Tire inflator...

[Jim_HiTek]

For the last 20 years of full time RV'ing, I have been trying to find a decent RV'ers air compressor. I liked the small tankless compressors for their compact size but the problem was they were always underpowered and often only went to 55 PSI or so. My tires need 95-125 PSI so I carried a pancake compressor but the one I found in the recycle bin at an RV park only went to 100 PSI and struggled to reach that. The compressors I found at hardware stores were always too big or too costly for me.

But waiting finally paid off. Though I'd found tiny tankless compressors with a high output PSI over the years they were very expensive, around $300 (they have come down in price over the years). But recently, I was looking for a pancake compressor determined to ignore the price, something in the 150 PSI range. And I browsed the Home Depot's offerings in the compressor section of the 'Tools' area. Finally settled on a pancake compressor for over $200 and put it in my cart but as I was leaving, over on the exterior wall opposite the tools area I spotted a shelf full of boxes of a tankless compressor. Stopped by to check it out, and whoa! it was what I've been trying to find all these years and at $49. (This was just before xmas and now they are $39).

It's a Husky 120 Vac inflator with auto shutoff. Inflates up to 130 PSI, 2-year warranty. Model #1009 544 671.

It's well made and it works great. Connect the locking valve (I have brass valve extensions so it fits fine on all my tires), press and hold the up arrow to scroll up to set the desired pressure, and off it goes. A few minutes later, it shuts off after reaching the pressure.

Barely takes up any room in the basement compartment. Uses 120 Vac but that's not a problem if I'm at an RV park or if my genset is running.

I am not a stock holder in Husky or Home Depot. And Ebay carries them too.

Since I don't do air tool work on my RV, preferring to leave heavy work like that to the pros, I don't need a tank and this small device just fits the bill for my needs. I'm pleased that I could put that pancake compressor back on the recycle table.

[THenne1713]

<< It's a Husky 120 Vac inflator with auto shutoff. Inflates up to 130 PSI, 2-year warranty. Model #1009 544 671.>>
- I love my Kobalt auto shutoff, but did smoke/ melt the plastic valve on the 12vdc side of the dual voltage... inflating too many tire to 80-psi without proper cooldown...and no parts available... so had to fabricate a new valve.... now have to find/ fix the short on the 12v side from reassembly... so take it back apart

[Duner]

Like reply #2, I've discovered thru the years regarding low dollar compressors, you must read the manual and do not exceed the allowed duty cycle. If they don't melt down on the outside, they quickly wear out the piston or valves.

I've had a Harbor Freight $75 High Volume compressor for about 15 years. I use it to top off my MH tires. I usually take them from 98 psi back up to 102 psi x6 tires. What I learned works great is to use a cup of water and a brush and make it "water cooled". As it may take 10-20 minutes to top off all 6 tires, I don't have to wait 5 or 10 minutes for cool down with every 2 minutes of high pressure run time. But all the while I'm dipping and brushing water on the head & cylinder of the compressor.

With the Husky you choose, I don't see how to avoid a long delay for cool down period when working at higher pressures. Does it have a substantial fan blowing on cooling fins? That could improve the working duty cycle.

Happy Trails,
Bill

[VanDiemen23]

OP, since you have a DP, can't you just use the compressor on the diesel?

And 125psi???

[shepardmike]

Originally Posted by VanDiemen23

OP, since you have a DP, can't you just use the compressor on the diesel?

And 125psi???

Yes you can, but many have added something like this - SMC VBA10A-T02-Z booster regulator with good results.

[VanDiemen23]

well that's interesting, hadn't heard of one of those before. My only issues with the onboard is that it produces a LOT of water.

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by VanDiemen23

well that's interesting, hadn't heard of one of those before. My only issues with the onboard is that it produces a LOT of water.

If you're seeing a "LOT" of water/moisture being expelled from the outlet where you have an air line attached to fill your tires, you've got something seriously wrong with your air dryer in the coach. Not only that but, if the moisture is getting up that high into that line, your tanks might have quite a bit of moisture in them too.

