Plug in portable air pump recommendations?

alext72888

alext72888

New member
Hey guys, looking for a portable air pump that I can use for tires and other stuff like rafts, tubes, etc.

Something that i can plug into the cig lighter ports of the car so I can also use it in different cars.

The reason I'm posting this question is because I hear horror stories of the pump blowing out someones fuses and them being stranded. Not sure of that's true

What do you guys use?
 
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I don't think you will get many people recommending a cig plug in compressor. They take forever to air up tires and overheat as well. Most of the ones that will be recommended can be used with multiple vehicles though because they will clip onto the battery like jumper cables. That being said, I use the Viair 450p like the previous poster as I like the 100% duty cycle. If you end up have to fill trailer tires or anything that might require higher pressures or more than one vehicle it can come in real handy. Others like the 88, 300, or 400 are pretty good as well.
 
alext72888 said:
Hey guys, looking for a portable air pump that I can use for tires and other stuff like rafts, tubes, etc.



Something that i can plug into the cig lighter ports of the car so I can also use it in different cars.



The reason I'm posting this question is because I hear horror stories of the pump blowing out someones fuses and them being stranded. Not sure of that's true



What do you guys use?
Click to expand...



Goodyear i5000 Cordless Tire Inflator and 12-Volt Power Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D5JUXY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_8r1yzbZMP4QEX

I keep one of those in all 4 of the vehicles in my family. I started with the first one purchased to keep the 5 tires on my boat trailer inflated where the rechargeable cordless feature really comes in handy at 4:30 in the morning, moving around the trailer a long way from the battery or power outlets. I usually run them plugged in when messing with cords isn't an issue.

I considered getting a Viair 450 for our trip to Moab last month, but decided to take two of the Goodyear's instead. They inflated the 35"x12.5's on our Jeep everyday from 16 to 30 psi just fine without overheating. They take twice as long as the Viair would have but I used them two at a time and didn't have to open the hood. I still have the Viair on my list of things to buy but can't convince myself I'd be better off. One thing I really like is the Goodyear is truely automatic, set the built in pressure gage and it turns off when it gets to that pressure. Still have to tweak it a little but it usually gets close. The rechargeable battery doesn't hold a charge very long on the oldest one anymore but still works fine plugged in, that one's in my sons truck now. I bought that first one at Northern Tool at least 5 years ago.
 
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I just purchased a VIAIR 88P on Amazon for ~$52 shipped. If you're Prime there's a coupon you can click on and apply that takes $11 off the normal ~$60 price.
 
I have a Viair 85P which plugs into the cigarette lighter http://a.co/29LQ8Vg

The only reason I have it though is because I had it before the 4Runner, I would get a larger one that clips onto the battery instead if buying new (the only reason I still have this one is because it still works just fine so getting a larger one is low priority)

This one will work though if you are really set on a cigarette lighter, I have refilled up to 8 tires after trail rides and have never had a problem with overheating.

If you are really set on a cigarette lighter blowing fuses is a possibility (although I have never had that problem with the 85P even though its listed at 15A), the easiest way to avoid that is to just get a pump that clips onto the battery
 
I'm using the Viair 400P Automatic and its awesome. The thing is surprisingly quite and the compressor does not run unless your pulling the trigger to fill (which helps prevent overheating). Took about 2-3 min to air up from 18psi to 38 and It uses battery clips. Highly Recommended and I got it on sale for like 135$.
 
i have both smittybilt compressors. clamp on to battery.

paid $60 for the smaller one, and $115 for the bigger one. Great compressors for the price. Massive CFMS
 
rayofsi said:
i have both smittybilt compressors. clamp on to battery.

paid $60 for the smaller one, and $115 for the bigger one. Great compressors for the price. Massive CFMS
Click to expand...

i have the same, and I cant recommend them enough. they are amazing compressors.

they do not plug in to the dash though, as you said, they clamp straight to the battery.

the small one,

https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2780-2-54-Universal-Compressor/dp/B004K296N6

and the big one,

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


for stock sized tires, and the other things you mentioned, the small one would be plenty. for oversized tires, I would go for the larger one. mostly, just to cut down the time it takes, but either one would work just fine.
 
Bought vlair 88p , used it many times during Colorado ,Utah trip.Took 15-20 mins to fill.I have 265/70/17's on my T4R.
 
I bought a viair 88p off amazon for $46 bucks on sale and had it the next day. Haven't been wheeling lately so havent been able to use it besides a driveway test from 10 psi to 35 psi.

Also it fits perfect in the spot where your stock bottle jack goes.

I have a air zenith ob2 sitting in my garage I plan on using with a 5 gallon tank eventually.
 
Cymon said:
Skip the cig lighter and just use one of the 12v portable mentioned above. Pretty close to the same convenience with way more power and reliability.

This one has not let me down yet and can usually be found for under $60 with a coupon or sale.

https://m.pepboys.com/product/details/9357343/00840
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i have the same one. it's the same model that gets rebranded/private-labeled and sold for an upcharge by other companies.

while the compressor itself is stout, the included hose is absolute rubbish. get this one.
 
I went with the bit bigger VIAIR 450P that clamps to the battery. Like was reported earlier it works very well and is extremely quiet. It has 100% duty cycle at 100 psi and I can confirm the 2-3 minute fill up time. Great product.
 
I have the 88p also. Can you use it to inflate all 4 tires (from 10-15psi to 35-40psi) without waiting for it to cool off?

I guess I can try it myself, but I don't want to "break it" :D
Also - I've thought about attaching some sort of portable fan to blow on the heat sink on top, that part sure gets hot.

I have stock sized 265/70/17.
 
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