Pancake Compressor

[Tachdriver]

I just checked the air in my TT tires, a few are low and have been thinking of getting one of these pancake compressors.

Harbor Freight Clicky

I realize HF is not the best in quality. I have a large air compressor at home that is quite large but I would have to move the TT from storage to home and back and/or stop at home on the way to a trip and risk filling warm times.

for $40 I can carry this just in case I have a problem on the road, pending I can find 110v somewhere unless I am at a campsite and need air.

Does anyone have experience with this?

[Tachdriver]

Well there are lot of great comments, and I did buy it from HF for $39. There is a break-in procedure to run at 30 minutes with the air valve open (dumping air). It shut off right at 100lbs psi, leaked down to 90 during the night and held this as of this morning.

Since my TT tires are at 50 lbs this should work out great, but as someone pointed out higher pressures would mandate a higher rated compressor.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

SADNESS: Definition

When you pay a hundred dollars for a "Top Name Brand" tool, then find out it is exactly the same make as a Harbor Freight $29.95 tool. Change labels add seventy dollars...

[westend]

The oil-less pancake compressors are basically planned obsolescence. They won't hold up to continuous use or heavy intermittent use. The inflators hold up better but are slower to put out higher pressures.

This Hitachi compressor is an oil bath type and delivers 4 CFM at 90 PSI. I've had one in use for work and home for 15 yrs. Warning--this little compressor has a very high rotor lock draw, you will need a good 15 amp circuit to power it.

[landyacht318]

I have the Porter Cable pancake compressor that came with 3 different nailing guns.

I am not very impressed. The regulator can not be adjusted with any Pressure in the tank. I just had to replace the drain petcock. Kind of NOisy and takes a long time to get to 150 PSI, and I am lucky if I can get above 110 psi through the regulator.

I was just in HF and looked at the pancake compressor. There are visible differences in the plumbing but basic design is the same.

[dodgerdog]

If your talking about the Harbor Freight red Pancake Compressors don't waste your money... I bought one and it died with little use after a month or two... Just long enough for me to loose the receipt and throw the box away... The motor ran but no pressure to the tank... The wife bought me a 5 Gallon Bosche one from Lowes ... Flawless.....

I have a few 12vlt ones that work great....

Mike C.

[Bumpyroad]

j-d wrote:
Or for tires only, an "Inflator" which takes up less space because it's compressor only, no tank.
HF has a hotdog shaped version too. The pancake version just fits one of our compartments.

saw a fellow who had taken his tank type apart, took the parts apart and mounted the tank under the motorhome with the rest of the goodies out where he could get to it. seemed to me like a good idea.
bumpy

[Hoosierdaddy47]

I got this one for something to use in my house. Great little compressor. Used to be $100.00. I paid 50 bucks and felt I got a great deal!
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/jobsmartreg%3B-075-horsepower-oil-free-4-gallon-pancake-air-compressor

[j-d]

We have that HF 95275. $39 it's worth. Very good for our bicycle and auto tires. Boat trailer wants 50PSI and it's OK there. To inflate RV tires to 80 takes quite awhile. Even though it's called 100PSI, 80 seems to be its operational max. If somebody wanted to inflate tires to 100 I'd suggest at least a 150 PSI compressor. Or for tires only, an "Inflator" which takes up less space because it's compressor only, no tank.
HF has a hotdog shaped version too. The pancake version just fits one of our compartments.

[j_p_f_]

add a small 400 watt inverter and you will be good to go.
I have a setup like that and used it to pump up all four tires on my friend's trailer without a problem.
remember it's a small compressor and will take some time but will do the job.

inverter

[Bumpyroad]

Ron3rd wrote:
Don't get hung up on the "low quality" HF thing. ALL the small compressors sold by everybody, Sears, etc, are made in China. Some are better than others. There are some very good 12v compressors out there that can really crank out the psi but they're about $200.

and I bet a lot of them come off the same assembly line.
bumpy

[Ron3rd]

Don't get hung up on the "low quality" HF thing. ALL the small compressors sold by everybody, Sears, etc, are made in China. Some are better than others. There are some very good 12v compressors out there that can really crank out the psi but they're about $200.

[Monaco_Montclai]

Now I got one from cw, comes in it's on bag, with acc, and in a bag. Nice out fit. Called airlift. Works for me . Now it's all --happy-camping

[tvman44]

I have one of the HF compressors you mentioned and it works Ok, for 50 PSI tires you should be fine. I use mine for small nail guns in my workshop. 🙂

[bob213]

The inflator that Francesca linked to looks like it would do the job. I found it at WalMart for $70.
inflator