The problem with topping off higher pressure tires with upwards of 100 psi or more is the on-board engine compressors and the system is really NOT designed to provide such a high volume WITH associated pressure(s). Yes, they do run to around 120 psi. But, even with a system topped off and sitting at 120 psi., the minute you begin to top off one tire, you deplete the amount of air above your starting amount in your tire down to your equal amount you're working at.

What this means is, once the coaches air system is equal to the present tire pressure you're working with at that time, and not the desired higher pressure you're aiming at, the coach engine will have to be started to bring the system up to its cut-off point of 120 and you start all over again. Depending on how high of tire pressure one has to achieve, the amount of cycles of engine driven compressor needs to do, may be several, just for one tire.

For me personally, I'd rather not wake up the entire campground by running a CAT 330HP air compressor just to add a few lbs to a tire or two. I'd much rather run whatever small 120VAC compressor I have at that time to do the chore. Waaaaaaaaaay quieter and way cheaper to run.
Scott

[walkers]

I found this video quite helpful in putting together something to use the onboard compressor to inflate the tires on our diesel pusher:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5fK...hannel=RVgeeks

It worked great, but I still decided to get a Viair 12 volt compressor, which works well and is simpler for us to use. Here is the Viair compressor we use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

[VanDiemen23]

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

If you're seeing a "LOT" of water/moisture being expelled from the outlet where you have an air line attached to fill your tires, you've got something seriously wrong with your air dryer in the coach.
Scott

My coach only uses the air system to set the parking brake. Coach brakes are hydraulic over hydraulic.

Been thinking of putting an automatic drain valve on the tank similar to what I have on my shop compressor. It has two manual drains and I have a setup that plugs into the stem with a water separator before the air lines I run to the tires.

As far as noise goes, I can fill the tires while the coach warms up, you only need a PSI or two at the most.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

If you're seeing a "LOT" of water/moisture being expelled from the outlet where you have an air line attached to fill your tires, you've got something seriously wrong with your air dryer in the coach. Not only that but, if the moisture is getting up that high into that line, your tanks might have quite a bit of moisture in them too.

The problem with topping off higher pressure tires with upwards of 100 psi or more is the on-board engine compressors and the system is really NOT designed to provide such a high volume WITH associated pressure(s). Yes, they do run to around 120 psi. But, even with a system topped off and sitting at 120 psi., the minute you begin to top off one tire, you deplete the amount of air above your starting amount in your tire down to your equal amount you're working at.

What this means is, once the coaches air system is equal to the present tire pressure you're working with at that time, and not the desired higher pressure you're aiming at, the coach engine will have to be started to bring the system up to its cut-off point of 120 and you start all over again. Depending on how high of tire pressure one has to achieve, the amount of cycles of engine driven compressor needs to do, may be several, just for one tire.

For me personally, I'd rather not wake up the entire campground by running a CAT 330HP air compressor just to add a few lbs to a tire or two. I'd much rather run whatever small 120VAC compressor I have at that time to do the chore. Waaaaaaaaaay quieter and way cheaper to run.
Scott

We diesel owners hear enough flack already, and an idling 330HP air compressor would really bring it on.
I have the Harbor Freight 150 psi, 12V model and it works well too

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by VanDiemen23

My coach only uses the air system to set the parking brake. Coach brakes are hydraulic over hydraulic.

Been thinking of putting an automatic drain valve on the tank similar to what I have on my shop compressor. It has two manual drains and I have a setup that plugs into the stem with a water separator before the air lines I run to the tires.

As far as noise goes, I can fill the tires while the coach warms up, you only need a PSI or two at the most.

One or two psi is nitpicking IMO. I keep my MH tires aired to the Federal Tire Placard specs and never have to worry about 1 or 2 psi./anything less than 5#.

[THenne1713]

Like others say, U have issue. Compressing air compresses moisture and it should auto drain, or manually be drained from tank/s; have seen small compressor w/ 1-galllon tank used for pneumatic controls on a small machine was completely full of water.... caught MY ear at work bc it was cycling every 15-20-seconds....

[Unplanned Tourist]

Look at DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, or any of the other popular brands of cordless air compressors. They work exceptionally good.

BYW, ask a professinal truck driver how often he checks tire pressures. They are experts in the field, and believe me, they don't want a flat or blow-out.