THSCC Forums

I burned mine up in less than 10 minutes. Anyone have any luck with one?

get a tank

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05 MCS

ditto.

I think that most are cheaply made, loud and don't last very long. I would consider having one in my car for emergancy purposes, but would not rely upon one at an autocross, etc. Although a number of people seem to make them work just fine at events.

Buy a tank, find a gas station near you (or event sites) that has free air AND a decent nozzle so that you can fill it up. Better yet, if you have a regular compressor at home, you can fill up your tank at home. That is what I do now.

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

I third that motion. The 12V models are too slow for me. The tank is a better option IMO.

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

I agree that they are not so great. But the RX-7 only has so much cargo capacity. Normally folks are willing to lend their air source, but on occastion I have found the need for the 12v unit. Its even come in handy on the road.

I figured finding a better built one would be difficult.

This Campbell Hausfeld unit seems to be the best bet so far:

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN ... 0&MID=9876

I have the Craftsman one. Search http://www.craftsman.com for 02875114000 to see one.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

Get a tank... they fit in a Mini

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2004 C5(415whp,390ft/lbs),
1997C5,1997Trans Am, 1986 C4,
1990 Miata, 1976 MGB,1997 Protege, 1989 MR2

We should meet and let you crawl into the back of a mini and then into the back of my RX-7. Dismemberment may be required to get all you in. A mini is a limo in comparison.

Have you seen the 5 gallon tanks? That might be a better fit.

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

Matthew,
My Mini is the convertable, and I also owned a 1979 RX-7, if there is more room in the Mini its maginal . What you gain in space with the pump you lose in reliability(burn ups) and time. Just and opinion. If you can come up with a compressor that you are satisfied with by all means use it and give me the brand name.
Bernie

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2004 C5(415whp,390ft/lbs),
1997C5,1997Trans Am, 1986 C4,
1990 Miata, 1976 MGB,1997 Protege, 1989 MR2

I was joking with you Bernie. Just a little "jockularity" to borrow a term from M*A*S*H. The cargo space may not seem that different (21cu.ft for the mini vs 17 cu.ft for the FD according to Edmunds), but in spaces so small thats nearly 25%.

I have a tank and its just not working out so well. It takes up a large chunk of space. I'd have to leave behind something else...tool box, gas can, jack, stands...etc. Usually I have the tires set before I get to the track and have little use for air. This wknd was one of those rare times and it failed 10 minutes into the job. Now it did serve me well many times before helping others and myself in emergrncies.

I do not expect to find a great one, but I will be getting another. I'll let you all know how it goes. Meanwhile, I appreciate the comments. Obviously a tank is more reliable. But in all of life there is that balance of compromises.

I bought 2 of the ones they sell at WalMart for $13. I've had them for a few years, and they're still working fine (I've used them both a LOT). I think they're Campbell Hausfield. I keep one in the autox/rallyx/track box, and one in the car for daily availability.

And as for reliability vs. a tank, where are you going to use them? At a racing event? Do other people have pumps and tanks that you could borrow? Reliability "problem" solved.

Jim's mention of the 5 gallon tank sounds good. They are pretty small. I then wondered if anyone made a smaller tank (such as the 2 gallon "hot dog" style). But I can't find an example of one via Google other than the ones that have a compressor attached.

If money was no object, you could buy a 2 gallon hot dog/compressor combo, and then ditch the compressor. Just put a valve, gauge and quick connect on the tank. While you are at it, chrome the entire tank.

Otherwise, if you are looking for a compressor, I would say that you probably get what you pay for. Maybe buy one at HF and get one of those warrantees that allow you to bring it back if it is busted. Also, I would guess that continuous use is what kills those things. You may also want to take one apart and see what could be lubricated to extend its life.

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

After using a Coleman compressor since 1989, I bought a Campbell Hausfeld 12V unit at Walmart two years ago. It's a lot faster than the Coleman unit. (The Coleman now lives in the trunk of my daily driver.)

One tip is to let your car idle while you're running the compressor.. a little more voltage makes it work faster.

Off roaders use 2.5 gallon tanks with on board high end 12v compressors.

http://www.4wheelerssupply.com/catalog/ ... s_id/71364

Ahhh...but if you found a busted compressor with a small tank?