Portable air compressor for plug in the rear

TX Cowboy · Apr 30, 2015

Howdy. I have searched and searched and seen many types of portable air compressors but can't find any info on what I'm looking for. It seems like people either have the fast one that hooks up to your battery with alligator clips or the slow one that plugs into your cigarette lighter. My question is if there is a portable air compressor that can plug into the AC socket in the rear of my 2015 Trail without blowing a fuse and would be quicker than the cigarette lighter version but not have to pop the hood and hookup to the battery. I know the rear is 120V/400W but the manual also reads:
■To prevent the fuse from being blown
Do not use a 120 V AC appliance that requires more than the maximum
capacity of the power outlet. If a 120 V AC appliance that consumes more
than the maximum capacity is used, the protection circuit will cut the power
supply.

Basically I want to know if anyone knows about a compressor that is compatible with the rear AC socket.

Thanks!

Titanpat57 · Apr 30, 2015

My experience has been one that if it's a compresor you're planning on filling tires after wheeling, that the wiring is not really adequate for a compressor that will be big enough to handle the job. If you just to blow up some pool toys for the kids, or a bike tire, then that's a little different.

The cheaper compressors have ridiculous ratings that unless time is immaterial, you'll be there till the cows come home, or it burns up.

I would at least run a new 12vdc line to rear ( just on principle) direct from the battery (fused of course), and use a pc. of 8 or 10 guage to new socket. It will come in handy for a number of different things down the road anyway.

Viair makes some dandy plug type compressors, that are pretty hardy, but small enough to be compact.

hearno · Apr 30, 2015

I was doing a bunch of research on this exact topic last night and pretty much settled on the Viair 300p. It hooks to the battery but the time saved airing up is well worth the hassle of popping the hood. Amazon had the best price shipped I could find on it. Based on the given stats for the smaller pumps, I was going to be airing up for a while. Esp if you consider the duty cycle. They're only rated at 33% so if you can't get all your tires aired up in 20 minutes or so, they recommend shutting the pump down to let it cool off and then continuing. Amazon.com: VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor: Automotive

03_4x4Runner · Apr 30, 2015

hearno said:
I was doing a bunch of research on this exact topic last night and pretty much settled on the Viair 300p. It hooks to the battery but the time saved airing up is well worth the hassle of popping the hood. Amazon had the best price shipped I could find on it. Based on the given stats for the smaller pumps, I was going to be airing up for a while. Esp if you consider the duty cycle. They're only rated at 33% so if you can't get all your tires aired up in 20 minutes or so, they recommend shutting the pump down to let it cool off and then continuing. Amazon.com: VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor: Automotive

That is the compressor I use. It is a nice setup. The only thing I did is get an extra extension hose. When the compressor is connected to the battery the original hose can barely reach the right rear tire without moving the compressor and disconnecting the battery clips.

fubar · Apr 30, 2015

hearno said:
I was doing a bunch of research on this exact topic last night and pretty much settled on the Viair 300p. It hooks to the battery but the time saved airing up is well worth the hassle of popping the hood. Amazon had the best price shipped I could find on it. Based on the given stats for the smaller pumps, I was going to be airing up for a while. Esp if you consider the duty cycle. They're only rated at 33% so if you can't get all your tires aired up in 20 minutes or so, they recommend shutting the pump down to let it cool off and then continuing. Amazon.com: VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor: Automotive

I did the same research, reached the same conclusion, and also ordered from Amazon. Received mine Sunday.

nevada · Apr 30, 2015

TX Cowboy said:
Howdy. I have searched and searched and seen many types of portable air compressors but can't find any info on what I'm looking for. It seems like people either have the fast one that hooks up to your battery with alligator clips or the slow one that plugs into your cigarette lighter. My question is if there is a portable air compressor that can plug into the AC socket in the rear of my 2015 Trail without blowing a fuse and would be quicker than the cigarette lighter version but not have to pop the hood and hookup to the battery. I know the rear is 120V/400W but the manual also reads:
■To prevent the fuse from being blown
Do not use a 120 V AC appliance that requires more than the maximum
capacity of the power outlet. If a 120 V AC appliance that consumes more
than the maximum capacity is used, the protection circuit will cut the power
supply.

Basically I want to know if anyone knows about a compressor that is compatible with the rear AC socket.

