My 12v tyre pump packed in last night. I've got a spare tyre but I still like to have a pump in the car.

 

Quick check this morning and they seem to be universally crap irrespective of price.

 

Any suggestions, ideal if the pump hose was reasonably long so it can sit on the ground wherever the valve is.

 

TIA

We have one of these that has been going for a few years  

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002Q560WE  Ring Automotive RAC630 Digital

 

though we didn't pay £26 for it.  I strongly suspect that this

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0030FBSQ2  Ring Automotive RAC610 12 V Analogue 

 

has the same compressor if you can live without the preset / digital function, for £10.

 

The connector screws on to the valve which is good, the tube is long enough and so is the cable.

 

I think the key to making these last is ideally not to use them!  Or at least not to overheat them.  If I'm at home I use a proper compressor, but the boss uses the electric one occasionally.

I use an olde-fashioned foot pump and a BS pressure guage rather than one of these slow electrickery noise makers.

I am a lazy beggar and have 2 cars, 4 bikes and a trailer to inflate. 18 tyres is too many for my little legs

I'd agree that a footpump should be all that's necessary - except that every one I've bought for years has broken in fairly short order.  If it's possible to buy a good quality one I haven't found it.

We carry this ring model as standard equipment, not cheap but its quick and having a long hose you don't have to move it around the vehicle.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ring-RAC900-100psi-12v-Heavy-Duty-Car-Van-4x4-Tyre-Inflator-Air-Compressor-Pump-/280521656913?pt=UK_Air_Tools_and_Compress

I'd agree that a footpump should be all that's necessary - except that every one I've bought for years has broken in fairly short order.  If it's possible to buy a good quality one I haven't found it.

Well, my present one (from Halfords) is 17 years old. I did once lose the nut from the piston rod, but that was easily fixed with the aid of a proper fixing factor who sold me one Nylok the right size. 

I asked the same question a while back (http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/252246-recommend-me-a-reliable-12v-tyre-inflator-please/?fromsearch=1) and ended up buying a Ring 610 which I have been quite happy with.

Odd way to reset it ready for the next tyre, but nothing too taxing.

As already said, long screw on air line which I like and plenty long enough cable to be able to use the centre conse 12V socket for the rear tyres in an Octavia estate.

Minor niggle, it takes a little practice getting the power cable back into the space provided without damaging the connection to the 12V adapter itself.

Cheers chaps will look into the Ring compressors (sounds medical :peek: )

 

Was thinking about the RAC700 anyway.

Just remember to pop the wife in the car, they're always full of air. 

Cheers chaps will look into the Ring compressors (sounds medical :peek: )

 

Was thinking about the RAC700 anyway.

 

Do not confuse the 700 with the 900 - check the Amazon reviews.  If I wanted something that would do regular duty I'd consider the 900 - almost no poor reviews and if the AA uses them they can't be that bad.  Otherwise I'd spend a tenner and hope for the best!

 

My dad had a brass-barrelled footpump, probably 1960s, serious quality.  I wish I'd kept track of it.  Long gone now.

Not sure if this helps but I've had quite a few OE ones now from a mate of mine who's father works at a car auction house - so we get them free - not saying I can lay my hands on them but if you know someone in that line of business??

I've had this for a couple of years now, does a good job for the money. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ring-RAC630-12v-Digital-Air-Compressor-Wheel-Tyre-Inflator-Pump-PSI-BAR-Case-/170918649920?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Wheels_tyre_Trims_Trims_ET&hash=item27cb8ba040

I use one of these as I only add small top ups of air to keep tyres at correct psi. Find this type of inflator much better than a foot pump. I check psi with a seperate (accurate) gauge.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BETO-STEEL-TRACK-FLOOR-PUMP-WITH-GAUGE-CYCLE-BIKE-BICYCLE-PUMP-140PSI-/380768310853?_trksid=p2054897.l5659

I've had this Michelin one a while now and it's great. It's a brass screw on fitting which I find better than the push on type some have. Little deflater button in the hose, set pressure and leave it, fairly fast, etc. It's also accurate when checked against a pencil gauge.

 

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7405244.htm

 

The Michelin foot pump I had however, was a total piece of carp.

 

I use a track pump for the motorbike and push bikes. A lot quicker and easier than plugging the electric one into the car. Like mr rooney says, they are loads better than foot pumps.

I used a ring one and it seems OK, screw in and digital. Works for me

Plenty of votes for the cheap Ring compressor.

 

Can't justify £70 for uber pump, I just use if for topping up tyres.

 

On a similar vein can anyone recommend a reasonably priced gauge? Assuming the ones on the pumps are pretty poor.

I have a Ring RAC(630?). Been great and the auto-off when it reaches the set pressure is very helpful.

The one on my Ring RAC610 is pretty accurate against the ones in the garages, but not against my separate digital pressure gauge (cheap one from Halfords which I know to be inaccurate).

I'd have no qualms trusting the digital gauge on my inflator to be close enough. Especially when measuring in Bars rather than PSI.

And the ring cost me about £30 from Amazon IIRC.

Plenty of votes for the cheap Ring compressor.

 

Can't justify £70 for uber pump, I just use if for topping up tyres.

 

On a similar vein can anyone recommend a reasonably priced gauge? Assuming the ones on the pumps are pretty poor.

I got mine (pen type, not dial) from Halfords. I can't remember the BS number, but there is a standard for calibrating these guages, and a calibrated one doesn't actually cost more.

I use this. Pretty good and reasonably priced.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&productId=786151&categoryId=255241&langId=-1

Fin

Ring RAC630 ordered from amazon

 

cheers chaps

For a tyre pressure gauge I use one of these:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Michelin-Programmable-Digital-Tyre-Pressure-Gauge-/400740460953?pt=UK_Car_Exterior_Accessories&hash=item5d4dfe2999

I've had a RAC600 for a couple of years and it gets used fairly regularly. The 630 looks like an updated version, so should be good.

On a similar vein can anyone recommend a reasonably priced gauge? Assuming the ones on the pumps are pretty poor.

 

 

Does this help?

 

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/85474/best-tyre-pressure-gauge-2014-group-test