DeWalt Compressor

[Prairie Dog]

anyone know if the small portable DeWalt compressor with 20V battery will air up the front tires to 130 psi? The box says it is rated to 160, but will it actually do the job? Thanks

[777 Driver]

Hi Bill,

I've used one for a couple of years for tire top-off on my '18 Anthem. No problem pushing a few psi into the fronts (125 psi) or the drives/tags (much lower).

I certainly wouldn't count on it to inflate a tire from 0 psi. However, for just adjusting pressure on a cold morning, it works fine. I carry a more robust compressor buried deep in the basement if I need more air, but, the DeWalt is the "go to" for minor pressure adjustments.

For me, much of the attraction was that I already had some DeWalt tools so I didn't need batteries/charger.

Take care,
Stu

[paul65k]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

Hi Bill,

I've used one for a couple of years for tire top-off on my '18 Anthem. No problem pushing a few psi into the fronts (125 psi) or the drives/tags (much lower).

I certainly wouldn't count on it to inflate a tire from 0 psi. However, for just adjusting pressure on a cold morning, it works fine. I carry a more robust compressor buried deep in the basement if I need more air, but, the DeWalt is the "go to" for minor pressure adjustments.

For me, much of the attraction was that I already had some DeWalt tools so I didn't need batteries/charger.

Take care,
Stu

Exactly......Milwaukee has a similar unit for those who already have the Milwaukee suite.

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by paul65k

Exactly......Milwaukee has a similar unit for those who already have the Milwaukee suite.

Hi Paul,

I'm sure that the Milwaukee offering is similarly priced and every bit as capable as the DeWalt.

If you already have the batteries/charger for one or the other, for me, that's the deal "maker".

I wouldn't be surprised to have some ViAir fans pop up. No dispute, at all, that ViAir's RV inflators are a GREAT product. They've just seemed to be much more expensive and verging on overkill if all you need is the occasional top-off.

Take care,
Stu

[paul65k]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

Hi Paul,

I'm sure that the Milwaukee offering is similarly priced and every bit as capable as the DeWalt.

If you already have the batteries/charger for one or the other, for me, that's the deal "maker".

I wouldn't be surprised to have some ViAir fans pop up. No dispute, at all, that ViAir's RV inflators are a GREAT product. They've just seemed to be much more expensive and verging on overkill if all you need is the occasional top-off.

Take care,
Stu

Candidly while I do carry a mix of Milwaukee 12V and 18V stuff onboard I have a small California Air tools compressor which can handle all of our 295/80/22.5 tires on 110V and is more competent with 5.3 CFM@90 PSI. I don't have the need for a battery operated unit as we have a pretty good size solar/battery/inverter system onboard

[Prairie Dog]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

Hi Bill,



I've used one for a couple of years for tire top-off on my '18 Anthem. No problem pushing a few psi into the fronts (125 psi) or the drives/tags (much lower).



I certainly wouldn't count on it to inflate a tire from 0 psi. However, for just adjusting pressure on a cold morning, it works fine. I carry a more robust compressor buried deep in the basement if I need more air, but, the DeWalt is the "go to" for minor pressure adjustments.



For me, much of the attraction was that I already had some DeWalt tools so I didn't need batteries/charger.



Take care,

Stu

Stu,
I thought I saw you had one from a previous post. I do already have a 20 V DeWalt drill, although my drill only has 2AH batts. I see there are 4 and 5 AH batts at Home Depot, but they are pricey($119 ea). Wondering if I would need one. The DeWalt compressor is only $99, but comes with no batt or charger. Guess if I was going cheap I could get it and see if my two 2AH batts are good enough.
Bill

[schad]

If I'm looking at the same DeWalt compressor, it can be powered by battery, 12V (cigarette lighter), and 110V. So you don't strictly need a battery at all.

The problem with smaller pumps is not usually whether they'll do it, but whether they'll do it before melting down. I believe the top-end Viair inflators have a 100% duty cycle, but I doubt very much that this DW does. I couldn't find any information about the DW's duty cycle anywhere (just a couple other people asking the same question). Intuitively, it might seem that topping-off a tire is an easier task for an inflator, but that's not actually true. At higher PSIs the inflator will have to work much harder to add the same amount of air, which means it will take longer and generate more waste heat.

To sum up, it should work just fine, but probably only for 5 to 15 minutes at a time. Any longer than that and you'd need to let it cool down before using it again. (And don't make my mistake and leave it sitting in the sun. Heat sinks work both ways!)

By the way, if you're looking for a tool to go with your DW or Mil batteries, I strongly recommend the grease gun. I don't think I've ever been so in love with a tool before.

[Prairie Dog]

Originally Posted by schad

If I'm looking at the same DeWalt compressor, it can be powered by battery, 12V (cigarette lighter), and 110V. So you don't strictly need a battery at all.



The problem with smaller pumps is not usually whether they'll do it, but whether they'll do it before melting down. I believe the top-end Viair inflators have a 100% duty cycle, but I doubt very much that this DW does. I couldn't find any information about the DW's duty cycle anywhere (just a couple other people asking the same question). Intuitively, it might seem that topping-off a tire is an easier task for an inflator, but that's not actually true. At higher PSIs the inflator will have to work much harder to add the same amount of air, which means it will take longer and generate more waste heat.



To sum up, it should work just fine, but probably only for 5 to 15 minutes at a time. Any longer than that and you'd need to let it cool down before using it again. (And don't make my mistake and leave it sitting in the sun. Heat sinks work both ways!)



By the way, if you're looking for a tool to go with your DW or Mil batteries, I strongly recommend the grease gun. I don't think I've ever been so in love with a tool before.

The manual says 10 min max

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by Prairie Dog

I do already have a 20 V DeWalt drill, although my drill only has 2AH batts. I see there are 4 and 5 AH batts at Home Depot, but they are pricey($119 ea). Wondering if I would need one.

Originally Posted by schad

If I'm looking at the same DeWalt compressor, it can be powered by battery, 12V (cigarette lighter), and 110V. So you don't strictly need a battery at all.

Hi Bill,

As schad had noted, multiple ways to power the DeWalt inflator. I've found my 2AH batteries to be adequate for the occasional top off.

Take care,
Stu