12 Volt Air Compressors

Recreation, usually involves blowing air. 12 volt air compressors are your best friend when faced with some of the daunting tasks attached to recreational activities. Things like, off- roading with your 4x4 vehicle; inflating multiple beach floatation devices, mountain biking, camping, emergency tire repair on your vehicle, birthday party balloons are the many things that one can use a 12 volt air compressor for.

The variations and availability of these devices have become such that now 12 volt air compressors come in many forms and prices. You can purchase a 12 volt air compressor for $10 or up to more than $500. The variations in price obviously have to do with many things like, psi output, features, and types of compressor motors on the pump.

If you are purchasing a 12 volt air compressor for the sole purpose of inflating the odd beach float and maybe a bike tire and you are not in a hurry to do so. A $10 to $20 12 volt air compressor is the appropriate purchase.

Some of the more expensive models are geared towards hobbyists like off road enthusiasts, whom are constantly adjusting their tire pressures to enjoy mountain crawling and trail riding. These 12 volt air compressors are a little more powerful as they are geared to inflate large 4x4 tires in minutes, or run impact guns to remove tire lugs, and offer many accessories geared toward those engaged in that hobby. A couple of great models in this category of 12 volt air compressor are the Currie compressor and the Trail Head compressor. The Currie is specified to be military grade and offers a 100% duty cycle. This 12 volt compressor when coupled with a 2 gallon air tank is even capable of moderate tool use. It retails for about $490. The Trail Head compressor is a super fast compressor. Able to fill a 2 gallon tank in 15 seconds, this 40 lb. Unit can run air tools continuously and retails for about $600.

Pros and Cons

Here are a few pros and cons of a 12 volt compressor: