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As I settle into the nuances of P-car ownership, I'm finding myself spending more and more time in the garage. One of the things we all know is important with our cars is tire pressure and the variations that can occur after days and weeks of driving. I don't know about everyone here, but I find it a real pain in the rear to go adjust tire pressures at the station so I was looking into home air pumps. Looks like the ones on Amazon aren't that expensive (generally < $100). For those that have them, what are you using and are you happy with it? I'm only going to be inflating your basic tire sizes + potentially SUV tires in the future but nothing commercial or truck-like.
I use a Michelin 12V inflator. It's great cause you can set the tire pressure, and it'll inflate to what you set. It also seems to measure up pretty well to the TPMS pressures. Not sure if you can get it in the US though.
Isn't nitrogen supposed to help with temperature based pressure fluctuations? I've had it in my last 3 p cars and it seems to help as far as I can tell.
I have a Viair 450 for off-roading (you purposely air-down to 12-14psi for low-traction and rock crawling, then need to pump back up at the roadhead.) It's a decent enough compressor, one of the best portables. It was about $200 at Amazon a couple years ago.
But honestly, unless you have a strong need for portability, consider saving the money and going ahead and getting a real compressor -- something with 4-5hp and 20 gallons or more capacity. You have no idea how many ways you'll find to use it once you own one. I asked for and got one for my college graduation present from parents (back when compressors were exotic, and if you can believe it cost as much as they do today, but in 1985 dollars.) I used it till 2015, when it finally crapped out the motor. It was 30 years old so I decided to reward myself with a new one rather than replace the motor.
Anyway, if you have the room under your workbench or somewhere in the garage, you won't regret it.
Great thoughts guys. Has anyone used the Porter Cable air compressors? Wondering if they might pull double duty for tires and detailing? Wouldn't have any need to use with any air tools but just for the light-duty stuff. Comments?
I use a Sealey air compressor, the great thing about a compressor like that is that you can use the hose directly from the storage cupboard without having to get power from somewhere. I leave it pressurised so air is available at all times.
Those of you with the Viair, do you use the Porsche cigarette lighter? What do you use as a power source?
Yes, have used it with the Pcar cig lighter and also connected it to a portable jump starter when I don't want to start the car just for put in a couple of lbs of air in the tires.
02-05-2016, 09:08 PM
Home air pump?
