I watched a video on this unit. The guy did a torture test on it. He aired up a tire to 160 psi (using a 15 ah battery) and the pump never shut off. Took like 20 minutes to get there but it did it. Pretty impressive!
Portable Air Compressor
- Thread starter Jerry713
- Start date
Camper_bob
Senior Member
I watched that video just now. LOL!! That guy is CRAZY! Did you see all the cracks in that tire?! I can't believe it didn't explode!
Pretty darn impressive compressor performance though. I couldn't find the CFM rating anywhere, including on DeWalt's site or in the documentation on their site...
Some compressors claim “continuous duty” they are higher priced but definitely worth the money. I’ve never had one that operates with the seven pin connector. Do they have a provision to keep the trailer lights and flashers working?
craigav
Senior Member
An item to note that I haven't seen mentioned. When you use a small tankless compressor such as what has been discussed, you can and likely will get water in the tires especially if there is high humidity in the air when you use the compressor.
The difference is that any compressor with an air tank (even a small tank) is that as the air is heated due to compression that the holding tank will allows for most of the moisture to condense and collect into the bottom of the tank and as the air to the tire(s) comes from the top of the tank, it will be much drier. This is why you have to drain the compressor tank after a period of usage and when you do you will often find quite a bit of water has accumulated.
With a small portable tankless compressor, 100% of the water that would have been condensed in the air tank will go into your tire(s). This moisture can accumulate to become enough water in the tire to cause balance issues, rust with steel wheels, and reports of TPMS damage. In addition, the air pressure in the tire will have a higher pressure delta between a cold and hot tire. Once you have water in the tire, it is close to impossible to remove it without dismounting the tire.
My suggestion and what I do is use my portable (or shop non-portable) tank style compressor to air up the tires prior to any trip or as a routine and use the tankless portable battery compressors only as required. Unless you have a leak, you shouldn't really need to add air too often although a little loss over time is common. ~CA
The difference is that any compressor with an air tank (even a small tank) is that as the air is heated due to compression that the holding tank will allows for most of the moisture to condense and collect into the bottom of the tank and as the air to the tire(s) comes from the top of the tank, it will be much drier. This is why you have to drain the compressor tank after a period of usage and when you do you will often find quite a bit of water has accumulated.
With a small portable tankless compressor, 100% of the water that would have been condensed in the air tank will go into your tire(s). This moisture can accumulate to become enough water in the tire to cause balance issues, rust with steel wheels, and reports of TPMS damage. In addition, the air pressure in the tire will have a higher pressure delta between a cold and hot tire. Once you have water in the tire, it is close to impossible to remove it without dismounting the tire.
My suggestion and what I do is use my portable (or shop non-portable) tank style compressor to air up the tires prior to any trip or as a routine and use the tankless portable battery compressors only as required. Unless you have a leak, you shouldn't really need to add air too often although a little loss over time is common. ~CA
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I needed to air up tires last year, and I bought this:
www.harborfreight.com
It fints in a compartment space with other stuff and can me used for other thigs as the need arises.
Good Luck!
3 Gallon, 110 PSI Oil-Free Light-Duty Hot Dog Air Compressor
Amazing deals on this 3Gal 1/3Hp 110Psi Oil-Free Compressor at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
It fints in a compartment space with other stuff and can me used for other thigs as the need arises.
Good Luck!
Camper_bob
Senior Member
Interesting!
I wonder what the off-roading community would have to say regarding this? There are guys who will air up/down several times per day. Those guys most commonly run a dual-piston compressor that is mounted in the vehicle (under the seat or in the engine bay), and often use hose setups that will inflate all 4 tires at the same time. Then there are the "weekenders" like me who might do the cycle once a day, maybe a few times a year...
jimmoore13
Senior Member
I'm going to join the ViAir crowd. This is my choice.
Why? Simple. It runs on your TV or RV battery. It isn't just "rated" for 120 PSI, it can actually produce that. The pump is metal, not plastic. And here's the kicker. It can draw up to 23 AMPS when pumping. The pump actually consumes an appropriate level of power to produce the pressures it's designed for.
Some cigarette lighter or Lithium Ion battery simply cannot deliver that kind of power. Most of the battery and cigarette lighter powered pumps employ magical thinking when citing their specs.
Case in point. A camping neighbor had two leaky tires. One on his rig and one on his TV. His half-ton pickup only needed about 35 PSI in the passenger front tire. He had a brand name battery powered compressor/jump starter. It gave up at about 22 PSI. It kept running and trying, but his tire pressure stopped a 22 PSI. I brought over my ViAir, and it took about 90 seconds to finish the job. As for the RV tires, fuggedaboudit. Mine run 65 PSI. So did his. His battery powered joke stopped at, you guessed it, 22 PSI. That's it, that's all.
