Recommendations 12v air compressor

[pvstoy]

I'm glad somebody mentioned Puma (Thom). I have had one mounted in the 4 Runner since 2009 and has worked flawlessly. 100% duty cycle. Divorced the motor/compressor from the tank. Even ran a 3/8 impact to take off lug nuts on wife's car, tank is small so runs out of air after 4 nuts.

I like it so much I bought a second one for the Dodge Ram with 60/70 psi tires. It has no problem airing those back up from 35 to 70 psi.

It would be good to have a look if you don't mind spending a little more money. Bought from Buzzard Gulch they also have a E-Bay store. There are two pictured, try to get the one without the nose snout, which is a air cleaner that sticks out. The other one is flush air cleaner. I believe all the ones sold is the flush air cleaner but check with them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Puma-1006-12-Volt-Hot-Dog-1-5-Gallon-Oil-Less-Air-Compressor-Free-Shipping-/383238977399?hash=item593ad2b777


http://www.buzzardgulch.com/opencart/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=4239&search=puma&sort=relevance&order=DESC

 

[craig333]

46 amps? I had a tank in my Jeep, bigger than that one. I removed it. Empties so fast as to not be worth it.

 

[ntsqd]

It is a big compressor, claim varies on seller between it being a 1 HP motor and a 3/4 HP motor. So yes, it pulls some current and is not really suited to being portable. Much better when used as a vehicle mounted OBA source.

I too had to divorce the compressor from the tank to get it to fit under an '88 4rnnr. Tank is above the spare, compressor on a bracket on the frame next to the muffler (with heat shielding). I wanted the external intake air filter so that I could remote mount it out of the debris spray. Big capped-off fitting is where the air filter hose now attaches to.

In the background can see the gigavac contactor for the compressor, the ARB solenoid repurposed to be the blow-off valve so the compressor doesn't start dead-headed (original switch had this feature, but I couldn't make it fit). Also note the spacers that space down the spare 5/8" to create room for the tank to sit on top of the spars and the high tech strap clamps holding the tank to the spars.

I've been messing around with this as OBA for the Bronc-up for a long time. Probably should finish it and try to get it qualified. It could pull as much as 200A when running, but I doubt that it will.

 

[Zoomad]

I've been running the large Smittybuilt compressor for a while now. I've hard mounted it under the hood of my K5 and set it up as an OBA system with a 3 gallon tank under the core support.

I've got it set up on a switch in the cab with a relay working with a pressure switch at the tank to shut the compressor off at 120psi and kick back on when it drops below 90psi. You can also see the gauge I added inside to see where the tank is sitting at.

Compared to an ARB twin, it's not nearly as fast. I will say this, despite the slower speed it's always done the job. If I fill the tank a half hour or so before we stop to air up, the compressor has a chance to cool and I can usually get the first tire up to 35-40 psi from 18-20psi in a few minutes. I'm running 35" tires also. I'll let the tank volume recover before moving on to the next tire. Typically it will take about 20 minutes to fill all 4.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Good point Rob. It takes about the same amount of time for my Viair, although my highway pressures are typically greater. I use those minutes to check out the truck after coming off what is usually washboard. It’s a good time to debrief and plan for the next phase if traveling with a group.

 

[smlobx]

A little late to this discussion but I have this Klutch portable compressor and have been very happy with it. I inflate my truck tires up to 80 psi without any issues. The only thing I have done is to replace the battery wire with a larger gauge wire and make it about 10 feet longer so I can air up my trailer tires if needed.
Another point is that I believe a portable unit, that is not permanently mounted in your truck, is a better option in case someone else needs to use it and you can’t get close enough..

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200672535_200672535

you can often find these on sale also.

 

[Vic Harder]

A little late to this discussion but I have this Klutch portable compressor and have been very happy with it. I inflate my truck tires up to 80 psi without any issues. The only thing I have done is to replace the battery wire with a larger gauge wire and make it about 10 feet longer so I can air up my trailer tires if needed.
Another point is that I believe a portable unit, that is not permanently mounted in your truck, is a better option in case someone else needs to use it and you can’t get close enough..

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200672535_200672535
you can often find these on sale also.

wow, thanks for this link. That Klutch compressor is a beast compared to the Viar 450p. According to both manufacturers:

At 40 PSI, the Klutch puts out 3.35 CFM, the 450p only 1.39 CFM
At 90 PSI, the Klutch puts out 1.94 CFM, the 450p only 0.97 CFM.

Granted the 450p is a 100% duty cycle unit, the Klutch only 40% or so. But with CFM's like those, I doubt most of us would run into an issue on the duty cycle.

 

[smlobx]

wow, thanks for this link. That Klutch compressor is a beast compared to the Viar 450p. According to both manufacturers:

At 40 PSI, the Klutch puts out 3.35 CFM, the 450p only 1.39 CFM
At 90 PSI, the Klutch puts out 1.94 CFM, the 450p only 0.97 CFM.

Granted the 450p is a 100% duty cycle unit, the Klutch only 40% or so. But with CFM's like those, I doubt most of us would run into an issue on the duty cycle.

Exactly.
I’m running 295/65R20’s on my F-350 and the compressor can inflate all 4 tires from about 30 to 65/75 psi without shutting off.

 

[kimosawboy]

Do any of the larger automakers offer a camshaft driven air compressor???

 

[ntsqd]

Back in the day you could pull a spark plug, screw in an adapter, and use one engine cylinder to fill your tires. Not recommended with a late model.

I did not time it, but the Puma in the 4rnnr brought it's 31's back up to 30psi from ~20psi AND a pair of 35's back up to ~30 psi (no idea what they started at) in I'd guess under a 1/2 hour. It was only slightly slower at filling a 35 than was the Sanden A/C compressor used by the guy filling up the other two 35's.

