subject: What is a portable mini tire air compressor / inflator / pump? How to buy it? [print this page] What is a portable mini tire air compressor / inflator / pump? How to buy it?
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A portable tire inflator is a compact air compressor that is generally small enough to be carried by hand. Air compressors are an essential tool in theauto gadgets.They are typically battery powered or run on 12-volts DC, in which case they can have alligator clips to connect to a car battery or a plug to connect to an auto's cigarette lighter. The main purpose of a portable tire inflator is to adjust the air pressure in car tires while out on the road. Some units are powerful enough to inflate a completely flat tire to the specified pressure, while others are only capable of inflating to a level where neither rim or tire will be damaged while seeking repairs.
Compressors are small electric motors that pump out large quantities of pressurized air. The power that drives an air compressor -- the pressure it produces -- is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). A typical air compressor generates between 100 and 200 psi (690 and 1,379 kilopascals). Another useful measurement for air compressors is cubic feet per minute (cfm) or how much air the compressor can displace in a minute.
Air compressors usually run off of the vehicle's 12-volt power supply. The compressor can be permanently mounted to the vehicle or stowed away in a portable toolbox. Many people use air compressors in conjunction with on-board air tanks. The tank can be filled with compressed air before a drive to have 5 or 10 gallons (19 to 38 liters) of on-demand pressurized air without waiting for the compressor to power up. Portable tire inflators come in a variety of configurations, sizes, and capacities. The simplest units typically contain only a compressor, a mechanical pressure gauge, and are powered by 12-volts. They will often only be able to run for a limited amount of time before the compressor must be allowed to cool off, and have an upper limit on what PSI (kPa) they can inflate a tire to. Smaller units will generally have a lower limit and overheat more quickly, while providing the benefit of being easier to stow away in a small trunk or under a seat.
Combination inflators may also be widely available. These units may combine a portable tire inflator with a number of other complimentary functions. They might have a bright lamp attached in case a tire goes flat at night, flashing red or orange lights to warn other vehicles of a breakdown, an emergency siren, or a variety of other options. Some units that are battery-powered may also include jumper cables. These often have a powerful gel-pack battery on board, and can be used to jump start cars with dead batteries. Certain units will include other useful features, like an automatic shutoff. These inflators are typically able to run for a prolonged period without overheating and include a dial or other mechanism to set a desired air pressure. They can then be attached to the schrader valve on the tire, turned on, and will later turn off automatically when the correct pressure has been reached.
Air compressors have a wide variety of uses, but the most common is inflating tires. A tire inflator is usually nothing more than an air compressor, though there are some designed specifically for inflating tires. While a simple hand pump can also act as a tire inflator, using one would take more time and energy than most people would care to spend on the task, especially in the case of automobile tires. Most car owners look for automatic tire inflators to handle the job.
Commercial tire inflators, like those seen at fueling stations, are usually much more powerful than an individual will need. They are designed to handle multiple vehicles very quickly. Still, for those who are working on cars, or who have collections of cars, a larger unit may be the best option. Generally, those who are going to be inflating a few tires on an occasional basis only need a tire inflator with a capacity of one or two gallons (3.75 to 7.5 liters) of air.
Another option is a roadside tire inflator. This is a very small air compressor that can either be plugged into a standard electrical outlet, or run off the electrical current in the car. The device plugs into the DC outlet, traditionally known as the vehicle's cigarette lighter. It will usually take longer than a standard air compressor, even a smaller one, but it is still capable of inflating the tire to the proper pressure. Most will also have an air pressure gauge built in so the user can see when the desired air pressure has been reached.
Some of these roadside tire inflators include other features. Most will have a flashlight, which may aid in finding the tire's valve stem in the dark, or be used for other emergency situations. Some will include a flashing yellow light, meant to warn oncoming motorists of a disabled car alongside the road. Some may even include a feature where the user can program the tire inflator to automatically shut off after a certain pressure is reached.
To help increase portability, a roadside tire inflator may include an onboard battery, making the unit capable of being used wirelessly. This battery can be charged so that it is ready to use when the emergency situation comes up. Those using this feature should use caution, however. Unused rechargeable batteries will lose their charge over time. Thus, even if it has not been used since the last time it was charged, it could still be drained of power. It is a good idea to recharge the battery every two months to make certain it is ready for use.
In addition to pumping up car tires, a portable tire inflator can often be used to inflate other things. Many of these portable compressors will either come with a variety of attachments or be compatible with attachments obtained separately. In these cases, a portable tire inflator may be used to inflate things like bicycle or lawn mower tires, sports balls, and even beach toys.
As a manufacturer of in-car portable tire air inflators, Sailwider supply and export high quality tire air compressor for automobiles, motorcycles and bicycles.When testing portable car tire air compressor, pay attention to the accuracy, time used for the inflation, continuous working life, materials and appearance. Sailwider's digital or mechanical portable in-car air compressors are perfect for inflating theauto tire, motorcycle tires, bicycle tyre, floating bed, air bed, ball, and etc. The high quality air compressors are with fast inflating speed and low noise.
