Handheld tire inflators

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Commuter69, Nov 18, 2022.

  1. Commuter69

    Commuter69 Road Train Member

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    Does anyone keep a handheld inflator in their toolkit for when what's at the fuel lane just won't easily reach where you need it to, if there's one at all?

    Any recommendations with links?
     
  2. GYPSY65

    GYPSY65 Road Train Member

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  3. Commuter69

    Commuter69 Road Train Member

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    I'm thinking something like this:?

    AstroAI Cordless Tire Inflator Air Compressor 20V Rechargeable Battery Powered 160PSI Portable Handheld Air Pump with 12V Car Power Adapter Digital Pressure Gauge for Cars Motorcycles ACJY21LIDCYE https://a.co/d/2xMhNiq
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  4. GYPSY65

    GYPSY65 Road Train Member

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    No idea about that and it’s $120 unless you want it for other purposes?
    If not
    I’d just get the hose
     
  5. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Either the battery will die or it will overheat before you top off a low truck tire. I have one that does about 1psi a minute on car tires. You’re probably looking at 1psi every 7-10 minutes for a truck tire.
     
  6. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    Those cheap portable ones don’t mention the cfm of the compressor.
    Most are well under 1 cfm at 30 psi for a car.
    The average truck air compressor on the engine puts out 14 cfm at 90 psi or more.
    The tire shops use air compressors in excess of 22 cfm at 175 psi and it still takes them several minutes to air up a tire.
    I would imagine a cheap portable one would take over 6 hours to fill just one truck tire that was empty.
     
  7. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Use your fuel points and buy one of them hoses from the truckstop. They used to be $30.

    Never saw a fuel island hose that couldn't be reached. Even if the vehicle had to be moved.

    With your own hose. You got air wherever you need it. Cuz there's nothing in the middle of nowhere.
     
  8. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    My Ryobi handheld inflator is rated at 120psi.

    I filled up my camper from 35 to 45 psi. Took about 10 minutes for one tire, and after two tires it was so hot I didn't trust using it until it cooled down for fear of melting something inside.

    Can't imagine how long it would take to go from 90psi to 100psi, if it even can.
     
  9. Magoo1968

    Magoo1968 Road Train Member

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    I’d use my own gladhand hose before I’d use truck stop air hose . I’m more confident my air dryer is removing moisture and I’m not adding water from a poorly maintained air compressor that probably doesn’t have any provision to remove water.
     
  10. RockinChair

    RockinChair Road Train Member

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    Half the time the fuel island air hose is jacked up anyway.

    If you don't want to buy a gladhand air hose then have the shop install a quick connect fitting on one of your air tanks so that you can connect the hose there and then connect an air chuck to the hose.