Air Compressor specs. What to look for?

[ron in sc]

What are the most important specs to look for when purchasing a 12 volt compressor.

Some have minutes you can run with minutes they must be rested.
Some have CFMs at the max pressure they run.
Another said 40 mins run time and 20 minutes rest.

All are china made.

Examples one had 3.17cfm @ 90 psi, another hade, 3.71cfm at 90 psi.

 

[Ducmonsta]

What are the most important specs to look for when purchasing a 12 volt compressor.

Some have minutes you can run with minutes they must be rested.
Some have CFMs at the max pressure they run.
Another said 40 mins run time and 20 minutes rest.

All are china made.

Examples one had 3.17cfm @ 90 psi, another hade, 3.71cfm at 90 psi.

If you want quality and durability, I would check the duty cycle. You'll notice most compressors are 30% which means the compressor can run for 3mins constantly and must rest for 7mins. I always prefer a high duty cycle. A higher cfm is great if you're running tools or need to air up faster. But I would rather have my compressor go for longer periods of time vs. move more air.

As with anything else, you get what you pay for.

 

[Jono.ful]

What are the most important specs to look for when purchasing a 12 volt compressor.

Some have minutes you can run with minutes they must be rested.
Some have CFMs at the max pressure they run.
Another said 40 mins run time and 20 minutes rest.

All are china made.

Examples one had 3.17cfm @ 90 psi, another hade, 3.71cfm at 90 psi.

not enough info to make an informed recommendation. what are you planning to use it for? do you want it to be portable, or permanently installed? how often are you planning to use it; daily, or semi-monthly, or....? do you need the ability to run pneumatic tools, or air lockers, or air ride suspension, or is this just for filling tires?

there are a lot of variables, and you need to consider your needs before asking for a recommendation.

 

[BobsTrail]

Air

Viair has a good range of 12 volt compressors with good descriptions. If you are looking for one to air up after an off-road trip, the model 450P looks good IMO.

This is from a guy who put together his own CO2 system for half the price of a Powertank system. But I get to pay $21 to the local welding shop for a 10 pound fill. It's fast, but I'll catch up to the cost of an air compressor soon.

 

[TexasAg]

I have a Warn VTC. You can run an impact gun and such...

 

[bimrunner]

I have a Viair 450p and it does a good job. However I also have a dual ARB and that is far better! Nether of these are what you asked about though as the Viair attaches directly to the battery and the ARB is permanently wired. The 12v ones in my opinion are a little weak to air up off-road tires. I've seen a lot of guys burn them out unless they pay attention to cooling them down, which many don't want to do when they are airing up to head home.

 

[ron in sc]

not enough info to make an informed recommendation. what are you planning to use it for? do you want it to be portable, or permanently installed? how often are you planning to use it; daily, or semi-monthly, or....? do you need the ability to run pneumatic tools, or air lockers, or air ride suspension, or is this just for filling tires?

there are a lot of variables, and you need to consider your needs before asking for a recommendation.

For use in emergency to air up tires for small boat trailer tires, large utility trailer, air up tires that where the tire folds into the rim, and for SVU tires including my 4runner.

 

[Titanpat57]

100% duty cycle no matter what you do.

I always carry an MT-50 for light duty...and a Puma 12v out on the trail...I can also use it to do air nailing or other jobs if I don't have 110 electric close by.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

100% duty cycle no matter what you do.

I always carry an MT-50 for light duty...and a Puma 12v out on the trail...I can also use it to do air nailing or other jobs if I don't have 110 electric close by.

Absolutely on the 100% duty cycle. From the wheeling perspective, airing up tires at sea level is one thing but if you go wheeling at altitude, the thin air can make if very, very slow to pump air at altitude. I learned this quickly in the Colorado mountains at 8,000 ft and higher.

I went with the ExtremeAire Portable Compressor. It's 100% duty cycle and I've been using it for over 12 years.

(Note the leather gloves on my bumper. Those air chuck connections get HOT after 4 tires)

 

[m(a)ce]

here's some food for thought (OJ write up from a couple years ago):

http://expeditionportal.com/overland-journal-air-compressor-test/

I've been using a Viair over the last year (after I sold the Powerplant from the JKUR). Its been good so far. My only complaint is the space it takes up in the cargo area (not huge but some real estate). I might eventually go to an ARB under the hood. For now this works & can be moved between the 4R & our JKR.

 

[04rnr]

If you have the cash and space, Id go with an Oasis...
Ive had an ARB, It was fixed twice and the 3rd time it crapped out, I gave up on it.