Your thoughts 12V air compressor

[1973Guppie]

I am considering adding a 5 gallon tank next to my 2.5 gallon tank, for a total of 7.5 gallons of storage. Is there any detriment to adding an additional tank and just linking it to the existing tank? or should I just use the 5 gallon only?

 

[Hornd]

See post #4. There are a bunch of us abusing the heck out of the single tank Pumas. IIRC, same bits as double tank but smaller foot print. Mine gets used several times each month for 5 years and it still fills my 37s from. 18 to 35 in about 2 minutes.

Footprint is the same it's just Taller
Might be best to get single tank, separate, and put as large as possible tank underneath or 2 tanks.
I would use the push style fitting and plastic tubing. Me exhaust rotted away over time and it was Stainless.

 

[WES1977]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003GLOHTK/?tag=ihco-20
Several people have told me they swear by this? I know the PUMA is preferred but any experience? looking for input.

I got a good laugh out of the spec:

2.03 CFM @ 0 PSI

How is that measured? 0 PSI, it could say 15,000 CFM @ 0 PSI and mean the same thing.

 

[shermantank55]

so it sounds like a larger air tank will help with my issues?.....

When I tried the compressor with the 1 gallon tank, I only got part of one tire inflated before the compressor kicked on and then it took over 4 minutes for that tire. Once I added more air storage the performance was significantly improved. With 4 gallons of air at 120 psi the compressor didn't come on for quite awhile and then was able to keep up with the demand for the other tires.

 

[lazy]

I got a good laugh out of the spec:

2.03 CFM @ 0 PSI

How is that measured? 0 PSI, it could say 15,000 CFM @ 0 PSI and mean the same thing.

It actually doesn't mean the same thing. You pee into 0 psig all the time. Doesn't mean you can push as much flow rate as you please. You older guys definitely know what I am talking about.

HP is essentially P*Q/k. I don't know what the constant is for psi * CFM off the top of my head. But, you need to understand there is a still a delP even when going to atmosphere. While small, it is still there.

 

[Pin_Head]

I got a good laugh out of the spec:

2.03 CFM @ 0 PSI

How is that measured? 0 PSI, it could say 15,000 CFM @ 0 PSI and mean the same thing.

It is not absolute pressure; it is gauge pressure or PSIG, which is the pressure above the ambient atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure is approximately 14.7 PSI absolute pressure.

 

[sbman]

It looks like I just need to wait & save up a bit more to get me into the $250 to $300 range.... My current 1 hour fill times with my Slime unit will have to due for now???

After Turf 'N Surf, I wanted a reasonably priced compressor that could air me up in a reasonable amount of time. I bought a Viair 90P.

http://www.amazon.com/Viair-93-VIAI...UTF8&qid=1453825100&sr=1-1&keywords=viair+90P

It is reasonably priced and I am able to inflate all four of my 285's from 15 PSI to 50PSI in less than 30 minutes. It was cheap enough that when I get a better system / on-board air I'll just put it in the emergency kit of another one of my vehicles. The cable and hose are long enough to reach all four tires without a problem.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Going on my 9th year with a PUMA with 100+ air ups a year. Using an available 80 series PUMA Mount makes for a simple, solid, and low cost option. If you needs are only a couple dozen times a year the MV-50 makes for a perfect choice.

 

[richardlillard1]

Going on my 9th year with a PUMA with 100+ air ups a year. Using an available 80 series PUMA Mount makes for a simple, solid, and low cost option. If you needs are only a couple dozen times a year the MV-50 makes for a perfect choice.

 

[bajaphile]

^^ HA!

I'm on my second MV50... My first one lasted me 10 years! 5 years of its life was mounted in the engine bay.

I just use it for airing up and am low on space in general, so I like that its pretty small. I'm keeping my new one inside. It takes about 3-5 minutes to air up my 35's from 20 to 40psi. I don't really time it, but I feel like its fast enough for my needs. I would probably buy the Puma but have no more room after loading my truck up with camping gear for 1-2 weeks off the grid.

 

[surfpig]

^^ HA!

I'm on my second MV50... My first one lasted me 10 years! 5 years of its life was mounted in the engine bay.

I just use it for airing up and am low on space in general, so I like that its pretty small. I'm keeping my new one inside. It takes about 3-5 minutes to air up my 35's from 20 to 40psi. I don't really time it, but I feel like its fast enough for my needs. I would probably buy the Puma but have no more room after loading my truck up with camping gear for 1-2 weeks off the grid.

I've had mine at least 5 years, quite reliable, kinda slow but whatever. I also have a Viair sitting around somewhere, but it's on like it's third air hose so I'm kind of leery of hauling it along anymore.

 

[Summiteer]

Here's the one I'm considering, Mean Mother II @ $180, still need to do some more research and look at the "bang for the buck" but I like the CFM it pushes out... 5.65 @ 0psi

Mean Mother Adventurer II 4x4 Portable Air Compressor 5.65cfm 150psi Maximum Pressure - Kartek Off-Road

 

[Manuelsv]

MV50 Was available at my Local Checkers in Tempe.. $54+ tax.. Cheaper than Amazon.. and if you have a discount coupon then you can have it for less..

