Compressor or Jumpre/Compressor?

[RabidPony]

I'm going to be building a storage rack to replace my spare tire and I'm wanting to build it to fit whatever I am going to put in it so there's no rattling of stuff stored in it. The main thing that I'll be putting in it is a compressor. However, I am trying to decide between a separate compressor and jumper box or cables, or a combined compressor/jumper box. Honestly, I'm leaning toward the separate units because that way I can get a compressor with a longer air hose. Opinions?

[rowhard]

I'm going to be building a storage rack to replace my spare tire and I'm wanting to build it to fit whatever I am going to put in it so there's no rattling of stuff stored in it. The main thing that I'll be putting in it is a compressor. However, I am trying to decide between a separate compressor and jumper box or cables, or a combined compressor/jumper box. Honestly, I'm leaning toward the separate units because that way I can get a compressor with a longer air hose. Opinions?

Our boss was working on a air compressor storage setup in the rear door storage area, not sure if he finished it. I also did a inside vertical tire storage but the rear seat needs to be removed if that gives you any idea's

[vt_maverick]

I think the point about having a longer air hose is irrelevant. If you get a combined jump starter / compressor, then you'll be able to take it out and move it wherever you need it. On the other hand, if you decide to go with an industrial strength offroad-type air compressor, it will generally come with a much longer hose to stretch the length of the vehicle. So I think you just need to decide what you want out of your compressor - emergency / light offroading only, or heavy duty usage (air tools, lockers and the like).

If you decide to go the portable route, check out this thread:

Recommendations for a Battery Booster / Jump Starter?

[Marlin]

Or skip the superslow limited compressor and get a small CO2 bottle. I have a mid size 20lb bottle. I can fill up dozens of 33" tires, and it takes less than 30 sec/tire for me to go from 15lbs to 40lbs in each of my tires. An air compressor would take several minutes to do each one, and would far exceed the duty cycle, unless its a really nice air compressor. I did several folks at Moab in 09. With a spring style hose, I can keep the bottle in the VX, and fill up my tow rig and trailer as well! There are smaller bottles available, and CO2 is pretty cheap. I used to pay 8 dollars for a 20lb fill up. You can get a 10lb or smaller paintball style bottle, get the right adapter and voila. Volumes of "air" for much cheaper. No worries about heat. My relief has never lifted and it sits in my truck 24/7. Just a thought for you. I would also recommend the Titan exhaust jack.

[vt_maverick]

Good point Marlin, here's a pic of what it would look like in your rear door, courtesy of Bart (nfpgasmask).



Super clean IMHO.

[vt_maverick]

Btw, the starter/compressor that I got would definitely fit in the rear tire area. Imagine this in the pic above:

[Marlin]

If it is just for emergency use, here ya go, would probably do all 5 of your tires from flat to full:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Power-tool-tire-...#ht_1970wt_930

[Marlin]

Correction, my bottle is 25lb, not 20...my bad. Standard beverage size bottle. Got it on ebay with hose and regulator for 140 bucks or so.

[Marlin]

Here is a chart that breaks down the times and whatnot for various size tires to give you an idea of CO2 capability.
http://www.powertank.com/graphics/nc900.gif

A 5 lb tank will air up a 32" tire from 15lb to 35lb in 22 sec. You can do 13 tires at that rating. So a 20oz bottle should do 1/4 of that or 3 and some change tires. You could refill the bottle at any paintball or welding supply shop. I would recommend the 5lb bottle or bigger if you are using it for wheeling.

[Triathlete]

I think the point about having a longer air hose is irrelevant.

Thats what she said!

As far as the original question. The problem with the combo air/jumpers is the compressors are slow and not for constant type use. You might be able to air up one tire that is a few pounds low and thats about it before it over heats and fries. Also with the combo units if one or the other breaks you have to replace both.
I would rather have a good compressor. Co2 tanks are nice but if the safety cap blows it is not a good experience inside your VX...I know first hand! The windows frost over and the oxygen is gone in an instant! If your driving down the freeway you can imagine. You can also hook your compressor into a small storage tank.

[vt_maverick]

You might be able to air up one tire that is a few pounds low and thats about it before it over heats and fries.

Not true - the Cobra unit that I have will punch all four tires (31") from 15-35 lbs without burning up or even consuming the entire battery. But it does take awhile as Marlin mentioned, probably 3-5 minutes per tire.

[Marlin]

Thats what she said!

As far as the original question. The problem with the combo air/jumpers is the compressors are slow and not for constant type use. You might be able to air up one tire that is a few pounds low and thats about it before it over heats and fries. Also with the combo units if one or the other breaks you have to replace both.
I would rather have a good compressor. Co2 tanks are nice but if the safety cap blows it is not a good experience inside your VX...I know first hand! The windows frost over and the oxygen is gone in an instant! If your driving down the freeway you can imagine. You can also hook your compressor into a small storage tank.

Sounds like you had a faulty relief valve
You can't run air tools off of a compressor Also, nothing can really break on a tank. You have tank, and a valve. Thats about it. Valves are <10 bucks, my shop replaced mine for free. You can also do tank swaps, actually cheaper than filling your own. Turns out, my shop doesnt have tanks with indy4x stickers on them, so no go for me

[Grif]

To the OP, IMHO those combination devices are toys.

It might get you through in a pinch once or mebbe twice, but they are not serious equipment. At that size, you might make it work a couple of its functions a couple of times, but I wouldn't expect it to last over a year, the internal battery will die, and then its dead as both a compressor and a jumper.

Sadly, IMHO devices that promise multiple uses with an incredibly small footprint do not do any of its functions well, nor for a reliable length of time.

[crotchrocket]

You want one of these

[BigSwede]

Or skip the superslow limited compressor and get a small CO2 bottle. I have a mid size 20lb bottle. I can fill up dozens of 33" tires, and it takes less than 30 sec/tire for me to go from 15lbs to 40lbs in each of my tires. An air compressor would take several minutes to do each one, and would far exceed the duty cycle, unless its a really nice air compressor. I did several folks at Moab in 09. With a spring style hose, I can keep the bottle in the VX, and fill up my tow rig and trailer as well! There are smaller bottles available, and CO2 is pretty cheap. I used to pay 8 dollars for a 20lb fill up. You can get a 10lb or smaller paintball style bottle, get the right adapter and voila. Volumes of "air" for much cheaper. No worries about heat. My relief has never lifted and it sits in my truck 24/7. Just a thought for you. I would also recommend the Titan exhaust jack.

That's a 25 pound bottle? It doesn't seem nearly large enough. I just got a 10 pound bottle and it is almost that big (I am (slowly) assembling parts for a CO2 system).