What tyre inflator?

GeoffL

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My motorhome tyres need pumping up to 5.5 bar (80 psi), an operation that has already destroyed an old Halfords pump and one rated at 150 psi that I bought from Amazon (clicky link). I have a bicycle track pump that does the job (albeit involving way too much exercise) and so I'm looking for a new inflator. It's difficult to get at the terminals on either the cranking or leisure batteries, and so I'm looking for one that plugs into a 12V cigarette lighter socket. Any recommendations for an inflator that can top up all four tyres without self-destructing? Thanks for looking.
 
I did some research into this quite recently and I came to the same conclusion regrading the ciggy lighter.

I went for the Ring RAC900 in the end which also has to be croc clipped on...

...although someone in the know may be able to suggest a hard wired work around with it?

I have a plug hard wired into my car so that I can plug my battery conditioner in when its off the road for 2 months each winter when we are in Spain. Perhaps a similar set up could be used for the use of a tyre pump?
 
I'm hoping never to have to use it :LOL:
 
Do you not have 12v outlets in your living quarters? I have fitted a couple with heavy fuses just for this sort of thing.
 
Many thanks to all for the responses.

Some pumps overheat and burn out , they should only be run for a few minutes then left to cool
This is the problem. Mine burned out on the second tyre even though I left it for five minutes or so to cool after doing the first. The one I bought is rated at 150 psi. However, I suspect such performance exists only in the imagination of the vendor!

Do you not have 12v outlets in your living quarters? I have fitted a couple with heavy fuses just for this sort of thing.
Nope -- not the regular 2-pin variety. I have a double cigar socket in the rear lounge. In any case, my van is 7m long and getting to all four wheels from a single socket in the rear lounge would need a lengthy, heavy duty extension cable!

I have a jump start pack that I use for remote 12v power with the motorhome. This has two cigar sockets that are rated 10A. At a push, I could use battery croc clips on the croc clips of the jump starter -- but I'd prefer something powered from a cigar socket as that gives me options if the jump starter isn't available.

FWIW, I spotted both the Ring RAC830 and a Tirewell inflator on Amazon, but I now suspect they might not be up to the task.
 
Do you not have 12v outlets in your living quarters? I have fitted a couple with heavy fuses just for this sort of thing.

Cigar lighter outlets really aren't suitable for anything that pulls a decent amount of power (especially for more than a few seconds)

I've seen plenty of sockets/plugs melt well before the fuse lets go...

Not great
 
80 psi seems very high to me. My 3.5 tonne camper’s tyres run at 35psi on the front and 45psi on the rear.
Have you had it on a weigh bridge to determine those pressures?

 
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80 psi seems very high to me. My 3.5 tonne camper’s tyres run at 35psi on the front and 45psi on the rear.
Have you had it on a weigh bridge to determine those pressures?

I got the pressure recommendation from the vehicle handbook. 5.5 bar (80 psi) all round, which is confirmed by the sticker on the door pillar.
 
I got the pressure recommendation from the vehicle handbook. 5.5 bar (80 psi) all round, which is confirmed by the sticker on the door pillar.
I would get your MoHo on a weigh bridge to determine axle weights when loaded, as we did. Our MoHo is fitted with Michelin tyres, I emailed Michelin with tyre sizes and axle weights and they sent me the pressures required.

Incorrect tyre pressures could have repercussions in the event of an accident.

The sticker on the door pillar was probably put there by the chassis manufacturer, not the converter.
 
I think the sticker on mine states 50 front and 60 rear. That is for a vehicle running with maximum permitted axle weights, which as mine, I doubt yours are. I suggest you get both axles weighed fully loaded and adjust the pressures to suit.
This subject has been covered extensively on the sister site.
I ran mine for years at the maximum pressure and now it’s a much more comfortable ride, handles and grips better with less wheel spin on wet starts.
I emailed the tyre manufacturer (Continental) with the weigh bridge results and they confirmed the lower pressures.
Plus no more burnt out tyre inflators. :)
 
My Ducato Maxi is 65 front, 72 rear

A "heavy duty" pump I bought on Amazon lasted maybe a year before the heat caused the tube to degrade.

In a pinch, I once borrowed an analogue Halfords pump which could top up the tyres.

I have had a tacklife branded pump the last couple of years that works really well but has a fiddly screw valve. My van's built in 12v sockets are strong. I've used my pump to rescue other vehicles, so for me portable wins.
 
I would get your MoHo on a weigh bridge to determine axle weights when loaded, as we did. Our MoHo is fitted with Michelin tyres, I emailed Michelin with tyre sizes and axle weights and they sent me the pressures required.

Incorrect tyre pressures could have repercussions in the event of an accident.

The sticker on the door pillar was probably put there by the chassis manufacturer, not the converter.
One caveat to that is if the tyres are of the CP type. These are designed to be run at 80psi on the rears. One example would be Michelin Agilis which I have on my vehicle. Just worth mentioning.
 
One caveat to that is if the tyres are of the CP type. These are designed to be run at 80psi on the rears. One example would be Michelin Agilis which I have on my vehicle. Just worth mentioning.
Designed to run at 80psi? How can the tyres tell they're at the rear?
80psi is too high a pressure for almost all motorhomes
The sticker on the door or the owners handbook don't know the exact load of the vehicle (they're all different) or how much stuff you loaded.
Unless you weigh the axles and calculate the correct pressure, you will be using the wrong pressure.
I have never found a motorhome that should have its tyres at 80psi, but to answer the original question, I'd buy a Ring pump.
The Ring 900 draws 20A so can't run from a lighter socket, but it inflates tyres well and it has a little Ng cable and a long curly air hose which will reach all the wheels.
The Ring 1000 is less powerful, running at 15A, so it uses a lighter socket and it has an automatic cutoff when it reaches pressure. It is very neat and stores well. However for a motorhome the wire and pipe length is probably too short. Ideal for a car or a campervan.
Both are capable of inflating to 100psi. The 900 can go a bit higher, but the gauge doesn't.
 
One caveat to that is if the tyres are of the CP type. These are designed to be run at 80psi on the rears. One example would be Michelin Agilis which I have on my vehicle. Just worth mentioning.
Ours are the Agilis, Michelin recommend 80psi for the rear, 65psi for the front. I have that in the email from them with the axel weights from the weigh bridge ticket.
 

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