Are Portable Tire Inflators Any Good?

[easysurfer]

Just thought I'd give an update.

Received the portable tire inflator and used it to top off the PSI in my car tires. It's a keeper.

Was slow but did work. I'd say not quack science but if you are in a hurry or not pressed for trunk/cargo space, a more robust inflator is the way to go.

On the plus side, the portable inflator I got is housed in metal instead of expected hard plastic.

[easysurfer]

Worth mentioning about the inflator that I got is that the capacity after measuring from my USB power meter (nice to put that to good use) is only less than half as claimed. The claim was 6000 mAh. Measured came out to under 2700 mAh. Seems that's an often then when actually value doesn't measure up to claim.

[zinger1457]

How does it work, can you select the psi you want to inflate to and then it automatically stops when reached? That would be a nice feature that my Ryobi doesn't have. More important, how accurate is the meter?

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinger1457 How does it work, can you select the psi you want to inflate to and then it automatically stops when reached? That would be a nice feature that my Ryobi doesn't have. More important, how accurate is the meter?

Yes, for the one I have. Pre-set psi and when reached, the unit automatically turns off. I compared with an accurate manual tire gauge and it is very accurate except that the chuck is a screw on one so about 1/2 psi is lost during removing. I still prefer to have a screw on instead of the flimsy clip on ones.

The one I got, has two power option. Battery or 12v cord. I like that in case there's not enough juice in the battery to get the job done.

[teetee]

After some research I got a $17 inflator:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B081TV5RCB in 2020. It tops off the tires of my Mazda van fine but the cylinder gets warm if I don't let it cool down after 5 min of use.

[isisdave]

I have this one and am happy with it. I use it for the travel trailer, so the fact it's battery powered is good -- you don't need a long cord. Handles 60psi very well although of course not terribly fast.

[Koolau]

I have an old cheapie (about $10 that is very slow - but works from auxiliary power port in car.) The gauge is amazingly accurate. But it warns to let it cool often - and I see why. The cylinder head gets extremely hot during use.

I also have a DeWalt that is "primarily" a jumper battery but also has a tire pump. It's also relatively slow (not as slow as the cheapie.) It cost like $90. It's also kinda heavy to lug around in the car. I use it when I want to pump up all the tires a few PSI every few months. I make certain it is charged and then drag it down to the garage on a cart. Out on the road, I rely on the cheapie - which is still working after many years.

I do like the look of OPs device. I'll be looking for one as a replacement for my cheapie as it must be about ready to give up the ghost.

Good discussion!

[GA_Brown]

Purchased this one back in June, has a lithium battery and/or power cord. Has usb charging for phones and such. Carry it on my motorcycle but have used it on my truck tire. It takes a while on the truck tire.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sun-Joe-ATJ-CA100-Ultra-Compact-Cordless-Digital-Air-Pump-Inflator-Power-Bank-12-Volt-DC-Adaptor-USB-Type-A-Output-SOS-LED-Flashlight-140-PSI-Portabl/813235410?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13 =787&adid=22222222278813235410_117755028669_124201 45346&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=501 107745824&wl4=pla-294505072980&wl5=9010895&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl 10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=813235410&wl13=787&veh= sem_LIA&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgribBhDkARIsAASA5bsHVzQIFPHO z6pbDaLJ0wxcVpFG89RIC6Z1KcM8smIzsEHOxa8NEw0aAkOrEA Lw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Dean56]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sojourner I have purchased (from Walmart, IIRC) several of the cheap, generic, 12V-plugin tire inflators over the years. They work perfectly fine and are nice to have in case of a slow (or even moderately fast) leak that catches you by surprise while out and about somewhere.

I have purchased a couple of these myself. And they have worked great. One time I was out of town and spent the night at a hotel. The next morning I found one of my tires was flat. I used my portable air compressor and filled the tire back up. I was back on the road and later had the tire repaired.

