General Which Tyre Inflator?
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General Which Tyre Inflator?
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Makita 18v for mine.
I already had the batteries so it was cheaper. If you have batteries for a drill etc, I would go with that. Managed to get the Makita for £40 on special offer.
The above always gets good reviews on the Motorhome forums if you don’t have a battery already.
I already had the batteries so it was cheaper. If you have batteries for a drill etc, I would go with that. Managed to get the Makita for £40 on special offer.
The above always gets good reviews on the Motorhome forums if you don’t have a battery already.
Thanks
Thanks
I've had a number of tyre inflators over the years, all the type with a cable which plugs into the cigar lighter socket, and all have worked quite well but I'd say none were of sufficiently robust construction to be suitable for more than occasional use topping up and are not up to repeatedly inflating flat tyres. I've dismantled a number of them after they've failed and they are all pretty similar - a smallish 12 volt motor driving a simple piston type compressor via some nylon type gearing. Lubrication is paid lip service with a with a wee bit of grease applied on assembly which, by the time I strip them down, has mostly been thrown off onto the inside of the casing.
I've been very pleased with my new RING "smart" battery charger and surprised by the quality of it - I bought it to replace a ctek which I'd had for many years which suddenly decided to expire.
Ok, we're not talking battery chargers here but I was surprised by my perception of it's quality. I think Ring have considerably upped their game recently? So I've been looking through their catalogue https://www.ringautomotive.com/en/tyre-inflators and the last two listed - RAC 820 and RAC 900 - look particularly interesting? Not particularly cheap but maybe that's what quality costs?
I've been very pleased with my new RING "smart" battery charger and surprised by the quality of it - I bought it to replace a ctek which I'd had for many years which suddenly decided to expire.
Ok, we're not talking battery chargers here but I was surprised by my perception of it's quality. I think Ring have considerably upped their game recently? So I've been looking through their catalogue https://www.ringautomotive.com/en/tyre-inflators and the last two listed - RAC 820 and RAC 900 - look particularly interesting? Not particularly cheap but maybe that's what quality costs?
I’ve been looking at the 820 too. Thanks for the info.
I was just browsing and came across this: https://shop.ringautomotive.com/rac...9b-uyc_MQQplnR_B9KvVOgm8juBA6q5xoCE4QQAvD_BwE
Looks like pretty much the same thing but without any of the electronics - so a good thing in my book - If the "guts" are pretty much the same as the 820 that would make it a great bargain? I may drop them a line and ask. If I get a meaningful result I'll come back on here.
Cheers!
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Ring RAC900. It has a long electric lead with crocodile clamps (it's too power hungry to use the lighter type sockets) that I connect to the jump start points under the bonnet, plus a long airline, and will reach all the tyres on the van with ease. I carry it in the van, although at home I have a compressor and airline.
Got a reply from Ring already, copied here: - Hi, it depends on the tyre pressures of the van. The RAC710 and RAC820/830 can measure up to 100psi but only pump up to 80psi. If the van tyres need close to 80psi, then I would recommend RAC900, which can pump up to 100psi.
Must say how impressed I am with Ring's customer support. They were just as quick getting back to me when I was asking about the battery charger.
First questions is how it's going to be used and by who and to what psi
Mains, battery, rechargable
There three types of compressor to valve connections screw, push or the more common trigger, the screw type are much easier to use, in my opinion
Pressure gauges are often wildly out, just had someone that couldn't get the tyre pressure warning to go out, both his and the garage pressure gauges were reading way to high
An occasional top up of a few PSI isn't the same as off roading and regularly full inflation
At home, with garage space, carrying in the car
Most car boots have the kit compressor that comes with run flat tyres repair kits, for a couple of quid, be march now before the fields dry
Speed of inflation varies greatly
Mains, battery, rechargable
There three types of compressor to valve connections screw, push or the more common trigger, the screw type are much easier to use, in my opinion
Pressure gauges are often wildly out, just had someone that couldn't get the tyre pressure warning to go out, both his and the garage pressure gauges were reading way to high
An occasional top up of a few PSI isn't the same as off roading and regularly full inflation
At home, with garage space, carrying in the car
Most car boots have the kit compressor that comes with run flat tyres repair kits, for a couple of quid, be march now before the fields dry
Speed of inflation varies greatly
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Very useful. Thanks
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I have to agree. I contacted them about a heavy duty battery charger that I bought to use as a battery support when using diagnostics equipment. I was after some technical information, and I got a reply saying that it had been forwarded to a specific department involved in the design of the unit, who rang me and walked through all the details I was after over the phone.
I’ve gone for the Ring 820 plug in 12v, built for any big Tyre; Caravans, SUVs and if you watch on YouTube Campervans etc. Went for a plug in as I don’t trust myself to keep a charged battery for Makita etc.
Thanks for all the inputs.
Thanks for all the inputs.
Excellent choice sir! I'm not a great fan of battery equipment myself, especially the sort of stuff you might need in an emergency - apart from having to remember to keep them charged the batteries tend to have variable lifetimes too.
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The only issue I see is that if you're intending to power it from the power sockets in the van, unless you have a rear socket as well as those in the cab, with a 3.7 metre power cable length, and around 1 metre of that taken up reaching the dash sockets through the cab door, you may have trouble reaching the rear tyres (will, if it's a 6 metre or longer van with the 4.035 metre wheelbase). If you're going to use it from a portable power pack of course, that's not an issue.
The RAC900 has a 2.4 metre power cable plus a 7 metre airline, so there's no access issues at all. Plus inflates a tyre up to 35 psi in 90 seconds, as opposed to the quoted 5 minutes for the 820 with a 15-inch wheel.
The RAC900 has a 2.4 metre power cable plus a 7 metre airline, so there's no access issues at all. Plus inflates a tyre up to 35 psi in 90 seconds, as opposed to the quoted 5 minutes for the 820 with a 15-inch wheel.
I’ve got a 5M 12v extension lead from an earlier inflator and a rear outlet, so I should be ok. Thanks for noting that though.
