Truckster (Vic) replied:

Doesnt sound like it pumps fast, but hey if your happy thats all that matters.

Some of the cheaper ones have plastic pistons which wont last poo with heat.

I would go for one with a fan for the reason of lasting a decent length of time.. if it gets hot too often, it will die.

Pay a little more - do a lot more.

Member - Jeff M (WA) replied:

I went through two of those "Hurricane" style compressors in 6 months. They just could not cope. After one tyre it was red hot, would take 15 minutes to cool down and so on. If you kept using it it melted.

16" tyre to 32psi in 6 minutes. That's pretty crap. Does it say anything else about the tyre? Width, Height etc?? Could be a RAV for tyre, the use a 16" Rim....

The Blue tounge IV will do a 15" 10R Bridgstone DD from 16 to 32psi in 2 minutes flat all day long in 40degree heat. Obviously more expensive but just for an idea as to what the higher end of the market are doing for a comparison.

I reckon for a cheap emergancy style unit I would get one of those Kmart "Truck Air" compressors, they are also crap but have a fan and are about $70 I think. I had one and altough it was slow it never missed a beat. Only thing is though, chop off the cigarette lighter plug and put battery clips on it. It'll work fast and won't burn out your lighter plugs.

rb30s replied:

Phil

If your budget is under $100, go to BIG W. They have a 72LPM(free air) compressor called Flowmax HFC7201, that will pump a 4wd tyre up in about 4 minutes. They have a .25 HP motor and will do several tyres before needing a rest. They have a .25 HP motor and come with a 1 year warrantee. There are better pumps out there... but if you want good material value for money, they are only $90 and are perfect for occasional use.

Adrian

Member - Sand Man (SA) replied:

Phil,

Another thing to consider is the reseating of bead should tyre come off the rim.
Chances are the cheaper compressors would not have sufficient grunt to "pop" the bead. Guess it depends on your overall needs hey!

Member - Royce replied:

Got one. Us it often. ... but I haven't really needed it for serious inflation.... on a low budget worth having.... but I hope to upgrade.... IF I CAN STOP SPENDING on other stuff...... see post elsewhere!!

Bruiser replied:

Phil brought one too pump up pollyair springs works ok for this had the need to pump 205/75/16tyres from 25psi to40psi it got 1 to 35 psi before thermal overload cutout cut in restart after acouple of minutes it would only run for about 30 seconds taking it back to dealer who assured me it would pump up atleast 1tyre before cutting out

D-Jack replied:

I can vouch for the Truck Air that has already been mentioned. Only reason I got a Blue Tongue was the hose started to deteriorate (after about 5 years) and wanted one mounted under the front seat. They are a good unit. I used to inflate 4 x 31/10.5R15LT Desert Duelers from 15 to 38 psi (Highway pressure) and it took all up about 20 minutes if I remember correctly. Never cut out (except when I blew a fuse once). Go the alligator clips straight onto the battery and run the engine. Don't know about anything else in this price range but the Truck Air will do the job you're talking about. I've seen them for $50 on special but are about $70 normal price at discount auto marts.

D-Jack