Portable Air Compressor... what does experience tell you?

[Shoey]

I've been reading quite a bit across the board on various air compressor's and mounting options. Unfortunately, it has still left me a bit indecisive.

I am looking for something to air my tires back up. I can afford a Viair 300p, and potentially a 400p if the argument is made. But I see quite a few air compressors that are in the $60 range.

I don't mind a bit of a wait when filling up tires, it's a good time to hangout and chat with folks at the end of the trail. I'm much more concerned about quality and value.

 

[fourwd1]

The MF-50/MV-50 is a good choice in the $60-75 range.
I'm going to move this to the General section so more people can benefit .

 

[my92t4r]

had this a little over 6 months and used it often with good results.

12Volt 150 PSI Compact Air Compressor

 

[9494runner]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=15GESHZ3R99PD69J6MS5

The guys at Viair had this little thing at the off road expo in Pomona when i went. Very cool little setup BUT no 12v outlet its a battery clamp

 

[28.]

I got a Green Slime for around that price range about 3 years ago, maybe longer and it has worked really well. Got it at Wal-Mart..

 

[Titanpat57]

I have two that are my "go to" and so far have been reliable.

The first is the MV-50 as [MENTION=1857]fourwd1[/MENTION] stated earlier, and the second, another workhorse on a larger scale, is the Puma 12v compressor. It's much heavier, but quicker with much more volume, and has a tank and pressure switch.

 

[2014 Warthog]

Well after a year of having a cheaper lower capacity portable, then switching to the $230 ARB compressor, mounted. It's a world of difference for the better. You don't really want to be the last person done filling their tires and the less time filling, the more time BSing!

The difference was about 8-10 minutes a tire to about 3. So I would go for a higher capacity one if you can, portable or not. But, permanently mounted is also a nice convenience.

 

[my92t4r]

Well after a year of having a cheaper lower capacity portable, then switching to the $230 ARB compressor, mounted. It's a world of difference for the better. You don't really want to be the last person done filling their tires and the less time filling, the more time BSing!

The difference was about 8-10 minutes a tire to about 3. So I would go for a higher capacity one if you can, portable or not. But, permanently mounted is also a nice convenience.

i can buy 4 cheap azz ones, still have money leftover for 2 slab of baby back ribs and fill all my tires faster than your 1 arb:flipoff:

 

[Shoey]

i can buy 4 cheap azz ones, still have money leftover for 2 slab of baby back ribs and fill all my tires faster than your 1 arb:flipoff:

Now I'm hungry.

 

[2014 Warthog]

i can buy 4 cheap azz ones, still have money leftover for 2 slab of baby back ribs and fill all my tires faster than your 1 arb:flipoff:

I guess that's another way of doing it...

 

[Shoey]

As far as the MV-50 goes, I read the reviews online saying it has a different fitting that the hose plugs into. As I read further, it discussed people doing a few modifications that seem inexpensive, but a bit out of my league in terms of knowledge.

I had looked at the Viair 88p as a good option, but found that the hose is attached inside the unit, with no external adapter.

Seems each way I go, I come back to the Viair 300p.

Thoughts?

 

[ToyoTech]

Ebay. Puma 12 compressor. Comes ready to go with a tank. Have mine for like 3 years. Love it. Getting another one soon for my second truck.

 

[my92t4r]

88p looks like its within your budget and still some change leftover for ribs

 

[Shoey]

Ebay. Puma 12 compressor. Comes ready to go with a tank. Have mine for like 3 years. Love it. Getting another one soon for my second truck.

Where do you store it? Did you separate the compressor from the tank? Mounted or loose?

 

[ARC]

I have a 400PA and have been very happy with it. Easy to swap from vehicle to vehicle and store. Takes me from 17psi-37psi in about 2:30 per tire. Duty cycle is great, never had it over heat even when using to air up multiple vehicles without a break.

 

[7echo]

Is this the Puma that you guys are using...

Puma 12 Volt 1 5 Gallon Oil Less Air Compressor Free Shipping | eBay

 

[maco33]

This is the one i have and love it. http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2781-5-65-Universal-Compressor/dp/B004K25GMG/ref=pd_ybh_18

 

[VA4Runner09]

ARB Dual Compressor

Anyone install the ARB Dual compressor? In a 4th gen? Any thoughts on it? Overkill or not other than the obvious of it being pricey?

 

[Shoey]

Anyone install the ARB Dual compressor? In a 4th gen? Any thoughts on it? Overkill or not other than the obvious of it being pricey?

If you have the money, it's not overkill. Are you planning on adding air lockers to your rig? That would be the upside to it.

For me, I'm not getting lockers anytime soon, so I don't need that much and the money would better be spent on other parts.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Anyone install the ARB Dual compressor? In a 4th gen? Any thoughts on it? Overkill or not other than the obvious of it being pricey?

I have the twin ARB compressor, but in my 3rd gen. It is big and was a tight fit to get it in the engine compartment. I run front & rear air lockers with it. It works great to blow up air mattresses too. I haven't aired up my tires with it yet though.

Expensive, but really nice!