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BeerBrewer's avatar
BeerBrewer
Explorer
May 13, 2019

Portable air compressor advice is needed

I'd like to purchase a dc powered portable air compressor for my travel trailer, just in case I need to top off the tires while on the road. I already own two other compressors that I prefer to leave at home, a 30 Gallon Craftsman that I use to blow out the sprinkler system and a smallish Rolair that I use for my nail guns. I could bring the Rolair along with us but its only AC powered and would be of almost no use while traveling. I was poking around on the internet and it seems like a lot of people use the ViAir 400P-RV and 450P-RV. These look to be really nice portable air compressors but they also come with a hefty price tag (about $300). I was thinking about buying the ViAir 90P (aprox $80) or the ViAir 300P (About $150) since we'd only be using it to top off the tires in a pinch. I'd use one of my other air compressors to fill the tires before we leave on trip.

Does anyone have an opinion or experience with the ViAir 90P or 300P air compressors? Can anyone suggest a different brand ot DC powered compressor wit similar or better specs?
  • I bought a "Slime" air compressor from Walmart. I think I paid about $35 but prices are now at about $50. The unit is pretty small and light weight but does its job. I have even used it on 19.5 tires to 110 psi.
  • 2oldman wrote:
    toedtoes wrote:

    The ryobi looks good until you see the weight. 141lbs is not really something to carry around.
    The one linked above is 14, not 141 lb.


    If you look at the ryobi with battery on home depot, it says 141 lbs. That's the one I looked at. Since without the battery it's only 14 lbs, I'm guessing that's a typo. So I withdraw my "complaint". :)

    Ryobi plus battery
  • tragusa3 wrote:
    I went with the Viair 300P, because my trailer tires (at the time) only needed 65psi. We recently changed to a motorhome that has 22.5" tires and needs 95psi. I thought for sure I'd have to buy the 400RV model. But first, I ran a quick experiment. I dropped a tire down to 60psi and then hooked up the 300P. Expecting a struggle, I was surprised that in about 3 minutes, I was at 105psi. I don't suppose I will be changing air pumps!

    I'm sure the duty cycle is better on the 400RV, but I don't expect to ever need to run this more than 5 minutes at a time.


    300P and 400P and 400P-RV all have the same duty cycle - 33 percent. The 450P has a 100 percent duty cycle.
  • Looks like a great heavy duty setup. Must be driven by a starter motor. At 180 amp current draw you're going to need jumper cables to run it. At 65 lbs, it won't be very handy to lug around. It seems like mounting it permanently and using a long hose would be best with this unit.
  • time2roll wrote:
    Only draws 180 amps from the 12v battery.
    Only.. LOL. That's more than an air conditioner takes. You'll need more batteries. And some really big cable. I think I'd opt for the 24v version.
  • toedtoes wrote:
    If you look at the ryobi with battery on home depot, it says 141 lbs.
    Someone forgot the decimal point.
  • 2oldman wrote:
    toedtoes wrote:
    If you look at the ryobi with battery on home depot, it says 141 lbs.
    Someone forgot the decimal point.


    Yep. :)
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Well I am in the process on installing a Viair constant duty air compressor and 2.5 gal tank on our 2016 Ram. Delivers 150 psi. Tucked away under bed of the TV.
  • I have a ton of Ryobi stuff (impact gun, lights, drills/tools, stick vacuum, etc) that comes along on trips with 6 four amp hour batteries, made sense for me to get the Ryobi air compressor. It works well and compact.

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