I have had a couple of 12v compressors over the years,
I wouldn`t be with out one in the boot, they take ten or so minutes to blow a car tyre up, but you only stand and watch, as opposed to puffing and panting with a foot pump.
for less than twenty quid they`re definite value for money.
I have a compressor but never use it. But I would if I had to pump something up from totally flat. We are keen cyclists, and always have a floorstanding bike pump with us. This tops up the car tyres without any problem, and saves carrying a footpump.
I have a compressor and took the old cable off and replaced it with a spare extention cable so it will reach the van tyre's its kept in the car all the time why use the legs when you can use the car.
I have been using these for years, BUT please beware of the cheap and cheerful models which are fine for 'normal' car tyres, bikes etc but will not cut it for caravan tyres which usually require substantially higher pressure. I have two 12v compressor pumps; both bought a few years ago to pump up the tyres after a day's driving in the sand dunes of Saudi. However, only the 'heavy duty' model will pump my caravan tyres up to the required 66 psi. When I say heavy duty I don't mean super expensive, I mean that the model has been designed to cope with truck tyres as opposed to smaller vehicles. However it'll suit car tyres as well as the caravan.
A useful article in last month's CC magazine suggests that you use the 12S socket at the rear of the tow car for the 12v power; much more convenient than trying to put crocodile clips on the battery!
Well no it's not. The 12v cigar lighter at the rear of the car is not designed for heavy electrical throughput; hence the reason why all 'heavy duty' compressors have to be connected directly to the 12v battery; they really draw some power! The 12S connector is able to provide the power you need and is much easier to 'plug in' as opposed to lifting the bonnet and playing around with crocodile clips on the battery. The spare 12S socket can be bought from Halfords for around
Hi, I just use the 12v socket at the back of the car, (or the cigar lighter socket at the front) after all that's the plug that's on it. My compressor can blow up tyres to 125psi and who needs that? I use it for the car and caravan. Try not to use it for any longer than ten minutes at one go, otherwise let it cool down for five minutes. Unless your tyre is completely flat ten minutes is long enough. It only cost
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