Thanks!

as said above, a compressor that's worth using for tires will overload that circuit. run a new wire, and you should be ok.

hearno said:
I was doing a bunch of research on this exact topic last night and pretty much settled on the Viair 300p. It hooks to the battery but the time saved airing up is well worth the hassle of popping the hood. Amazon had the best price shipped I could find on it. Based on the given stats for the smaller pumps, I was going to be airing up for a while. Esp if you consider the duty cycle. They're only rated at 33% so if you can't get all your tires aired up in 20 minutes or so, they recommend shutting the pump down to let it cool off and then continuing. Amazon.com: VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor: Automotive

for a few more dollars you could get a much better compressor.
that thing has a terrible output rating. CFM @ 0 PSI - 2.40 it will only get worse as the pressure increases.

for half the price, and basically the same output you could get this.
Amazon.com: Smittybilt 2780 2.54 CFM Universal Air Compressor: Automotive

but for just a bit more, you can get its big brother, and get a MUCH better compressor.

http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2781-5-65-Universal-Compressor/dp/B004K25GMG

that^^ is a badass compressor. I have one, and have nothing bad to say about it.

hearno · Apr 30, 2015

nevada said:
as said above, a compressor that's worth using for tires will overload that circuit. run a new wire, and you should be ok.

for a few more dollars you could get a much better compressor.
that thing has a terrible output rating. CFM @ 0 PSI - 2.40 it will only get worse as the pressure increases.

for half the price, and basically the same output you could get this.
Amazon.com: Smittybilt 2780 2.54 CFM Universal Air Compressor: Automotive

but for just a bit more, you can get its big brother, and get a MUCH better compressor.

http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2781-5-65-Universal-Compressor/dp/B004K25GMG

that^^ is a badass compressor. I have one, and have nothing bad to say about it.

You're absolutely correct but at some point, the cost becomes an issue. I can shell out $150 shipped and get a nice compressor that will handle my needs that comes with all the hoses, bits, a storage bag, shipped to my door. Of course I could step up to the $150 compressor but I'd still need all the ancillary stuff and now my costs are well over $200 and what started off as a $150 deal is now looking more like $250. The 300p seems to be a nice compromise between performance and price and it shipped to my door overnight for $148 with prime. I leave early Saturday morning for an off road trip so that was a huge plus for me. I try to buy quality and only cry once. I know this, I'll have a review of the 300p Sunday night if anyone wants to read it.

nevada · Apr 30, 2015

hearno said:
You're absolutely correct but at some point, the cost becomes an issue. I can shell out $150 shipped and get a nice compressor that will handle my needs that comes with all the hoses, bits, a storage bag, shipped to my door. Of course I could step up to the $150 compressor but I'd still need all the ancillary stuff and now my costs are well over $200 and what started off as a $150 deal is now looking more like $250. The 300p seems to be a nice compromise between performance and price and it shipped to my door overnight for $148 with prime. I leave early Saturday morning for an off road trip so that was a huge plus for me.

both the compressors I linked come with everything the other does. they are ready to use. $150 to your door for the big one

edit: I just realized, the accessories aren't pictured. unless they changed things, it absolutely comes with all the hoses, and power leads needed to use it.

one thing I really like about mine, is the coiled hose. typically I do NOT like that style of hose. they are stiff, and springy. but this is less like plastic, and more rubbery. it takes very little effort to stretch it all the way out. it doesn't try to pull back so hard, much like the stiffer plastic hoses.

I expect it will be less likely to break because of this as well.

have fun on your trip, take lots of pics!

hearno · Apr 30, 2015

[MENTION=84120]nevada[/MENTION] I had looked at that smittybuilt prior to my order and the only thing I saw that it said was included was the bag. I will be slightly irritated if it comes with everything else but they didn't bother to mention/picture that as the smitty can clearly move more air. The only reason I passed on it was because I wanted the package. Argh. Time is up for an order at this point but I'll see how the 300p performs and maybe I can return/upgrade.

nevada · Apr 30, 2015

hearno said:
@nevada I had looked at that smittybuilt prior to my order and the only thing I saw that it said was included was the bag. I will be slightly irritated if it comes with everything else but they didn't bother to mention/picture that as the smitty can clearly move more air. The only reason I passed on it was because I wanted the package. Argh. Time is up for an order at this point but I'll see how the 300p performs and maybe I can return/upgrade.

I bought it directly from amazon.

its got a 25' coiled hose, with thread on air chuck, and about a 10' power lead. plus about 30" of straight rubber hose directly from the compressor, to deal with the heat I suspect. and then the bag. I can snap a pic if you like. its a very nice set up.
and it works VERY well.

I use it for my 35's. ive never officially timed it, but it airs them up very quickly.

oh, and its nice and quiet too.

