12v Tyre inflator - recommendations sought

FredFlintstone

FredFlintstone

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165
Location
West Midlands
Vehicle
T5 SE 180
Hi Folks,

Looking for recommendations for a tyre inflator (12v) that comes in a bag, or easily stored & compact (good for stowage in the Cali).

I'd like one that you can program & turns off at the preset pressure.

Keen for your thoughts.

Thanks
 
I have an Airman for the motorbike....nice a small but no preset
 
I would go for a cordless model no fussing with cable plug.
 
I use the Makita cordless inflator at home for the Cali and all the bikes and keep a genuine Volkswagen 12v inflator in the Cali for emergency use. Doesn’t have preset but cables and hose store neatly and it’s flat enough to just fit under the driver seat. Loads on eBay - got mine for £15. The Ring 450 does look better though.
 
We have (had) an old Ring one - cables wound around the underside neatly, and you can preset the pressure so it stops automatically. All came in a neat bag that fitted in the back cupboard above the gas bottle housing. I say had because its decided to pack up on me - think the compressor pump has had it as it makes an awful noise and doesn't inflate.... so I too am on the look out for a neat replacement. Will take a look at the new Ring one.
 
+1 for ring, not the cheapest, but it does what it says and in the time quoted .

I have one of these , use it an all family cars, I would buy another if it was to pack up. (That'll , be the kiss of Death! )

Probably find it cheaper through suppliers rather than direct

Edit £40 via Ring Amazon shop (Feb2025)

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I bought Bosch Easy pumps for my daughter and wife’s cars, but a YaberAuto air compressor and jump starter for the GC.

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I have used the Bosh one above, it's a good product, (used on a race car)

My only concern is that it has an internal battery that may not be charged when you need it (it requires plugging in to USB to charge prior to use / to keep the battery operational), rather than plug and play 12v as in the cabled ring (no internal battery)

I can confirm The Bosch is good.
 
+1 for ring, not the cheapest, but it does what it says and in the time quoted .

I have one of these , use it an all family cars, I would buy another if it was to pack up. (That'll , be the kiss of Death! )

Probably find it cheaper through suppliers rather than direct

Edit £40 via Ring Amazon shop (Feb2025)

View attachment 132268
Was just looking at this one - like the idea of the dial to set the pressure. Always found the old one a bit fiddly pressing and holding the set button, then pressing the + or - to get desired pressure and then pressing set again. Wife hated it.
 
Very simple to operate,
quality brass screw on valve connector,
pressure release valve large next to the brass connector
Digital read out,
rotating knob to set pressures,
auto cut out when set pressure is achieved,
12v cable wind into the body, long enough to go from dash 12v to rear wheels or rear to front of a Transporter.
hose folds into the body ,
Light / torch in the body for roadside night use, comes in a padded case.
It has stood up to the odd accidental drop.
 
Very simple to operate,
quality brass screw on valve connector,
pressure release valve large next to the brass connector
Digital read out,
rotating knob to set pressures,
auto cut out when set pressure is achieved,
12v cable wind into the body, long enough to go from dash 12v to rear wheels or rear to front of a Transporter.
hose folds into the body ,
Light / torch in the body for roadside night use, comes in a padded case.
It has stood up to the odd accidental drop.
ORDERED - £38.99 on Amazon with delivery tomorrow. :D
 
ORDERED - £38.99 on Amazon with delivery tomorrow. :D
After reading this thread, I have just purchased the Makita cordless model recommended above. Haven't used it yet but happy to compare reviews when you have used yours
 
After reading this thread, I have just purchased the Makita cordless model recommended above. Haven't used it yet but happy to compare reviews when you have used yours
Initially I thought cordless wouldn't be man enough, but I guess as long as its got a 12v, or even better 18v battery it should be fine - those compressors can run through a battery quickly.
I've not read what they are capable of in terms of inflation time but would assume they could do at least two tyres.
I must be honest, I was tempted by a cordless one - as long as it had a lead back up as knowing my luck it would be dead when I want it.

Amazon sent the wrong Ring one so I should get it Monday - will post back once I've tried it.
 
I have had a Makita drill+driver set for a few years and so already have 2× 18v 3Ah batteries and charging station. This meant that, for me, a bare tyre inflator unit at £63 was little more than a good quality wired one. I intend to leave it in my garage, as I usually check/adjust my tyre pressures on the drive before washing the vehicle. I will leave the wired units in the vehicles in case of a roadside emergency but hope that I will not need them . Speaking of which, I have found that the VW factory unit, which comes with the emergency inflator kit, to be quite good and compact. In comparison the Challenge Xtreme inflator, which I bought last year for the car, is very slow and noisy. The 12v plug was flimsy and broke a couple of weeks ago. I have replaced the plug with a much sturdier one. The Makita cordless is quick, quieter and easier to use. Perhaps a little too quick, if you just want to adjust the pressure by a pound or two. The digital gauge seems accurate as it reads the same as my manual gauge.
 
I'm based in Australia and have an "AEG 18V/12V Hybrid High Pressure And Volume Inflator / Deflator" available at Bunnings Hardware. You can run it either off a 18v rechargeable battery or via a 12v Anderson plug connector for running from your van without a battery. Easily handles the high pressures required by our t6.1 Cali. I also sometimes taken a cordless AEG drill for winding in and out tent peg screws which uses the same battery (but does not have an Anderson plug input which means it needs a portable battery charger). Most times I just take the hybrid high pressure gizmo and Anderson cord only without bothering about taking the battery, recharger or drill. Highly recommend it as it has a digital readout, auto pressure cutoff and even a built in torch. Not sure if AEG is available in all countries though...
 
Hi Folks,

Looking for recommendations for a tyre inflator (12v) that comes in a bag, or easily stored & compact (good for stowage in the Cali).

I'd like one that you can program & turns off at the preset pressure.

Keen for your thoughts.

Thanks
I have an older version of the Ring inflator which is good but like the newer one it has a screw on connector which annoyingly lets the air pressure escape as you're unscrewing it-so i bought this adaptor & extension which works very well.
 
I have an older version of the Ring inflator which is good but like the newer one it has a screw on connector which annoyingly lets the air pressure escape as you're unscrewing it-so i bought this adaptor & extension which works very well.
Just checked & the exact item is currently unavailable but you can still buy another make on amazon. The clip is the main thing but the extension means it will reach the full height of the tyre.
 

VW California Club

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