Tire Inflator?

Les White

Les White

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My 12v tire inflator crapped out while I was in need. It seems a lot of them die while in the trunk of a car because of seals or cooked components. A foot pump would likely suffer the same seal failure.

I like the idea of the CO2 inflators but they're just too small for a car tire. I think on a 32" tire you'll get about 2psi per 12g cartridge, which isn't practical. The math suggests 90g cartridge would get you about 16psi, still not practical.

Which got me thinking about ways to store compressed air for emergency tire inflation that didn't require a big dedicated tank. Like a modified fire extinguisher?

Anybody done anything like this?

What about using something like a $6 can of R134a and a modified valve/hose? It's already pressure in a can and the valves/hoses are readily available.

Curious what you smart fellas come up with. Keep in mind, this is stranded on the side of the road and just plugged a flat use.
 
Les White said:
My 12v tire inflator crapped out while I was in need. It seems a lot of them die while in the trunk of a car because of seals or cooked components. A foot pump would likely suffer the same seal failure.

I like the idea of the CO2 inflators but they're just too small for a car tire. I think on a 32" tire you'll get about 2psi per 12g cartridge, which isn't practical. The math suggests 90g cartridge would get you about 16psi, still not practical.

Which got me thinking about ways to store compressed air for emergency tire inflation that didn't require a big dedicated tank. Like a modified fire extinguisher?

Anybody done anything like this?

What about using something like a $6 can of R134a and a modified valve/hose? It's already pressure in a can and the valves/hoses are readily available.

Curious what you smart fellas come up with. Keep in mind, this is stranded on the side of the road and just plugged a flat use.
Click to expand...
10 cft nitrogen tank


10 cft of "air" at 2200 to 2400 psi
 
Red Marley said:
How about in your spare tire?
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A lot of newer cars don’t come with a spare. Depending on what type of vehicle you drive you may have different options. My cousin built a rear bumper for his 4Runner that would hold air. I have also saw jump packs that have an inflator in them, but I’m sure over time heat may kill them as well.
 
I'm still curious about the r134a. I've got an old crap tire I'll try it on.
 
Scsmith42 said:
A can of Fix-a-flat. Available from any auto parts store.
or a small nitrogen cylinder.
the former is a lot cheaper though.
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Just don't leave a can of Fix-A-Flat in the back of a Geo Storm hatchback where it can be exposed to direct sunlight, unless you want to spend several hours scrubbing rubber cement off the interior with a towel. Not to mention replacing two interior panels that were broken in the explosion.
 
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Pack72 said:
Just don't leave a can of Fix-A-Flat in the back of a Geo Storm hatchback where it can be exposed to direct sunlight, unless you want to spend several hours scrubbing rubber cement off the interior with a towel. Not to mention replacing two interior panels that were broken in the explosion.
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good point….
 
GM shipped third gen Camaros with a flat spare and a can CO2? that was just a little bigger than a 20oz soda and screwed onto the valve stem. I have an empty one, was still good after 30yrs in the trunk, haven't checked to see if you can still get them or fill them.

Have a Slime brand 12v compressor made it 10+yrs running strong before the hose disintegrated.
 
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Black cylinder on the top right is the pressure gauge. Mine is off by about 4 pounds but I check it with a stick gauge anyway. Uses the same batteries my portable vacuum and drill do. Get it on sale at Home Depot sometimes it's cheaper than the actual standalone battery it comes with...
 
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Mike79 said:
Arb makes onboard air compressors suited for under hood mounting. I use this unit for my wife's Jeep with a up down air kit.

www.extremeterrain.com

Mean Mother Jeep Wrangler Air Compressor; 160L/MIN MM-ACA4 - Free Shipping

FREE SHIPPING! On-Board Air. Your Wrangler may need compressed air on tap for any number of reasons. Whether recovering from aired down driving, fixing a flat o
www.extremeterrain.com www.extremeterrain.com

Home | UpDownAir

updownair.com updownair.com
Click to expand...
And similar to this, how about a junkyard oem compressor off of a vehicle that has air suspension?
 
Mike79 said:
Arb makes onboard air compressors suited for under hood mounting. I use this unit for my wife's Jeep with a up down air kit.

www.extremeterrain.com

Mean Mother Jeep Wrangler Air Compressor; 160L/MIN MM-ACA4 - Free Shipping

FREE SHIPPING! On-Board Air. Your Wrangler may need compressed air on tap for any number of reasons. Whether recovering from aired down driving, fixing a flat o
www.extremeterrain.com www.extremeterrain.com

Home | UpDownAir

updownair.com updownair.com
Click to expand...
A friend has that compressor and it works well. I have one of the older Viair 300P’s and it has been great also.
 
Most simple method i saw a while back for emergency use to get you off road or to a tire store was about a 20ft hose just enough to reach both ends with with a clip on air chuck on one end and a regular air chuck on the other. No moving parts to fail or leak down. Just take clip on chuck and put it on one of your inflated tires and use it to partially inflate the one thats flat and keep moving to diffrent tires around the car. Since you have 3 others with prob 30-40psi for supply. Or better yet if person beside you parked to close in the parking lot just take there air 😁
 
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