[Retired Expat]

What about a can of Flat-fix? Which also has a sealant? I have always kept one in with my spare and have found them quick and easier than changing the tire for a slow leak.

But then nothing works on a real blowout

[Joggernot]

Fix-a-Flat isn't recommended by me. I have a somewhat larger tire inflater that takes a while to pump up a 50 psi truck tire and a 44 psi car tire. Doing eight requires one Churchill cigar and a book to read. I just add this time to my meditation/zen moments for the day.

[a60dan]

I received a Viair that connects to the vehicle battery.

Saved us in a campground when the DW picked up a sharp chunk of metal.

It’s rated to fill the. 80 PSI travel trailer tires but haven’t “battle tested” that yet.

[nobody]

I have a GSPSCN, I off road and it will fill my 35's from 10 psi to 32 in a couple of minutes per tire. Mine gets used a couple time a month. I've had it almost 2 years.

[ERD50]

Can anyone recommend a specific model that does not use a battery (just plugs into the 'cigarette lighter' (or cables to the battery), and is reliable (based on 1st hand experience)?

TIA - ERD50

[nobody]

GSPSCN B077N9PXV3 Might be more then what you need.

You can plug into cigarette lighter but also has a connector to connect to your battery. I use the connector to the battery never tried from the cigarette lighter.

[bltkmt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERD50 Can anyone recommend a specific model that does not use a battery (just plugs into the 'cigarette lighter' (or cables to the battery), and is reliable (based on 1st hand experience)? TIA - ERD50

I use this one - very accurate and fairly quick. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Audew-150PSI-120W-12V-Portable-Tire-Inflator-Digital-Air-Compressor-Pump-with-10ft-Cord/428974462?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101075 573&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3 =42423897272&wl4=aud-1651068663826la-51320962143&wl5=9003441&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl1 0=416748024&wl11=online&wl12=428974462_101075573&v eh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQiApb2bBhDYARIsAChHC9u7c0Tvn-WFgqrnqnBDltV25hWF4RraDeRznAkHrxDq3i1La-Nc3DYaAh1wEALw_wcB

[NoEZmoney]

I've had two, both cheapies from Wal-Mart or Big Lots. <$10 each. Replaced one after it gave up the ghost after about 10 yrs of service. Used them for various things, car tire pressure low at first temperature drop, air matresses, inflatable float devices, lawnmower tire refill, etc. Not real fast but they worked. I used my cheap-o inflater just a few minutes before I wrote this and topped off all the tires since car sensor showed them below recommended pressure since we had a temperature drop last night. Beats paying $1.50 at the DIY gas station or hassling with going to the garage.

[BobMW]

I am with the one I recently purchased, but it's intended use if for the air bags I added to the truck. For that it's working great so far. But I have not used it for auto/truck tires yet.

[SnowballCamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by a60dan I received a Viair that connects to the vehicle battery. Saved us in a campground when the DW picked up a sharp chunk of metal. It’s rated to fill the. 80 PSI travel trailer tires but haven’t “battle tested” that yet.

I've been happy with mine. Haven't needed it in an emergency situation yet, but it works great for the seasonal check/fill, even on the big pickup truck tires. Works for winterizing the camper too...

[Koolau]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retired Expat What about a can of Flat-fix? Which also has a sealant? I have always kept one in with my spare and have found them quick and easier than changing the tire for a slow leak. But then nothing works on a real blowout

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joggernot Fix-a-Flat isn't recommended by me. I have a somewhat larger tire inflater that takes a while to pump up a 50 psi truck tire and a 44 psi car tire. Doing eight requires one Churchill cigar and a book to read. I just add this time to my meditation/zen moments for the day.

I've used fix-a-flat and it does work to get you where you are going. I've never had it "fix" the tire and I found out that tire repair shops do not like fix-a-flat in the tire (and may refuse to repair the tire.) Don't know why though I suspect it's 'cause it's gunky but YMMV.