I bought my ViAir in 2015...yes, it's 10 years old. I've loaned it far more than I've used it, but it has saved me several times. It's quite small, and it lives in its own bag in a corner of my bed-mounted tool box/trunk.
But what if the cable's not long enough you ask? Your jumper cables make a great extension cord. Just clamp one alligator clip to the insulation on the other cable lead...as you might when setting up a jump... connect to your battery, then clip the leads of the ViAir to the clamps on the end of the jumper. Instant heavy gauge lead cord. Don't have jumpers? Shame on you.
These are the real deal. Honest to God air compressors. Mine is on the cheap side for ViAir, but it's all I need and has served me well for a decade. Read the specs on mine. Note that it has only a 15% duty cycle...even considering its quality. Now imagine some plastic pump trying to reach 100 PSI. Ain't happenin'. Or if it does, it will only happen a couple of times before total meltdown.
PS. At home I have a 30 gallon, 175 PSI modest homeowner's compressor I use to winterize with air. A moderately decent pump combined with the 30 gallon tank make for high CFM at 40 to 50 PSI continuously for blowing out the lines. But it ain't portable by any stretch. I used to have a pancake, and I could winterize my popup with it if I was VERY patient. The ViAir is super small and portable. The 30 gallon job is a real workhorse for the garage.
Why? Simple. It runs on your TV or RV battery. It isn't just "rated" for 120 PSI, it can actually produce that. The pump is metal, not plastic. And here's the kicker. It can draw up to 23 AMPS when pumping. The pump actually consumes an appropriate level of power to produce the pressures it's designed for.
Some cigarette lighter or Lithium Ion battery simply cannot deliver that kind of power. Most of the battery and cigarette lighter powered pumps employ magical thinking when citing their specs.
Case in point. A camping neighbor had two leaky tires. One on his rig and one on his TV. His half-ton pickup only needed about 35 PSI in the passenger front tire. He had a brand name battery powered compressor/jump starter. It gave up at about 22 PSI. It kept running and trying, but his tire pressure stopped a 22 PSI. I brought over my ViAir, and it took about 90 seconds to finish the job. As for the RV tires, fuggedaboudit. Mine run 65 PSI. So did his. His battery powered joke stopped at, you guessed it, 22 PSI. That's it, that's all.
I bought my ViAir in 2015...yes, it's 10 years old. I've loaned it far more than I've used it, but it has saved me several times. It's quite small, and it lives in its own bag in a corner of my bed-mounted tool box/trunk.
But what if the cable's not long enough you ask? Your jumper cables make a great extension cord. Just clamp one alligator clip to the insulation on the other cable lead...as you might when setting up a jump... connect to your battery, then clip the leads of the ViAir to the clamps on the end of the jumper. Instant heavy gauge lead cord. Don't have jumpers? Shame on you.
These are the real deal. Honest to God air compressors. Mine is on the cheap side for ViAir, but it's all I need and has served me well for a decade. Read the specs on mine. Note that it has only a 15% duty cycle...even considering its quality. Now imagine some plastic pump trying to reach 100 PSI. Ain't happenin'. Or if it does, it will only happen a couple of times before total meltdown.
PS. At home I have a 30 gallon, 175 PSI modest homeowner's compressor I use to winterize with air. A moderately decent pump combined with the 30 gallon tank make for high CFM at 40 to 50 PSI continuously for blowing out the lines. But it ain't portable by any stretch. I used to have a pancake, and I could winterize my popup with it if I was VERY patient. The ViAir is super small and portable. The 30 gallon job is a real workhorse for the garage.
lol he’s more brave than me. That tire should’ve blown and demolished his compressor in the process
craigav
Senior Member
I suspect those that off-road, especially those with the larger tires and modified suspensions don't worry about having a perfect balance and smooth ride down the highway. I have taken my stock 4x4 into Moab and other places in the area and lowered the pressure in the mornings and aired them back up in the afternoons before hitting the road and the air seems to be a lot drier all around (in that area) but especially in the afternoons. I grew up in Louisiana where the larger off-roading trucks were often in the mud along with high humidity areas and it was common to break down the tires every so often and remove the water. ~CA
billcf7
Senior Member
I have Viair 450P RV which has a 100 % duty cycle at 100 PSI and max.150 PSI. The best portable air compressor I have ever had
Camper_bob
Senior Member
Meant to throw this out there as an option I've been considering as well:
Central Pneumatic 5-Gal Air Tank
Central Pneumatic 5-Gal Air Tank
Happy wife / happy life
Senior Member
I have had my air tank for about 20 years. I’ve used it once. My son called and said” Dad I have a flat tire and no spare “. It worked. I really don’t have the storage room in my baby TT. I bought the compressor about four years ago , haven’t had to use it. It takes up very little space.
