Battery powered air inflators

[tom.mary.glad]

Has anyone used one of these for airing up? Any good?

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[22EcoDs]

Skip the battery powered ones , go right to the vehicle battery. Runtime and battery use become a issue on larger tires with the handheld units.

 

[jac04]

Those small inflators are good for adjusting tire pressure, but not airing up.

My bother-in-law has this cordless unit and it is awesome for airing up:

https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcc2560t1/60v-max-flexvoltr-25-gallon-cordless-air-compressor-kit

 

[ShadowsPapa]

What is the run time? Enough to inflate a typical tire in an emergency?

For anything cordless, I'd have 2 batteries and keep one on a charger plugged into the inverter.

This might be handy if you pick up a nail and plug your tire - and need to inflate it to get back on the road.

But it would, yes, seem to be a bit small in capacity to air up 4 large tires after being in the sticks and rocks for the day.

 

[tom.mary.glad]

Thanks to all. I figured it was too easy and cheap of a solution.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Deduct 10 points for using "cheap", "easy" in a Jeep place.

 

[alpineovernappa]

I have a Ryobi P747 and an ARB CKMP12. 95% of the time I use the Ryobi. If you buy a ryobi, don't get the model you've listed as its one step up from a kid's toy, go straight for the P747 which is routinely around $45-50 on sale.

Ryobi P747 (~$50):
One duty cycle is enough to inflate a 35x12.5 tire from 10psi to 35psi (think roadside plug and inflate)
One duty cycle is enough to add 5-8 PSI to all 4 tires when you change temps or altitude
One duty cycle is about 5 minutes (it will run longer, but you risk overheating it)
You set the PSI on the pump and just press start. It auto shuts off and is pretty darn accurate.
Will also inflate your air mattress/water toys/etc and does a hell of a job getting wet wood to ignite as an air pump

ARB CKMP12(~$400):
Runs off of alligator clips to the car battery, so it inflates faster than the Ryobi
Portable between any 12v rigs (vs hardwired to the Jeep)
Can also run small pneumatic tools.
Will easily inflate 4 35x12.5 tires from 10 psi to 35 psi without overheating

I own both because I use the Ryobi for all situations that don't involve airing up all 4 tires from 10-35, but I also air down for the sand enough to want the ARB for that purpose (vs waiting 30 minutes for the ryobi to fill and cool between cycles). If I had to only own one, it would definitely be the Ryobi.

 

[tom.mary.glad]

I have a Ryobi P747 and an ARB CKMP12. 95% of the time I use the Ryobi. If you buy a ryobi, don't get the model you've listed as its one step up from a kid's toy, go straight for the P747 which is routinely around $45-50 on sale.

Ryobi P747 (~$50):
One duty cycle is enough to inflate a 35x12.5 tire from 10psi to 35psi (think roadside plug and inflate)
One duty cycle is enough to add 5-8 PSI to all 4 tires when you change temps or altitude
One duty cycle is about 5 minutes (it will run longer, but you risk overheating it)
You set the PSI on the pump and just press start. It auto shuts off and is pretty darn accurate.
Will also inflate your air mattress/water toys/etc and does a hell of a job getting wet wood to ignite as an air pump

ARB CKMP12(~$400):
Runs off of alligator clips to the car battery, so it inflates faster than the Ryobi
Portable between any 12v rigs (vs hardwired to the Jeep)
Can also run small pneumatic tools.
Will easily inflate 4 35x12.5 tires from 10 psi to 35 psi without overheating

I own both because I use the Ryobi for all situations that don't involve airing up all 4 tires from 10-35, but I also air down for the sand enough to want the ARB for that purpose (vs waiting 30 minutes for the ryobi to fill and cool between cycles). If I had to only own one, it would definitely be the Ryobi.

@alpineovernappa

How about this one?

 

[alpineovernappa]

@alpineovernappa

How about this one?

That's the P747 I have listed. I'd suggest at least a 4ah battery for it. Here's a better price

https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com/product/P747

The 2ah battery will probably only get you ~20-30 total psi before its out of juice. I keep a 9ah battery in mine in the truck 24/7 and I've never been short on power, but that's a pretty expensive battery.

