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Recommended tire inflator/compressor for Prius Four?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Chris SA, Nov 14, 2021.

  1. Chris SA

    Chris SA Junior Member

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    I've had a Craftsman AC air compressor/tire inflator for probably 20 years. Though loud, it was fast and obviously sturdy, as I used it monthly for two cars. It has finally given up the ghost. The same-looking model for sale now is described as trash by reviewers, a too-common occurrence these days. I've been browsing reviews for a replacement and am having trouble finding anything that would work dependably with my Prius and my Honda for at least 12V use and preferably AC power as well. (I frequently travel in remote areas and have managed to use the AC one with an inverter twice in awkward situations.) Anyone here find something that works well, doesn't break after two uses, and doesn't use more amps than the Prius can handle from the power outlets? (I believe it uses 15A circuits; my Honda has 20A.) Thanks for any recommendations!
     
  2. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

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    I've tried those cordless inflators on Amazon but are cheap, Chinese-made, and they overheat and the plastic inflator tips melt right off....so mad! I hate Chinese junk!
    For our RV, we have a VIAIR 90P portable air compressor that you can run off your 12-volt car battery....not loud but inflates super-fast. Since it's a long way from the Tundra battery to the camper tires, I added about 20-foot of cord to mine....love it!! (It draws a lot of amps so best if the vehicle is running when you use it.)

     
  3. Chris SA

    Chris SA Junior Member

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    Thanks! VIAIR units in various sizes and configurations seem to get fairly high review marks, though they are made in China as well according to the Amazon spec list (but what isn't these days?). I'm also looking at their slightly cheaper models. Do you need to have your engine running when the 90P is hooked up using the battery clamps?
     
  4. jteran5

    jteran5 Active Member

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    The fuse is rated for 15amps but right on the outlet it says 10amps. I was using a nice compressor that was rated at 15amps but after one use, it would constantly blow the fuse each time I even tried to use it. So I started looking for one that was actually rated at 10 amps.

    I've been using the Tacklife M2 consistently without any issues and it is very fast. It stated 1.43CFW which was much faster than other 10amp inflators. The only "issue" that I saw that people had was that the gauge isn't accurate but I think it has to do more with the air lost when you remove the plug from the stem. However, in my case, I always inflate a couple of psi over my desired amount and use a tire preessur gauge to dial in the exact amount I want.

    The average price is $40 and it used to be carried on Amazon but has been pulled months ago. I can only assume because they were running some promos in it and Amazon was also discounting separately and final cost was about $25. I picked up a couple myself during this time and wanted to get a 3rd for parents car but not sure I want to pay whatever the current price is on their site.

    Here's a link on it https://tacklifetools.com/products/tacklife-m2-12v-dc-portable-air-compressor 12_22437718-625e-4e7a-acab-8d45ff68b18b.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  5. Chris SA

    Chris SA Junior Member

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    Thanks! Other reviews looked positive, and Newegg is selling this for $25 with free shipping, while Walmart has it for $57, so I may give it a try at that cheap price point. The VIAIR units look good too but are quite a bit more expensive--quite possibly because they are much better made. There's also the issue mentioned above about amps; the VIAIR and several other brands require at least 15 amps and may blow a fuse in the Prius, while the Tacklife says it only draws 10 amps. I'll update once I've made a decision and tried it out.
     
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  6. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

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    Smart..the Tundra, of course, has a big alternator while the Prius doesn't...the traction battery is used by the computer when the 12-volt needs it. I haven't used the Viair with the Prius.
     
    Chris SA likes this.
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Got this about a year back, works well:

    upload_2021-11-15_13-3-17.png

    Just yesterday brought all the tires on a CX-5 from 30 psi to 36. It pushes on and seals to the valve easily, and took 60 strokes per corner.
     
  8. jteran5

    jteran5 Active Member

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    I did see it on Newegg but a lot of times I see anything and everything on their site and unless it's straight from them, I'm a little hesitant if they will actually fulfill the order or send you a cancelation email afterwards, or even worse, order is stuck in limbo with no updates lol. If it does go through, post it up. I might get another one or two as Christmas gifts. I've been extremely happy with it.

    The only thing that I don't like (which I should have mentioned earlier, sorry) is that as soon as you plug it in, the machinr will make a noise like there's a fan spinning or something (hard to explain) even if you haven't turn on the compressor yet. Not that I hate it, but just that I expect it to be silent/off until I turn it on. I don't know why it does that or if thats the case with other compressors, but I haven't had any functioning issues at all. The best thing I like about it is how portable and small it is. When it's in the storage case, it takes up no room. I've actually lost it under my seat once

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  9. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    +1 on the full manual inflator. Very little noise, no blown fuses, full control of the inflation process, and some exercise to boot. I've been using a 30 year old Silca floor pump for this job, and my bicycle tires also. Found a online snip of part of it.

    [​IMG]
     
    #9 AzWxGuy, Nov 15, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2021
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  10. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    I used to use this very one in my Previous car, a toyota matrix and I must have used it 50-75 times thanks to an odd custom rim issue. I doubt they still sell it in the stores but here it is (I think I paid like 9.95 for it back in 2005:

    Portable Tire Inflator Car Air Pump Compressor Electric Auto DC 12V 150PSI Mini Air Compressor - Walmart.com

    I got a cheap microcompact one that fits in the tire well and styrofoam for my Prius but I wouldn't trust it for durability, just hopefully works that once or twice when I really need it.
     
  11. Chris SA

    Chris SA Junior Member

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    You and Mendel have backs in better condition than mine, I'd say. :) But it does make for a little exercise while adding air, so that's a nice 2-for 1.
     
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  12. Chris SA

    Chris SA Junior Member

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    Newegg.com delivered it with free shipping in about five days. The pump worked fine. It was slower than my old Craftman AC model, but much quieter. Probably took two minutes to take a 15" tire from 31 to 37 psi. I was surprised by the initial sound it made on starting, but that is unimportant. The gauge was dead-on for the first tire I added air to, but seemed to register about 1-1.5 psi too high compared to my manual gauge on the others. The 12V cord could be just a little longer for ease of use, but it was okay. The connection with the dash 12V outlet was a bit wonky; the plug had to be inserted just right. The pump and box had stickers indicating that the car should be started first, then the pump plugged in. I tried it on "accessory," rather than with the engine fully on, and it worked fine. The built-in light was bright and has the option to flash or to flash an SOS pattern (useful when you're waiting for the Coast Guard to show up :) So, overall I'm satisfied with this, especially based on price and its small size.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The caution to have car fully on is likely to avoid overtaxing the battery.
     
  14. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    While I can't compare to other electrics, my bike pump is also much faster than my 12V electric.
    7 strokes per psi on my Prius. 10 strokes on my Forester, consistent with that CX-5.
    Having the car fully on also boosts the 12V supply voltage significantly, probably speeding up the inflator.
     
    #14 fuzzy1, Nov 22, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2021
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  15. jteran5

    jteran5 Active Member

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    Definitely try it with the car running. I go from 38 psi to 45 in maybe 30 seconds. I don't think I've ever used a compressor in ACC mode for any car. Always worried it would stress the 12V car battery. I find this compressor really fast.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    Chris SA likes this.