inexpensive portable air compressor

[Will_4R]

I am considering the Viair 90P. (Also looking at the 3 in 1 air down gauge). I notice a few people on here have the Q-Industries MV50 Super Flow. Any comments on how they compare, or other suggestions in that general price range?

I would use this occassionally, either to air up all four tires at the end of the day, re-inflate a repaired flat (getting a tire plug kit too), or top up slow leaks. I am about to get 32 in tires. I want something reasonably reliable and able to do the above tasks without overheating, or having to let the unit cool down before airing up is complete. I am willing to trade airup speed to save money.

I understand the concept of duty cycle, just not sure if a 15% duty cycle is enough for the above requierments.

 

[Merle]

The MV-50 had no problem completely filling a newly plugged tire AND adding about 20 more PSI to top off the remaining tires. I didn't bother to let it cool much apart from the time to move the connector from one tire to another (maybe 1-2 min).

Something to keep in mind is elevation. This was at 7300', so it did take a bit longer than at sea level too.

 

[Pikeman]

There was a website that compared different air up sources. Google MV 50 and I think it is Park Off-road or something like that. My last outting with the TTORA guys half of them were running the MV 50 and it worked great for them.

 

[Will_4R]

Thanks Pikeman. Too bad they don't review the 90P, but the MV50 unit looks good for the price. They don't state the actual duty cycle for it. In general, it looks a little more powerful than the 90P. Things I prefer about the 90P (from looking at online descriptions): Clip on air chuck instead of screw on, and location of the pressure guage. If I am able to use the Viar 3 in 1 air down gauage with the MV50, that would solve both those problems. The Viar 90P is a bit smaller and lighter, and has longer power cables with shorter air hose, whereas the MV50 has shorter power cable and longer airhose.

The local 4x4 shop in Vancouver sells Viair but not the MV50, so that is bonus as well, saving me on cross border shipping. I am still hesitant about the Viair 90P because I have not read much reviews on it. There are a few positive ones on Amazon.com.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Here is a comparison. Tire Inflator Comparison

 

[Overland Whse]

Try this out...

Overland Warehouse Heavy Duty Air Compressor - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

 

[fourwd1]

I have an MV50. For like $40 it can't be beat. The important spec is CFM, PSI isn't important when you're filling a tire to 30 PSI or so.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I have an MV50. For like $40 it can't be beat. The important spec is CFM, PSI isn't important when you're filling a tire to 30 PSI or so.

:iagree: 100% and for the price you can carry two.

The only bad thing I've seen about the MV50 is, at high elevations, it's not so impressive. All compressors get slower in the mountains. My interpretation of the complaint was that at lower elevations the MV50 is a great bang-for-the buck compressor. It's fairly quick and effective for a portable. At high elevations the fill time drags out a bit.

I have one and have used several times below 2000ft of elevation and I think it can't be beat for the money.

 

[J.A.]

I also use the MV50 and like it very much. I bought it based on the recommendation of members of this site.

 

[Gumballf355]

I've been using a viair 300p for years... get a viair.

 

[Will_4R]

I just got off the phone with the local offroad shop. They have both the MV50 (under the brand Smittybilt) and the Viair 90P. Both are $90. He said for that price the MV50 is a lot better, but in general Viair are excellent along with their customer service. For my budget it sounds like the MV50 is the choice and I am reassured by so many positive comments from you guys. I will stop in and buy it next week.

The 300P does look good but is over my budget.

 

[Will_4R]

I picked up an MV50 today. It was C$100, a little more than I expected, but whatever. I also picked up a tire plug kit for $20.

The MV50 is about twice the size of the 90P. The salesman said the MV50 is more comparable to the several hundred dollar Viair models, and that the 90P is in a whole different catagory. Interesting because the price doesn't reflect that.

I have not tried it yet, but can't wait. The intructions are sparse, but it appears simple enough to set up and use. What I can't figure out is how the chuck lets you air down. Is it just by partially unscrewing it enough to let air out? The built in gauge is not really presice (ticks every 5 psi).

 

[CJ3Flyr]

The built in gauge is not really presice (ticks every 5 psi).

I have learned to run the pressure a little higher than you want, shut the compressor off momentarily and read the gauge. It's fairly accurate after you shut the compressor off.

 

[Pikeman]

Oh sure just give one of the "tricks" away and be all helpfull. I guess that is why this site is so good.

Will - let us know how you like it once you start using it.

 

[Snwwlkr7]

I just recently bought this compressor off ebay for about $22 total in like new cond. Its a Harbor Freight 12V 150 psi. It seems to work very well and fairly fast. It also looks very similar to the "Viair". I've had a "truck air" for years and its held up good but has never impressed me very much in speed and really struggles past about 35psi.

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I just recently bought this compressor off ebay for about $22 total in like new cond. Its a Harbor Freight 12V 150 psi. It seems to work very well and fairly fast. It also looks very similar to the "Viair". I've had a "truck air" for years and its held up good but has never impressed me very much in speed and really struggles past about 35psi.

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Good luck with this. Anything electrical I have ever bought from harbor freight was junk.

 

[Kylebasa]

I went to AutoZone, Walmart and Krager today. All they have is a brand called Slime. The model number is Comp 06. Any feedback, I realy didn't want to drive 20 miles to PepBoys to see what they have. Thanks

 

[Will_4R]

I went to AutoZone, Walmart and Krager today. All they have is a brand called Slime. The model number is Comp 06. Any feedback, I realy didn't want to drive 20 miles to PepBoys to see what they have. Thanks

The Comp 06 looks like it is for little car tires, and really several orders of magnitude lower than the models we are discussing in this thread. Look for somthing that clamps to the battery rather than plugs into the 12 V socket. Compare amp draw, duty cycle and CFM when looking at different units. Thermal shut off seems to be a nice feature too, to prevent accidentally frying the unit. You can always just mail order something to avoid a long drive.

 

[Kylebasa]

OK so the eagle has landed. I went to Pepboys.com and got a $10 off coupon that you print online. Then went to PepBoys and got the MV 1050 they also call it the Tsunami. So with tax it was $53. NICE