Tyre compressors - which one?
 

I am looking to buy a top of the range 12volt/240watt portable tyre compressor with battery cable connectors for arduous expedition use. Which are the best and most reputable makes around? Not sure if I will I install it permanently yet.

Also,I have a 110 amp/hour auxiliary battery in my Land Rover. Is the ampage too high for such compressors? What kind of fuse do these compressors have?

Any comments or hints would be very welcome.

Cheers,

Andy

If you want the best: go for Grand Erg (from Milan, Italy)
At the other hand: if you want to make a permanent installation, consider converting an old airco-compressor (driven by a fanbelt). It's not even half the cost; but at least double inflating capacity.

I have a Max Air from Bushranger. It is a great compressor and suites what you are looking for. Take a look:

http://www.bushranger.com.au/maxair.html

I have a Viair from Matt Savage which airs tyres up faster than I can let them down and can cope with 12 tyres one-after-another without overheating. Im very pleased with it. He has a range of different versions.

The bushranger and its case looks identical to the Viair I have so is probably the same ....

Andrew

I had a Taiwanese 70l/min VIAR replica that worked excelent and at only 60% of the VIAR's price. If you get two of these, I don't think you're far of the Grand Erg's performance, but at a fraction of the cost, less bulky, and you'll have a second compressor in case one fails... .

Hello,

This thread will be no doubt moved to the Sahara tech forum soon , because all discussions regarding air compressors (and there's been quite a few of them) are already there.

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

Hello all
I've got the same questions about compressor, i did saw the viair from Matt Savage, still a bit expensive for me, can you tell me Robbert the web page were can i buy the Taiwanese 70l/min VIAR replica. Thank you

I have not tested it extensively jet, but I sourced locally a (Chinese) T-Max branded compressor that is very similar to Viair but was about 30% of the price of similar spec Viair.

http://www.tmaxtools.com/products/8072200_detail.htm

This is the shop where I bought it:
http://users.skynet.be/gitrax/aboutus.htm

It's smallish 4x4 outlet in Belgium. I don't know the brand or didn't do any pre-purchase research because my QuickAir got stolen the week before departure on a transafrican trip, together with GPS and sunglasses. Junks probably. Stupid they didn't take the envelope with 500$ which was in the cubby and left the gear for what it was. Would have been better for both I guess.

;-)

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000187.html

Work your wy thru this lot, I`m sure it give you something to think about.

If anyone is interested I have a very solid QuickAir2 compressor for sale. Comes in a Steel travelling case but you could take it out and mount it in the engine bay.
Superior to the Truck air compressor but not as powerful as the Grand Erg. You can buy a tank to go with it though so that you can store air at higher pressures.

The Spec is a 25ft. nylon coil hose with clip-on air chuck, and 10ft jumper cable style battery connectors. Hook it up to the battery and you're ready to go. 2.18 CFM @ 22 amps.

Price 75 GBP. Contact me on ctc_wakamba@ hotmail.com if you want it.

[This message has been edited by ctc (edited 19 July 2005).]

Hi!
I'll buy a Viair for my 7.50R16 tyres. Which type are you using? 400P seems a good set. Is it too much powerful for my case?

Reg's
Ali



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Hi , people.

Well, instead using dedicated xpedition air compressors .. I have bought a good 1000W 12V->220 Volt inverter for around 70 Euros+30 p&p , and a cheap hobbyist (sp?) 240Volts 1 HP air compressor , with tank and accesories !! , etc.. for around 80 Euros.

That way I got a 1HP air compressor which is really good pumping power... AND the inverter which doubtless will be of utility on the truck. Another advantage , is that even if the compressor fails , there's always the possibility to buy another (well , bit more expensive) but available 240Volt air compressors in Most countries.

Have a nice day.

You're right javier,

But in this case, I wouldn't like to depend on a 70€ 1000W inverter for airing up my tires. It's far more probable for your inverter to brake then the compressor giving up. Also, it's bulky. The Viar and clones are the size of your inverter, and really go fast enough for use on normal cars.