12V Compressors

VortecJeep

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Aug 24, 2005
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Concord, NC
I want a 12 volt compressor capable of airing up 37s in a reasonable amount of time and that is not permanently mounted so I can move it between vehicles.

Viair and ARB are crazy expensive. There seems to be several compressors of dual-piston design that claim good numbers and are in the range of $280- $330. They all look the same with a different color or logo and claim the same specs (EZ Flate, Morr Flate, All Top…)

Anybody used any of these? The videos online look like they’d be decent.
 
I have been using one of these since 2002, I think I'm on my 2nd one. Works great for airing up my 37s. Its not the fastest, but it works, I usually toss it on while I'm packing up camp and check the pressure when it looks right. Takes maybe 20mins to air up all 4 from 2psi to 25ish depending on the outside air temps.

I have been looking at a moreflate, but this won't die and they just work.
 
I have been using one of these since 2002, I think I'm on my 2nd one. Works great for airing up my 37s. Its not the fastest, but it works, I usually toss it on while I'm packing up camp and check the pressure when it looks right. Takes maybe 20mins to air up all 4 from 2psi to 25ish depending on the outside air temps.

I have been looking at a moreflate, but this won't die and they just work.
I have 2 i bought from harbor freight that looks like that except they are chrome case instead of red. They work great it will air my dually tires up to 60 psi no problem. Not as fast as shop air but faster than most. I have had one for over 10 years and the other one about 5 years now.
 
I also have a second Viair 450 that is a bit rough around the edges (needs hose, cosmetic corrosion on the aluminum from being in a leaky and wet truck toolbox) that I would consider parting with.
 
All of the dual piston high flows are copies of this compressor;


The differentiation between them is usually in the fill hose designs that come with them, and some of them have pressure sensor cut off switches so they don't keep running when you hit the target.

The base design is very good, but there is a lot of variation in the final QC. If you go with one of them, take the heads off before you use it the first time, and make sure it has oil on the pistons. If not put some on there, close it up and use it. I have two that I've done that with, and both still run strong, one is about 7 years old.

Also resist the temptation to fill one tire at a time, it's a 10cfm compressor, and it'll wear out quicker trying to push all that air through one 2.3cfm Schrader valve.

If you Google Napa Maxi Trac, you'll find a lot of maintenance tips, and modifications that apply to all of them, they have quite a following.
 
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I'm not sure the Milwaukee M18 compressor would meet your speed expectations, but it's the handiest tool I've bought in a long time. Super easy to use, easy to move around since battery powered, and reasonably quiet for what it is.
This.
Not the fastest but the portability and the target set psi makes it hella convenient
 
I'm not sure the Milwaukee M18 compressor would meet your speed expectations, but it's the handiest tool I've bought in a long time. Super easy to use, easy to move around since battery powered, and reasonably quiet for what it is.
I don't have any M18 stuff, only M12. I have been HIGHLY impressed with the M12 compressor. I do want to add one of these however:

1792272708571.png
 
I don't have any M18 stuff, only M12. I have been HIGHLY impressed with the M12 compressor. I do want to add one of these however:

View attachment 462275

I Like the Jaco Lightning S for a locking chuck....


They've almost doubled in price since I last bought some though :(

Looks like Skog makes a version of the lightning too

 
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Also resist the temptation to fill one tire at a time, it's a 10cfm compressor, and it'll wear out quicker trying to push all that air through one 2.3cfm Schrader valve.
I'm a little slow, and this may be a dumb question so I'm asking for a friend, lol. How do you go about delivering air to multiple tires at once? Obvious answer is to split the hose/plumbing to multiple chucks (~4), but I also realize y'all are a lot more smarter than I is... errr I mean my friend. TIA
 
I'm a little slow, and this may be a dumb question so I'm asking for a friend, lol. How do you go about delivering air to multiple tires at once? Obvious answer is to split the hose/plumbing to multiple chucks (~4), but I also realize y'all are a lot more smarter than I is... errr I mean my friend. TIA
^^^ Missed the morrflat post. My bad.
 
I'm a little slow, and this may be a dumb question so I'm asking for a friend, lol. How do you go about delivering air to multiple tires at once? Obvious answer is to split the hose/plumbing to multiple chucks (~4), but I also realize y'all are a lot more smarter than I is... errr I mean my friend. TIA
With a manifold like this;


Then 4 hoses with the Jaco lightning quick connects I linked in an earlier post.

Then you can put as many or few connectors on it as you want. if you only put two on it, then the other two won't be blowing air out...

I can do 4 37's from 12 to 32PSI in about 15 minutes with that setup
 
A few have mentioned the Milwaukee already and I have one on the work truck and works great but I have a dewalt here at the house and it runs of dewalt 20v, 12v or 110 and it’s not shop air but it gets the job done
 
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