Greatest advantage.. is that if it goes bad you can go swap it out under the warranty... Also just on a side note.. my MV50 died after 2 years of a lot of abuse... and they where nice enough to "swap" it out for me, they just re-boxed my old one and said it was bad before sale...
I do go there a lot, and one of their guys lives 3 houses down from me and sometimes we share some beers.. So they know me.. and I always chit chat and all that.. so they treat me well..

 

[landcrshr]

I am considering adding a 5 gallon tank next to my 2.5 gallon tank, for a total of 7.5 gallons of storage. Is there any detriment to adding an additional tank and just linking it to the existing tank? or should I just use the 5 gallon only?

For the Viair? You may want to check with them, but I think they recommend 5 gal. maximum.

 

[1973Guppie]

For the Viair? You may want to check with them, but I think they recommend 5 gal. maximum.

yes, thx, that is what they told me today, 5g max, I may just replace the 2.5 with a 5g or may just live with it as is....

 

[GW Nugget]

Here's the one I'm considering, Mean Mother II @ $180, still need to do some more research and look at the "bang for the buck" but I like the CFM it pushes out... 5.65 @ 0psi

Mean Mother Adventurer II 4x4 Portable Air Compressor 5.65cfm 150psi Maximum Pressure - Kartek Off-Road

This unit, the larger Smittybilt & MV-90 look to be the same manufacture.

 

[Tools R Us]

This unit, the larger Smittybilt & MV-90 look to be the same manufacture.

Agree, lots of the little pumps come from the same places. Having watched both work, they are interchangeable, the same real life performance. In my experience, the MV90 type is over twice the price of the MV50, MF1050, etc, but doesn't deliver twice the air. Some use two MV50 type pumps at once, works well, less $$ than a MV90, faster and if one dies, still can air the tires.

If you want more than that, the Puma is a great, proven pump at a good price point.

 

[warezdog]

I am considering adding a 5 gallon tank next to my 2.5 gallon tank, for a total of 7.5 gallons of storage. Is there any detriment to adding an additional tank and just linking it to the existing tank? or should I just use the 5 gallon only?

Not sure if you're getting good info, even from Viair.

At 100psi the 380 is a 100% duty cycle and the 400 is only a 33% duty cycle so why would they tell you that the 400 is the biggest when you can only run it 3 minutes out of 10 and you can run the 380 non stop?

They're probably right with the 5 gallon tank only because of the duty cycle of the 400 and the time it takes to fill a 5 gallon tank at 150psi but that shouldn't apply to a constant duty compressor like the 380.

Cheap tanks can be found on ebay from MRAP surplus like these 12 x 7 ALUMINUM AIR PRESSURE TANK 150PSI MAX SINGLE1/4" 3, 3/8" AIR BAG LOT OF 2 the benefit is they are aluminum and won't rust plus they're light.

I plan on going with a 380 and a pair of those soon, in fact if anyone wants to split a 2 pack of the 380's we can get them via amazon cheap at $275 for a pair with ALL the goodies http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036XGK2A?keywords=viair 380&qid=1453863903&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1 that makes them very affordable in my book since you're saving about 50 bucks on each one rather than buying separately.

When you look at the website and amazon you'll get different specs even though they're both coming from Viair, its quite confusing and I'm not sure since they're cranking them out in China that anyone in the states even knows whats what anymore.

 

[GW Nugget]

Has anyone lately found a Puma PD1006 for less than $200.00 ?
I saw a thread for $181.00 but can find it.

Thanks.

 

[Tools R Us]

... At 100psi the 380 is a 100% duty cycle and the 400 is only a 33% duty cycle so why would they tell you that the 400 is the biggest when you can only run it 3 minutes out of 10 and you can run the 380 non stop? ...

It depends on what you are looking for/need, compressors are optimized to the usage. A higher pressure compressor will have a smaller displacement than a lower pressure one, if the motor is the same. At higher pressures, motor load goes way up, duty cycles fall. All compressor companies play fast and loose with the numbers, experience, airup races are the best way to measure.

For most, the primary use is to inflate tires, so the ability to pump 200psi or even 100psi is useless. A pump that is optimized at a lower pressure will not make high pressure, but for the same amp range and package size, will blow 40psi into a tire much faster. If the use is horns or something 200psi maybe useful, depends on the need.

... They're probably right with the 5 gallon tank only because of the duty cycle of the 400 and the time it takes to fill a 5 gallon tank at 150psi but that shouldn't apply to a constant duty compressor like the 380. ...

Tanks are great for relatively high demand, short run time consumers, like an impact. Depending on the valve and pressure difference, a schrader valve will flow ~3-4cfm. So, with a small compressor, it is on for the whole job. A tank helps for part of the first tire, once depleted, the pump has to fill the tire and the tank, so is slower, takes more CFM to do the job. Every time we have tested, a tank extends overall airup time, the bigger the tank, the bigger the hit.

When we airup, I usually park next to one of my Viair buddies. When I'm done pumping up my 37"s with the Puma, I do one or sometimes two of their 315's so we can go quicker.