Is This A Decent Air Compressor?

I bought my compressor at Harbor Freight. It is a 120 volts. It is the 3 gallon pan that sells for 39.99 on sale. It will air up to 90 psi. Worked great for my 19.5 tires and 85 lbs.

2oldman wrote:
In my estimation it is only half-way decent. 12v compressors sans tanks take forever. I'd go for a 120v unit with a tank.

Have used a few 12 volt compressors so I will second, third and forth that.

I use a Crafstman 150 PSI 4 Gallon Pancake job.. True it eats 120vac, nearly 2,000 watts of it (2 hp compressor) but,, Well.. I can power that. I sometimes tell the story of two TPMS customers.. That is the compressor I used to air up the tire that was going low, thus saving me nearly 100% of what the other guy had to spend ( Perhaps 1.00 in gasoline v/s over 2,000 in auto repairs, plus a tire and rim, because I installed the TPMS right away... And he did not).

It's got a 4 Star rating (118 reviews) at Amazon, and good reviews, so I'll be buying it!

i7000

If it gets me out of even one jam, it will be worth it!

Thanks for your opinions.

WoodGlue

RoyB wrote:
I use the MV50 Tankless 12VDC air compressor (AMAZON) which is a very small footprint and airs up both my truck and trailer tires as needed. Our tankless air compressor comes in a handy carry case and fits under my rear seat in my truck. The tankless air compressor also being slow to bring up high pressures make for an excellent air compressor to do my blow out of water lines when freezing weather comes up in a hurry. The blow-method works great for us in our off-road camper when needed. Can winterize the whole system is 5 minutes or so and return back to normal use the next day by just refilling the fresh water tank.

I have that pump installed with my train horns system via a 1 gallon tank. Been running it for about 5 years now and still works. I use it for train horns, air bags and my future exhaust brake along with airing up tires but to air up to 80 psi it will take awhile because it's a 1/4 duty cycle I think? Run it for 2 min. then shut it down for 2 and repeat. It's a throw a way pump and for about $45 or so it's a good buy.

What is the duty cycle? Specs do not say? For that price and "from walmart" you are getting what you pay for. Don't like the cigarette plug then cut it off and add your own - and + terminals along with an inline fuse.

The PSI is 150 iirc.

It says it will inflate a 14" tire in 2:30.

Should be good enough for me to have along just in case my tires need airing, right?

Thanks RoyB!

WoodGlue

Tires require volume and PSI. Buy a compressor that will deliver high PSI and CFM. Unless you want to spend all day inflating a tire.

Unless you are parked in a remote area without any 120 volt supply a 12 volt is not recommended.

I use the MV50 Tankless 12VDC air compressor (AMAZON) which is a very small footprint and airs up both my truck and trailer tires as needed. Our tankless air compressor comes in a handy carry case and fits under my rear seat in my truck. The tankless air compressor also being slow to bring up high pressures make for an excellent air compressor to do my blow out of water lines when freezing weather comes up in a hurry. The blow-method works great for us in our off-road camper when needed. Can winterize the whole system is 5 minutes or so and return back to normal use the next day by just refilling the fresh water tank.

I'd have gone with a 120v but I need the flexibility of a 12v.

Why wouldn't you power it through a cigarette or power center? Is that unsafe?

WoodGlue

I do not see where the description or specs indicate maximum pressure.

I would never buy one that powers through a cig lighter or power port. If you are going 12v get one that clips to your battery posts.

I carry a generator with me every trip and use a pancake style 110v.