[PHK1]

Can anyone suggest a good quality 12v portable air compressor for use on Track Days and general purpose use. Thanks

[5inn]

I've had a couple cheap plug-in ones. All broke in various ways over time. Friends recommended Viair. I've had this Viair for going on 3 years and it still works great:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ASY23I/

As you can see it clips onto the battery posts (terminals under camaro hood work fine) but this way there is no worry of blowing the 12v fuse. Cables and hose are both long. My only complaint is that the bottom does get a little hot after using but I think that's to be expected.

[cdrptrks]

The blue plastic oem one from the trunk has worked fine for me so far and it doesn't burn me like my viair if I accidentally touch it in the wrong spot and it doesn't blow the 12v socket fuse. Also the male pin on my viair 12v plug fell out and got lost at one point so I replaced it with a drill bit and leave the battery adapter with terminal clamps attached permanently.

[RWT]

I too recommend the VIAIR 88P. It connects to the battery because the amp draw is right at the limit for most power ports (20 amp). It's popular among the off road community because it works on tires up to 33" and fills tires quickly. I keep mine in my truck but I use on all my vehicles.

JMHO
No expertise implied or expressed

[MatthewAMEL]

Any issues using the underhood terminals for power?

[JD_]

Originally Posted by 5inn

I've had a couple cheap plug-in ones. All broke in various ways over time. Friends recommended Viair. I've had this Viair for going on 3 years and it still works great:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ASY23I/

As you can see it clips onto the battery posts (terminals under camaro hood work fine) but this way there is no worry of blowing the 12v fuse. Cables and hose are both long. My only complaint is that the bottom does get a little hot after using but I think that's to be expected.

Originally Posted by MatthewAMEL

Any issues using the underhood terminals for power?

+1 on this compressor. I bought mine about 3 yrs ago and have used it for track days, autocross, my 4x4, lawnmower... well anything that needs air. Never had a problem with it. Big plus over the little one that comes with the car is the ignition does not have to be on and it works faster.

@MatthewAMEL, no issues at all.

JD

[Baker]

I have been using a Milwaukee cordless compressor and I have zero complaints has worked very well and it shares a battery with my impact

[Nothing like an SS]

The factory pump in the trunk of my Camaro works fine, but for years I have been using Ryobi cordless hand held, we have 3 of them, one in each of our other cars. Looks almost like a cordless drill, uses the same battery packs as our other stuff. Simple, convenient, can inflate surprisingly quick too!!!! Best portable pump I have ever used.

This guy:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18...737D/307627867

[5inn]

Originally Posted by Baker

I have been using a Milwaukee cordless compressor and I have zero complaints has worked very well and it shares a battery with my impact

My co-driver had one of these. First I had seen it and was impressed. Liked how you can set a target pressure and just leave it. He said it was a bit power hungry and didn't work as well on tires that required more pressure (trailer). If my Viair ever dies, I may go this route.

[cmfhsu]

I use this Harbor Freight model. Super fast & seems to be well rated, though I haven't run it for long enough to tell you how well it'll last.

It keeps going, even in 95F+ heat - the casing was too hot to touch, but it just kept going.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-15...sor-63184.html

[foshjowler]

Originally Posted by Nothing like an SS

The factory pump in the trunk of my Camaro works fine, but for years I have been using Ryobi cordless hand held, we have 3 of them, one in each of our other cars. Looks almost like a cordless drill, uses the same battery packs as our other stuff. Simple, convenient, can inflate surprisingly quick too!!!! Best portable pump I have ever used.

This guy:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18...737D/307627867

I've been using the Ryobi for a couple of years now with success. I throw it in my bag with the impact, and it uses the same battery. I've got a couple of the 4mah batteries, but even the smaller ones have enough juice to inflate all 4 tires multiple times.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by 5inn

I've had a couple cheap plug-in ones. All broke in various ways over time. Friends recommended Viair. I've had this Viair for going on 3 years and it still works great:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ASY23I/

As you can see it clips onto the battery posts (terminals under camaro hood work fine) but this way there is no worry of blowing the 12v fuse. Cables and hose are both long. My only complaint is that the bottom does get a little hot after using but I think that's to be expected.

I have this Viar, too. I love how quiet and fast it pumps air. It's been treated poorly, used in harsh conditions, put away wet and almost never had a problem. The fuse came unseated a couple times, but it only needs to be reseated.

What I don't like about it was the long hose and how much dealing with that added extra time. Coiling, uncoiling, untangling, keeping free from getting caught on stuff, etc. Made us feel extra rushed in grid between drivers and took us *that* much longer to be packed and get off the site at the end of the day.

My codriver bought a Milwaukee M12 inflator. We used it once. I bought one for myself and haven't looked back.



https://www.toolnut.com/milwaukee-24...tool-only.html

Turn it on, fix it to the tire valve, set the pressure you want, start it and walk away. It's louder and slower, but so, so, so much more convenient. And since we have two, we can tires twice as fast in grid.

Not too expensive and frequently on sale. If you're already in the Milwaukee M12 battery system, you don't need any new batteries either.

[kropscamaro16]

i have a lil cheapy one i got from amazon that i keep in my trunk used it a few times so far not bad for $45

[PHK1]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Purchased a VIAIR 88p from Tire Rack. Good price
plus free shipping.