12v air compressor/inflator: recommendations?

robharvey · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:15 am

Ditto!!

Kevin Allen wrote:

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. :lol:

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:25 am

FYI for all you folks who are spending bucks to get more horsepower:

Unless you run the car engine while running the compressor you are discharging the car battery. Guess when the alternator gets to recharge the battery at a typical autocross? :shock:

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Heck, on the Miata you *have* to run the engine to do that or else you piss off the hamster under the hood.

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2005 4:39 pm

We have a small tubular shaped one that has a spotlight built into the end that Donna says we got from HD. It's pretty quick compared to others we've had, and has an auto shutoff so you can let it run while you do something else. We also have one of the high end ones with a 2.5 gal tank that will fill the tank to 90# in <30 sec and will power a 1/2 air ratchet, but it's not very compact, won't fit in the Miata. The small one is the third we've had in 5 years. First two were Penske from K mart, one was runover in grid at a national event, the second one blew the compressor apart.

ColinOConnell · **Posted:** Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:14 pm

I picked up a nice one on Ebay before this season. The Tornado II kit pumps the tires pretty quickly and it's nice and small. It comes with an adapter to connect directly to the battery. You'll need this because it draws enough current to blow the Miata lighter fuse. It costs a bit more than the ones at Walmart or AutoZone, but I didn't want another plastic piece of junk that took forever to pump a tire and wouldn't last. We've been happy with it so far. Search Ebay for 'tornado air compressor' and you'll find a couple of sellers.
I've also noticed that the recent PepBoys ads have one that looks similar but since we don't have one in Pinehurst I haven't checked it out.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:39 pm

ColnOConnell wrote:

It comes with an adapter to connect directly to the battery. You'll need this because it draws enough current to blow the Miata lighter fuse.

With a current draw of 23 amps :shock: I'd say so!

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12v air compressor/inflator: recommendations?

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