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[Enceladus]

Any recommendations for a 12V portable tyre inflator. Want one to keep in the car to pump the tyres. And also high pressure bicycle tyres? Powered by the cigar lighter or clips on the battery. Occasionally use but reliable.

Had one of the first Lidl compressors. Was slow but great. Lasted well over 12 years. Went to 10bar. The current models can't even top up all 4 corners before the switch melts. So I want something that works that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks

[Kevin Wood]

Modern ones seem to be made so cheaply that they are not fit for purpose.

I got bored of buying foot pumps recently, so got myself an old Dunlop Major from a  vintage shop and refurbished it. Will knock the socks off anything from a motor factors these days.

Also worth checking out a local scrapyard to see if he has any OEM inflators out of old cars, as some of those are quite nice quality.

[Nick W]

Look for the OE tyre inflators from cars with no spare wheel. They're all very similar; about 125mm square and blue plastic. They'll quicky inflate a flat tyre, or top up all four with no problems. They're quiet too.

[STEMO]

Look for the OE tyre inflators from cars with no spare wheel. They're all very similar; about 125mm square and blue plastic. They'll quicky inflate a flat tyre, or top up all four with no problems. They're quiet too.

^^^^^^^^ He's right, you know 

[Nick W]

Square box on the right is what Hyundai/Kia supply; Ford/Vauxhall/Honda have the gauge on the box, rather than the hose like this, but they're basically the same.


The thing on the right is occasionally sold by Aldi; it's a 12v cordless inflator, that also comes with an adapter to plug into the cigarette lighter. Not that it's necessary, as the battery is enough to inflate four 14" tyres from flat. It's about £30 when available.