Light Duty Portable Compressors

[mtomaro]

I've been shopping around for a light duty portable compressor for airing back up after a day on the trails. I want something that's tough enough to be mounted in the engine bay for easy storage. The higher the duty cycle the better but I'm ok with the 33% mark as taking 15-20 minutes to fill up my tires really isn't a big deal to me. I often use this time to reorganize everything in my rig. Based on my expected use I also want to keep in under the $100 mark.

I got a Viair 88P and while it performed perfectly for what I wanted, I didn't like the fact that the air hose was permanently attached which will make storage in the engine bay a nightmare. I was really hoping to just keep a air hose detached in with the rest of my gear in the trunk.

I'm now looking at the Smittybilt 2780 - similar performance, similar price point, detachable hose. Now I need to decide if I want to modify the viair hose with a QD at the compressor, go with the Smittybilt, or go elsewhere. I'm curious to hear other thoughts and experiences.

 

[KidVermicious]

Should be pretty easy to put an air disconnect on the Viair. I bet the barb fitting on the stock hose is NPT, the one on my 90p is.

 

[kwill]

I like Viair products and have used the portable units and have mounted a 480 under the hood of my T4R. It is 100% duty cycle at 100 PSI.

 

[mtomaro]

Should be pretty easy to put an air disconnect on the Viair. I bet the barb fitting on the stock hose is NPT, the one on my 90p is.

The hose on the 88p is permanently attached. It goes directly inside the compressor cover with no fitting. I haven't taken it apart yet to see how it attaches under the casing but i would probably just cut the hose a few inches off the body and crimp on a QD.

I like Viair products and have used the portable units and have mounted a 480 under the hood of my T4R. It is 100% duty cycle at 100 PSI.

Great compressor but its really overkill for my planned use at this point.

 

[Toymaker]

I've been shopping around for a light duty portable compressor for airing back up after a day on the trails. I want something that's tough enough to be mounted in the engine bay for easy storage. The higher the duty cycle the better but I'm ok with the 33% mark as taking 15-20 minutes to fill up my tires really isn't a big deal to me. I often use this time to reorganize everything in my rig. Based on my expected use I also want to keep in under the $100 mark.

I got a Viair 88P and while it performed perfectly for what I wanted, I didn't like the fact that the air hose was permanently attached which will make storage in the engine bay a nightmare. I was really hoping to just keep a air hose detached in with the rest of my gear in the trunk.

I'm now looking at the Smittybilt 2780 - similar performance, similar price point, detachable hose. Now I need to decide if I want to modify the viair hose with a QD at the compressor, go with the Smittybilt, or go elsewhere. I'm curious to hear other thoughts and experiences.

Smittybilt air compressor on Amazon for $80. Works great for my 3T4R.

 

[kwill]

I happened to get a 1/2 price deal on my 480 or I wouldn't have gone that big either. However, I'd much rather have a smaller Viair than a Smittybuilt:
Viair 92C Compressor W External Check Valve & Intake Filter 120PSI Max Horns

 

[nevada]

I've been shopping around for a light duty portable compressor for airing back up after a day on the trails. I want something that's tough enough to be mounted in the engine bay for easy storage. The higher the duty cycle the better but I'm ok with the 33% mark as taking 15-20 minutes to fill up my tires really isn't a big deal to me. I often use this time to reorganize everything in my rig. Based on my expected use I also want to keep in under the $100 mark.

I got a Viair 88P and while it performed perfectly for what I wanted, I didn't like the fact that the air hose was permanently attached which will make storage in the engine bay a nightmare. I was really hoping to just keep a air hose detached in with the rest of my gear in the trunk.

I'm now looking at the Smittybilt 2780 - similar performance, similar price point, detachable hose. Now I need to decide if I want to modify the viair hose with a QD at the compressor, go with the Smittybilt, or go elsewhere. I'm curious to hear other thoughts and experiences.

spend a bit more and get the bigger one.


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


its a much better compressor than the 88p

it fills my 35's up very quickly.

 

[CrazyNorwegian]

I use the classic and reliable mv-50. It's mounted in my engine bay and will fill my 33's from 18-35psi in about 2 minutes each. As long as it's not 100 degrees outside I've filled up vehicles all with 33's without thermal shutdown. If it's really hot outside I may get 2 vehicles aired up before thermal shutdown. I've been using it for about 2 years with no issues.

 

[techno]

x2 on the Q Industries MV-50. Still going strong after 10 years.