Air compressors recommendations

The MV-50 can be made into a very good tankless 12v compressor with a little spit and shine. Just removing all the leftover mold flashing over the air filter inlet holes works wonders.

Mine now has 1/4 NPT fittings, and a 80MM fan blowing over the motor and head. I have 10 awg wire going through 45 amp powerpoles with multiple well wired receptacles to choose from. These are easy to open up and fine tune.

I'd like to have a small tank I could fill when desired.

Mine still pumps my airbags upto 100PSI regularly.

I've got a porter cable pancake compressor for woodworking related projects. It too needs loving to perform well, but its pressure regulator is non adjustable with pressure in the tank. Not too hard to work around.

My inverters couldn't power it and I would not carry it around unless for a job. The MV50 is small, and capable.

Gave up on small compressors years ago and moved to CO2 tank. Fastest filling compressor on the planet:)

I'm going this route also as my inverter is not powerful enough to run the one I was looking at buying at Lowes. This is what I will be getting.
http://www.amazon.com/viair-150-psi-high-flow-air-source-kit/dp/B000X9LTXA?SubscriptionId=1P5P1QJ1VKCQF2MN36G2&tag=viglink21355-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000X9LTXA

I went by the tire size I have (31"), called Viair who told me to get the 300P. Tried it out after I got it, works like a champ. FYI, these hook up directly to the battery, not a 12v socket.

+1 for MV50 for occasional use.

As long as it clamps direct on the battery only, the compressor is probably fine up to 80psi fill.
If it has a cigar plug stay away as it will be weak.

For me the Q Industries MV50 Portable 12VDC Portable Tankless Air Compressors (AMAZON) works just fine. I can air-up my trailer and truck tires and also use it for blowing out my water lines in the trailer when the temps drop below freezing...

I have used this model from way back in my Jeep/tent camping days.. Stores easy in its own carry bag and fits under my truck back seat area. I can sit this on my dropped tail gate of the truck and connect directly into the trailer battery bank terminals. The long hose reaches everything from this spot.


I use this adapter from AMAZON to connect to the city water port to blow out my water lines in the trailer and then fill the P-TRAPS with RV pink stuff. With the tankless compressor the pressure is slow to build-up which allows to get to the spigots everywhere to drain the water out without fear of over pressure on the lines.


Great small footprint items to have around for my off-road trailer...

Works great with my OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer and F150 TRUCK Tires. I can air up 65-80LBS real easy... The MAX air is rated at 150lbs. As old as mine is now I doubt I could ever get that much haha...

Roy Ken

Op here...

Sorry, left out vital info, makes a big difference.


Looking for 12 volt and it will stay in RV or pick up

Quit using compressors when my expensive Vaiair copy could not inflate a tire. Bought a 135PSI pancake compressor from Lowes when they were on sale for 90 dollars. Works so well, I gave my big compressor away last year.

Quite often Harbor Freight has small compressors with a "pancake" tank on sale for $39.

It is more than adequate for car and bike tires, etc.

It is barely adequate for topping up an 80 PSI truck/RV tire;takes several hits with re-pump time in between.

It runs off 110V AC.

Cheap or low cost - Quality or Quantity - Your choice

Had a Quick Air III for several years before it blew up - it was cheap junk

Now have three 12 Volt Viair systems
There are several better 12 Volt compressors - check out the Jeep forums
Depends on what you expect from it and for how long

That said Viair is good enough for most applications
The Viair 12 Volt system I have now in my rig includes a 5 gallon holding tank and is capable of 150psi @100% DC - fills tires - powers air tools - etc....

It gets used almost daily when we are out enjoying the outdoors
As said above make sure it is correctly installed