 

[WjColdWater]

I had know idea there were all these options! Thanks to all for the recommendations.

 

[Zoomad]

A little late to this discussion but I have this Klutch portable compressor and have been very happy with it. I inflate my truck tires up to 80 psi without any issues. The only thing I have done is to replace the battery wire with a larger gauge wire and make it about 10 feet longer so I can air up my trailer tires if needed.
Another point is that I believe a portable unit, that is not permanently mounted in your truck, is a better option in case someone else needs to use it and you can’t get close enough..

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200672535_200672535
you can often find these on sale also.

There are at least 5 other variants of the same compressor available on Amazon alone. Same shape, size, style and output. All that differs is the name and color on the case.

The big Smittybuilt:
https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2781-5-65-Universal-Compressor/dp/B004K25GMG/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=12v+offroad+compressor&qid=1575172432&sr=8-2

GSPSCN:
https://www.amazon.com/GSPSCN-Portable-Inflator-Compressor-Inflatables/dp/B07MMMKNWX/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=12v+offroad+compressor&qid=1575172622&sr=8-5

Skull Off Road:
https://www.amazon.com/SKULL-OFF-ROAD-Compressor-Inflator/dp/B07KBV863W/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=12v+offroad+compressor&qid=1575172622&sr=8-10


Superflow MV-9012
https://www.amazon.com/SuperFlow-Compressor-Portable-Inflator-Vehicles/dp/B001RCTV46/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=12v+offroad+compressor&qid=1575172622&sr=8-17

Cong Rui:
https://www.amazon.com/Cong-Rui-Portable-Air-Compressor/dp/B07ZXKWXYM/ref=sr_1_62?keywords=12v+offroad+compressor&qid=1575172812&sr=8-62

Another variant through TuffStuff Offroad:
https://tuffstuff4x4.com/products/tuff-stuff%C2%AE-xtreme-portable-offroad-compressor-150-psi-565-cfm?_pos=2&_sid=e563d9fa5&_ss=r


These are all probably built in the same factory in China somewhere and just get different colors based on what company asked for a version of their own. They are not 100% duty cycle units for sure. My Smittybuilt gets the job done, but nowhere nearly as quick as a 100% duty cycle ARB twin. But for the cost, mine has seemed to be fairly durable. Much more durable than the MV-50 superflow I had before.

One word of note on this style. The hose that comes with it is garbage. But the quick disconnect fitting is an oddball size that does not fit standard air hose fittings. I removed it and added a hose to connect my compressor to my air tank. If I remember right the fitting to the compressor is a normal 1/4" pipe fitting. I just removed the fitting and added a nipple with the 1/4" pipe thread and added a high temp rated air hose and a fuel injection style hose clamp.

 

[JHanson]

There are at least 5 other variants of the same compressor available on Amazon alone. Same shape, size, style and output. All that differs is the name and color on the case.

The big Smittybuilt:
https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2781-5-65-Universal-Compressor/dp/B004K25GMG/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=12v+offroad+compressor&qid=1575172432&sr=8-2

GSPSCN:
https://www.amazon.com/GSPSCN-Portable-Inflator-Compressor-Inflatables/dp/B07MMMKNWX/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=12v+offroad+compressor&qid=1575172622&sr=8-5

Skull Off Road:
https://www.amazon.com/SKULL-OFF-ROAD-Compressor-Inflator/dp/B07KBV863W/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=12v+offroad+compressor&qid=1575172622&sr=8-10


Superflow MV-9012
https://www.amazon.com/SuperFlow-Compressor-Portable-Inflator-Vehicles/dp/B001RCTV46/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=12v+offroad+compressor&qid=1575172622&sr=8-17

Cong Rui:
https://www.amazon.com/Cong-Rui-Portable-Air-Compressor/dp/B07ZXKWXYM/ref=sr_1_62?keywords=12v+offroad+compressor&qid=1575172812&sr=8-62

Another variant through TuffStuff Offroad:
https://tuffstuff4x4.com/products/tuff-stuff%C2%AE-xtreme-portable-offroad-compressor-150-psi-565-cfm?_pos=2&_sid=e563d9fa5&_ss=r


These are all probably built in the same factory in China somewhere and just get different colors based on what company asked for a version of their own. They are not 100% duty cycle units for sure. My Smittybuilt gets the job done, but nowhere nearly as quick as a 100% duty cycle ARB twin. But for the cost, mine has seemed to be fairly durable. Much more durable than the MV-50 superflow I had before.

One word of note on this style. The hose that comes with it is garbage. But the quick disconnect fitting is an oddball size that does not fit standard air hose fittings. I removed it and added a hose to connect my compressor to my air tank. If I remember right the fitting to the compressor is a normal 1/4" pipe fitting. I just removed the fitting and added a nipple with the 1/4" pipe thread and added a high temp rated air hose and a fuel injection style hose clamp.

Good information, on the hose especially.

Note that compressors with less than 100-percent duty cycles usually measure them at a balmy 70ºF. You can bet it will drop significantly when the temperature is in the 90s or worse.

 

[Zoomad]

Good information, on the hose especially.

Note that compressors with less than 100-percent duty cycles usually measure them at a balmy 70ºF. You can bet it will drop significantly when the temperature is in the 90s or worse.







This is true. I've used mine in high ambient temps (90 and up) and the time to fill up all four 35" tires on mine feels like it doubles. I've yet to actually time it though. I say this because usually somebody else I'm traveling with have come over to help by filling at least one tire of mine so we can hurry up and hit the road.