand the areas you can use it. Out of the box mine will due for now. However my first mod will be to change out the quick couplers to the ones I use for my air tools.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BM ... 01_s00_i00

[RustyPW]

I've had the Q50 since '09 with no problems. Mine will air up my 35's in about 5~6 minutes each. It does get hot at the quick release fitting on the pump. The hose is just long enough to reach all 4 tires on the PW. Got mine from Target on-line for $49.00. Now firerescure is now his 3rd one. The first 2 he bought had issues from the start.

[azracer]

I've had the Q50 since '09 with no problems. Mine will air up my 35's in about 5~6 minutes each. It does get hot at the quick release fitting on the pump. The hose is just long enough to reach all 4 tires on the PW. Got mine from Target on-line for $49.00. Now firerescure is now his 3rd one. The first 2 he bought had issues from the start.

Yup thats what I got and it was $49 no tax and free shipping when I got mine. Looks like they have gone up in price a little (what hasn't? )

[FirerescuePW]

I've had the Q50 since '09 with no problems. Mine will air up my 35's in about 5~6 minutes each. It does get hot at the quick release fitting on the pump. The hose is just long enough to reach all 4 tires on the PW. Got mine from Target on-line for $49.00. Now firerescure is now his 3rd one. The first 2 he bought had issues from the start.

Russ is right. I bought mine at Pep Boys. The first one had a blocked hose. The compressor was fine, but the pressure wouldn't pass through the hose. The second one quit before the 2nd tire was full and never started again. The 3rd seems to be just fine.:-? It is pretty quick, for it's size.

Sent from over here...

[verdesardog]

I just ordered a Q50 to replace a little pos coleman that I've had for about 20 years...maybe I'll actually air down my tires when I go off road now LOL

[verdesardog]

I got my Q50 today, it looks like a nice tool. It's raining out now so I'll have to wait to try it out.

[verdesardog]

WOW is all I can say1 This compressor out performs the old one I had at by least 300%. One thing I like about it is that it has an on/off switch mounted right in the end panel. Before opening the package I bought an inline switch, now I don't have to install it. It was well worth the price of under $60.00 from amazon.....


One bad thing though is the pressure gauge is all fogged up I can't realy cant read the pressure, I might replace it ...or just leave it I use an external gauge anyway.

[verdesardog]

The big brown truck came today to pickup the defective unit. Now waiting for the replacement....

[FirerescuePW]

Defective? What happened? Was it replaced due to the gauge?

[RustyPW]

The big brown truck came today to pickup the defective unit. Now waiting for the replacement....

What happen?

[verdesardog]

The pressure gauge was all fogged up couldn't read it at all. At first I was going to just keep it but while trying to post a comment I decided to return it since amazon would schedule a pickup. The defective one is gone and a replacement is on the way....

[FirerescuePW]

Ah. Better that way. You paid for new.

They are pretty fast for their size. And the duty cycle is high, as well. At least for a small, inexpensive unit.

[verdesardog]

WOW! Tallk about quick replacement! UPS just picked up the defective one yesterday and the new one arrived by USPS today. I'm a happy camper now.

[RustyPW]

Damn, that was quick! Make sure this one works too!

[verdesardog]

the new one works fine but has the same problem as the one I returned. After removing the stupid label from the face of the gauge it fogs up. Reaction with the adhesive? adhesive reamining on the face of the gauge? I don't know but it wont come off with "goof off" so I polished the plasitic enough that I can read the gauge.

[FirerescuePW]

That's odd. I don't think there was a sticker on mine. If there was, and if I took it off, nothing happened. Not sure what to suggest, as anything harsh will damage the lens and make it hard to see through, thus no better than what you have. I assume the lens is plastic? Maybe a headlight restorer?

[Ducky's Dad]

After removing the stupid label from the face of the gauge it fogs up.

Is it fogging up from the inside or the outside? If it is "fog" that means some kind of vapor that should evaporate, so I'm guessing you are referring to something else. If it's on the outside and not some kind of liquid, try polishing the face of the gauge with automotive cleaner wax (something like Turtle Wax with a mild abrasive). Are you sure the Goof Off is not damaging the surface of the plastic? Best (safest) thing for removing adhesive labels is usually WD-40.