I just checked, as of January:

Does it come with the Quick release 24' coil hose?
A:
Yes it does but it is their style. If you have to replace the hose you would have to replace the coupler also. Not a big deal. Note this unit does get HOT! And make sure your car/truck is running when in use due to the high amp draw.
Mark answered on January 6, 2015

A:
Yes. Which i now use on my new compressor.
Brad A. answered on January 7, 2015

A:
Yes, it comes with the Yellow Coiled 24' Quick release line, and it is actually very nice quality, I use mine all the time.
Mark N. Needham answered on January 8, 2015

A:
yes. And I replaced it with a softer flex hose
johnjo answered on January 14, 2015

nevada · Apr 30, 2015

the only thing I would do(and I did) is replace the air chuck. its comes with a screw on style. it works well, and doesn't leak, its just time consuming. a bit if a PITA to thread it on/off each time.

I recommend one of these,

Amazon.com: Tire Air Chuck, Euro Style, 1/4" Barbed End, Open Flow: Automotive

TX Cowboy · Apr 30, 2015

Thank you all for confirming that I need get a compressor that hooks up to the battery. Guess I will save the rear plug for a coffee pot instead!

I'm heading down to South Padre at the end of May and was planning on airing down to hit the beach sand, but couldn't figure out which compressor to get to air back up.

Nolarola · Apr 30, 2015

hearno said:
...It hooks to the battery but the time saved airing up is well worth the hassle of popping the hood

Being serious, not critical, but I do not see how popping the hood is any more of a hassle than opening the tailgate. Given the amount of effort it takes to install the compressor in the rear, I'd say popping the hood is FAR less of a hassle. That's not to say installing somewhere in the truck isn't a great idea, just that opening the hood really isn't a hassle that should be a factor in this decision.

hearno · Apr 30, 2015

Nolarola said:
Being serious, not critical, but I do not see how popping the hood is any more of a hassle than opening the tailgate. Given the amount of effort it takes to install the compressor in the rear, I'd say popping the hood is FAR less of a hassle. That's not to say installing somewhere in the truck isn't a great idea, just that opening the hood really isn't a hassle that should be a factor in this decision.

Yeah, I'm with you. It was the OP that was trying to avoid the under hood and wanted to use his trunk area powerpoint.

Hellamatic · May 1, 2015

Go with a 12V model. On my work truck, I used to use the smallest 110v compressor Canadian Tire had but I needed my 800W inverter to run it.

I recently bought an Airmaxxx and I'm happy with it. Got it online from Airslamit.com - it's a little more geared towards the lowrider crowd, but it performs really well as a general purpose compressor. I use mine for airing up pneumatic instrumentation devices at work, and it's great. Takes a while to fill a 35" tire, but not bad if you have a little patience.

cctt · May 5, 2015

just received the smittybilt 2781 and wasn't expecting it to be that big. haha

It might be overkill but its a nice solid unit. Debating if I should return it and get the little brother since its a tad smaller.

also want to confirm that it does come with bag, hose, and a few attachment.

nevada · May 5, 2015

cctt said:
just received the smittybilt 2781 and wasn't expecting it to be that big. haha

It might be overkill but its a nice solid unit. Debating if I should return it and get the little brother since its a tad smaller.

also want to confirm that it does come with bag, hose, and a few attachment.

I haven't seen one in person, but im not sure the 2780 is actually enough smaller to make a difference.

SNOMORE · May 5, 2015

I got one of these - works perfect for my 33" tires and also inflates my RV tires to 80 lbs. easily. Never has tripped the fuse and i use the rear plug constantly with it

Amazon.com: Slime COMP06 Pro Power Heavy-Duty 12-Volt Tire Inflator: Automotive

DesertCanyons · May 5, 2015

ARB Compressors

How do the ARB compressors compare to these low cost units?
ARB has a similar unit for $178. Another larger capacity, faster compressor for $290. And all the way up to $545 for a twin compressor designed for continuous work (for when you want to run your pneumatic tools and fill your tires).
Compressors

Jeremy556 · May 6, 2015

DesertCanyons said:
How do the ARB compressors compare to these low cost units?
ARB has a similar unit for $178. Another larger capacity, faster compressor for $290. And all the way up to $545 for a twin compressor designed for continuous work (for when you want to run your pneumatic tools and fill your tires).
Compressors

Expensive compressors like the ARB and Viair have much better material quality, tolerances, and QA than the cheap ones. After going through many of the various branded cheap compressors, including rebuilding them, I have settled on dual Viair 400Cs. If I were to start from scratch, I would go with the twin ARB unit for its more compact size than my setup, with basically the same CFM.

Portable air compressor for plug in the rear

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