Recommendations needed for a 12 volt air compressor

[Wasatch Rebel]

I'm looking to buy a fairly low-end compressor. But not so low that it's a piece of junk or takes 10 minutes to inflate a tire. So any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[bobmed]

Harbor Freight has these for $70

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93186

It's the same basic design as the Viair 400.

I don't know how well they hold up.

 

[Corban_White]

They hold up great and have pretty good flow. I have had mine for 3 years now and use it all the time. I used it again just last week to bump the trailer tires up to 65 psi. Worked flawlessly.

 

[Mope]

Those Harbor freight ones go on sale quite a bit for ~$50 as well. I have one similar to it from costco that works good as well.

 

[Lka1988]

Masterflow MF1050, $60 at Pep Boys. Checker had a blowout sale on these for who-knows-what reason a couple years back. They hold their own quite well, I have two of them.

Also known as the MV50. Same thing.

 

[rzmod]

i bought a 450 viair on ebay for 75 bucks...bought some hose,fittings and mounted it all in a 50 cal. ammo can. got like 125.00 into it. its fast and 100% duty cycle. i can post up some pics if u like. rz

 

[strangeKowboy]

I have the harbour freight one also. I got it about 3 yrs ago and use the heck out it. My wheelin buddies made fun of me for buying it but they have all stopped laughing now that it has bailed there butt out a few times now. I love it and they are on sell every now and then for 49.99 and ya cant beat it. I found it airs a 35" tire really quick if you have the pressure off the tire. Maybe 2 or 3 min

 

[Twisted]

I got one of those little SuperFlow MV50 portables when I bought a set of tires from 4WD. It's not superfast, (took about 15 minutes to air 4 35" tires up from 15 to 40 psi w/vehicle weight on) but it works well & is compact enough to carry under the seat. Not bad for free!

 

[waynehartwig]

Just got an ad for HF and they have one for $18.99! right now.

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa...e&r=5022_797607&cust=00113912528&keycode=0000

 

[NOTATOY]

I just picked up a nitrogen tank and running an air chuck on it. Jake (maxxis comp buggy) saved my ass when I popped a bead at mini moab, couldn't have gotten it back on the bead without it. All you have to do is turn up the regulator and will inflate tires faster than your home compressor. Well worth the money

 

[Roxtar]

Define "fairly low end"
I've used AIM compressors with good results. They're a far cry better than ARBs or Viair.

This is a 1/3HP motor with a 100% duty cycle:

http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/com-dc2500.htm

 

[Wasatch Rebel]

Define "fairly low end"

That means less than $100. For now, I'll have to settle for cheaper and as time goes by, I can replace with better.

 

[SLC97SR5]

I have 2 of the MV-50's. These are sweet little compressors. It aired the trailer spare tire from 25psi to 65psi with both Toyota's on the trailer.

 

[solidfrontaxle]

Airing up tires isn't any harder with weight on them.

The Q Industries MV-50 (aka MF-1050) have a pretty good reputation. They are super cheap, chinese built, but put out a lot of air really fast. I think for them, you get a little more than what you pay for. You can't find anything quite as good for under $100 and sometimes you can find them cheap enough to buy two for that price. I am semi-happy with mine, its fast, comes in a cool case, doesn't get too hot, etc, but I did manage to break an air fitting because of the cheap cast metal they used. Should be easy enough to replace. I think these will be fine for most people's uses.

 

[Wasatch Rebel]

Hey, thanks for all the great responses. This gives me some things to look for.

 

[solidfrontaxle]

I am semi-happy with mine, its fast, comes in a cool case, doesn't get too hot, etc, but I did manage to break an air fitting because of the cheap cast metal they used. Should be easy enough to replace.

I tried pulling the broken fitting out today. The whole cylinder head cap cracked due to ultra crappy metal. Took off the cap and there were all sorts of metal shavings in the cylinder. I definitely don't think this unit was made to last long. No biggie though, it was cheap and did its job. The only bad part is I cannot for the life of me contact the company Q Industries to try and use the warranty or get replacement parts. They seem to have dropped off the map. E-mails not going through, nothing on google coming up... Possible they went out of business, though lots of places are still selling the compressors.

 

[bryson]

FWIW, Harbor Freight just sent out an ad with the 150 psi compressor for $49.95

I think I might have to go visit them!

 

[ricsrx]

Just picked up the HP for 49.95 plus 10.95 for the 2 year " I know its junk , and it wont last the 30 day facotory warranty".

and one more 4 1/2'' grinder that was on sale

 

[Wasatch Rebel]

Just picked up the HP for 49.95 plus 10.95 for the 2 year " I know its junk , and it wont last the 30 day facotory warranty".

and one more 4 1/2'' grinder that was on sale

So you plan on getting a new one every 30 days?

 

[Wasatch Rebel]

FWIW, Harbor Freight just sent out an ad with the 150 psi compressor for $49.95

I think I might have to go visit them!

What's the date on the ad? I don't get their ads in the mail even though I've bought stuff there from time to time.