 

[tom.mary.glad]

That's the P747 I have listed. I'd suggest at least a 4ah battery for it. Here's a better price

https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com/product/P747

The 2ah battery will probably only get you ~20-30 total psi before its out of juice. I keep a 9ah battery in mine in the truck 24/7 and I've never been short on power, but that's a pretty expensive battery.

THANKS! I thought Ryobi was exclusive through Home Depot.

 

[alpineovernappa]

THANKS! I thought Ryobi was exclusive through Home Depot.

Not sure. The P747 is also on amazon for a couple more bucks than the link I sent. Ive used direct tools outlet a few times with mostly good experience. Only issues I've had were with their reconditioned batteries and tools. The factory blemished stuff all looks and functions as new. Ryobi stuff tends to get real cheap around black friday and cyber monday if you aren't in a hurry.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Thanks to all. I figured it was too easy and cheap of a solution.

You can do it fine with battery options. As others have said, keep a couple of batteries with you. The only disadvantage is speed of inflation. But it absolutely works. I did it that way for a long time.

 

[Mr.Wilson]

I’ve got the Ridgid portable air compressor. Runs on batteries or plugs into your vehicle. Works great!


https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18V-Cordless-Digital-Inflator-Tool-Only-R87044/313257505

 

[BearFootSam]

I purchased a Viar 90P two years ago after using a box store black and decker 12v compressor for about ten years. The B&D was alow quality but lasted nearly a decade before the pump rings must have worn out, and it started taking longer and longer to fill a tire.

@alpineovernapa posted a $400 ARB but I'll say, frankly, unless you are using the compressor day in and day out year after year, I'd bet a $100 the $100 Vair I bought will match it.

You vehicle has a built in charging system and battery (x2) so it makes sense to leverage that power to run a compressor. If you are concerned about draining the battery just make sure the engine is running before using the compressor and you can take advantage of the high-output alternator that comes with the gladiator. Adding the additional complexity and cost of rechargeable batteries doesn't benefit you much. 120v is handy, but if you are mostly inflating your vehicle tires, it doesn't take much time to pop the hood and attach two alligator clips to the battery terminals. Especially since we don't need to open the jeep to pop the hood if you just need a few psi each.

Check reviews on wirecutter or another reliable site and see who makes a decent-quality compressor. From my reading, Vair is well-regarded in the space and makes decent-quality products. While we are all tempted to go for the best, if you end up spending more on equipment and upgrades than you do going out on the trail and enjoying the world you may be missing the point. There is something satisfying about finding the solution that fits the need to spec, nothing more, nothing less. Kind of like the 3.6 pentastar.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I purchased a Viar 90P two years ago after using a box store black and decker 12v compressor for about ten years. The B&D was alow quality but lasted nearly a decade before the pump rings must have worn out, and it started taking longer and longer to fill a tire.

@alpineovernapa posted a $400 ARB but I'll say, frankly, unless you are using the compressor day in and day out year after year, I'd bet a $100 the $100 Vair I bought will match it.

You vehicle has a built in charging system and battery (x2) so it makes sense to leverage that power to run a compressor. If you are concerned about draining the battery just make sure the engine is running before using the compressor and you can take advantage of the high-output alternator that comes with the gladiator. Adding the additional complexity and cost of rechargeable batteries doesn't benefit you much. 120v is handy, but if you are mostly inflating your vehicle tires, it doesn't take much time to pop the hood and attach two alligator clips to the battery terminals. Especially since we don't need to open the jeep to pop the hood if you just need a few psi each.

Check reviews on wirecutter or another reliable site and see who makes a decent-quality compressor. From my reading, Vair is well-regarded in the space and makes decent-quality products. While we are all tempted to go for the best, if you end up spending more on equipment and upgrades than you do going out on the trail and enjoying the world you may be missing the point. There is something satisfying about finding the solution that fits the need to spec, nothing more, nothing less. Kind of like the 3.6 pentastar.

I plan on not using cheap clips, but putting a plug on the end that would take advantage of the power at the trailer plug. There's 12v + and - back there at all times.
I would also up the idle speed a bit if using a large compressor. This can be done with tazer, or jscan.

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