Air Pumps

[Cyker]

I'm thinking of getting rid of my footpump and getting one of those electric ones that can act as starter batteries or run off the 12v.

Most of my mates don't like them as they're apparently very noisy and unreliable (One of them had a Michelin one but apparently it broke after 3 uses!) so I was hoping so of you might have some recommendations!

[Jamesbelfast]

Do a google search for tyre inflator reviews.

Here's one to get you started.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/what-car-test-tyre-inflators/231565

[mrpj]

As you mentioned a starter Battery too, I have a Ring Powerpack 135. Having just done a search they appear to be a bit pricey but the versions with less add ons are cheaper. Mine has an inverter, 12v socket,fluorescent lamp and an air compressor in addition to the starting Battery. I bought it through eBay, around £70 delivered, over a year ago.

I don't use the compressor that often because I find it much quicker and convenient to use a foot pump! It is fairly slow, not pumping great volumes of air, but does the job quite well. The pressure gauge is not that accurate either, a separate gauge is desirable. It's handy not to have the need to plug into a 12v car socket to operate the compressor which rune off the starter Battery. I've used the battery pack on my Father-in-Laws car a couple of times after he's left his lights on and it does work well.

I did have one of those cheap, £30 or less starter packs and the battery packed up after a few months - wouldn't hold it's charge etc..

[Adam C]

I use the Halfords Rapid Digital Tyre Inflator. Doesn't have the option of jump-starting a dead Battery though but you set it to your desired pressure and it automatically stops right there. I'm on my second variant now, first one only needed replacing due to over-use (I used to check my tyre pressures twice a week or if the temperature dipped - used to work night shift at a well-known suparmarket chain - and also used it on colleagues' cars too), just wear & tear more than anything as it stopped gripping the valves properly. Barring that it was solidly reliable (just like our cars!).

The current version has built-in torch LEDs, optional valve attachments (even one for footballs) and the screen is backlit in blue. And it can pump up a flat tyre in 3 1/2 minutes. One drawback though, you have to set it 1psi higher than desired to get the right amount and they're sensitive to engine vibration, especially with 3 cylinder engines which would trigger the desired pressure but then the gauge resets to being below that. If you don't really need to put much air in (which I don't), you may not have to run the engine.

Sorry for the essay!

[Cyker]

Thanks for the info guys

After reading around, I must admit I've gone off the idea of a powered inflater a bit; So many horror stories of them being stored in the car for ages with only occasional top-up use, and then when they're needed in an emergency they break! :(

And you're right about the ones with decent Battery packs being quite expensive!

Maybe I'll just stick with my footpump for now... (I've had it since my first car! :))

[mrpj]

I did buy the Ring unit really only for the Battery pack facility, the compressor was just an added "bonus".

For the amount of air that well sealed tyres and valves lose, or should lose, I find the footpump is more than enough. Only requiring a top up of a couple of psi or less once a month or more. Sometimes less depending on the ambient temperature when they were last checked/topped up!