Tyre inflators / compressors / pumps / whatever you wanna call 'em

Howard

Howard

Howard

Soldato
Joined
12 Jul 2007
Posts
16,318
Location
South East
I have a 12v powered one at the moment but it's fiddly and very slow, and I keep having to fix the lighter socket plug.

Can anyone recommend a (preferably mains-powered) one, that works quickly and efficiently? With a nice gauge and such?


Ta!
 
I 'spose, it's just a bit of a faff when I check all our tyres every couple of weeks to have to unlock each car, dangle the wires through, etc... Be much easier if I could just run the extension cable out of the garage. And I'll just keep the old 12v one in my boot for emergencies
 
I've actually been to three petrol stations recently to use their air machines. I kid you not, every one was broken. Why do they not bother to keep them maintained :confused:
 
If you want mains powered you might be best with a small compressor and a tyre inflator attachment.

I've got the older Ring RAC600 and it's great - but it's lighter powered. You just set the pressure on the digital gauge and it turns itself off when it's done.
 
I'd second the small compressor and tyre inflater if you've got the room to store it.

We got a 25 litre one (ok not that small;)) from Aldi about 4 or 5 years back for ~£70 with a full set of inflaters etc (air gun, degreaser etc) which is great for pumping up car and bike tyres, it's also seen use with a nail gun and various other tools.

I've seen them on ebay often for £25> collection only as they're heavy beasts, but much much better than the piddly little things you put in the back of your car (a decent size piston rather than a tiddly piston or diaphragm).
The only thing to remember is that you'll probably want a decent size coiling air hose for it if you want to be able to do all 4 tyres easily.

As for the petrol station compressors, I suspect even the ones that charge don't actually make any money given the way people abuse them, and the cost of keeping them running/safety checked.
 
Buy a footpump, cheap, reliable, environmentally friendly and a few minutes free exercise every couple of weeks!
 
a1ex2001 said:
Buy a footpump, cheap, reliable, environmentally friendly and a few minutes free exercise every couple of weeks!
Click to expand...

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Howard said:
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Click to expand...

Seriously though I've never really understood why most people bother with the crappy electric things when a good footpump is cheaper, more reliable and not really anymore time consuming. Mind you I do get plenty of funny looks on the street outside my house when I'm pumping up the tyres on our cars expecially from posh kids who've probably no idea what a foot pump is.
 
Get a ring one ... Petrol stations dont bother any more cos theyre inflators get thrown on the ground, run over etc and it takes a lot of 20ps to make up the repair and maintanence costs...
 
Recently paid £27 for a Ring automatic shut off jobbie. Really pleased with it but it is 12V.

When I was looking I spied a rechargable one at Halfords but I think it was around the £50 mark even with money off.

I too find that petrol station ones either don't work, have the worlds slowest OAP on them (always the free ones) or I don't have any change. Tyres are normally warm by the time I get to one too although I'm not sure how much of a difference that makes.
 
My brother has asked for one for Christmas, so after some decent reviews i've got him a Ring branded one.

I personally though have always hated the things, i much prefer the local petrol station (if it's working) or a decent air compressor.
 
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