Attachments
The feedback on this forum is awesome! I sure appreciate all the feedback and information! For those who haven’t followed the thread I purchased a battery powered Milwaukee M18 air compressors my solution. While it performed fine I learned after the purchase if you don’t buy a Milwaukee product from an authorized retailer (unlike Amazon) there is NO Warranty. Since I bought mine from Amazon and therefore no warranty is included I was not on board with this so I returned the Milwaukee and ordered a Vaiar 88p with the 7 pin connector. I clearly understand Viair makes a great portable inflator. My issue is having to connect to the vehicle battery. For me and that’s not something I want to do. A cordless air compressor would be much more appealing to me than having to connect to the battery keeping in mind it light it be ideal situations when having to do so. I’m anxious to get my new Viair portable air compressor and will report back as soon as possible with my results.
SJ Communicator
Advanced Member
I would take that one further up the ladder! Maybe you just got a power drunk box checker. Maybe I'm lucky as I have a authorized Milwaukee tool repair shop very near where I live. Every M12 or M18 I have ever brought there 1st thing they look at is the date in the serial number. If it's less than 5 years they put a ticket on it and repair it. If it's older than 5 years they will give me a price of repair and I can decide whether it's worth repairing or just replace it. But never never ever have I been asked where I bought the tool. I have bought from Amazon, Home Depot, Northern Tool, Colony Hardware, Ace, Toolnut directly from Milwaukee etc. Maybe you should see if you have an authorized Milwaukee tool repair shop near you. They might be just like my guys...
Later that day I did call their customer service. I talked to a representative and she told me I can still send in a tool for a warranty claim. But if they ask for proof of purchase (they’re supposed to) when they see Amazon as the purchase retailer the warranty is automatically declined. Again this is for sending in a tool as there are no repair centers within 100 miles where I live.
I’m not trying to change your opinion you don’t have to believe me. I’m just relaying what I was told. Personally I’m done with Milwaukee. I won’t support a company that chooses who to give warranties to and who not to give warranties to. I can still buy Dewalt tools from Amazon or wherever and get their full manufacturer warranty.
Air tanks have their place, and can be a life saver, but realize (this tank as an example) can be pressurized to 125 psi per their spec. The pressure between the tire and tank will equalize at 62 1/2 psi., then it will need to be filled again. They're great if there's a large enough air compressor nearby to refill it again. The one in my garage is a 3 HP 240 volt 30 gallon tank, and compresses to 130 psi max. If the tank was filled and wasn't turned on. I could fill a portable tank to only 65 psi.
Camper_bob
Senior Member
Yup, totally recognize that. But I would use it by attaching my portable compressor to it, so it could act a bit like a 5-gallon compressor setup. Then I wouldn't quite need so much compressor to get some decent performance and a "head start" on topping off my All Terrains...
In my situation, with my little Viair 88P that I use to reinflate after an off-road excursion, this might be just the ticket to make that process a bit more efficient, and at a lower cost than picking up a new, decent twin-piston 12V unit.
Sure, a 30-gallon compressor would be great, especially if you use pneumatic tools regularly in a shop, but that's not at all a "portable" solution in any way.
Sure isn't...unless you wanted to mount a gas engine powered one in the back of one of your toads.
Camper_bob
Senior Member
Sure isn't...unless you wanted to mount a gas engine powered one in the back of one of your toads.
LOL!!
Well, now wait a minute... you might be onto something there!
SJ Communicator
Advanced Member
I was not trying to imply I didn't believe you. I was just sharing with you that if one door closes look for an open window lol.With big conglomerates some will follow the play book to the letter and some will be more forgiving or down right helpful. Usually when I get an answer I don't agree with from big companies (never my wife! Lol) I will aske to either speak with someone else or a maager. Cutomer service & Customer staifaction is becoming harder and harder to find. However if one is persistent enough one usually gets their way. It's too bad your so far away from a Milwaukee repair facility. I know I'm lucky as the repair shop I use is almost 3 miles from me. My self personally love Milwaukee stuff, Dewalt is on par as well. In all honesty eveyone makes a decent tool. Where the rubber meets the road is batteries & Chargers. I think Milwaukee is number 1 when it comes to that Dewalt close 2nd...
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