Recommendations for tyre pressure compressor

Discuss all aspects of Car Care / Detailling etc.
Post Reply
User avatar
Charles
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 8061
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2003 2:44 am
Location: Oxford

Recommendations for tyre pressure compressor

Post by Charles » Sun Oct 11, 2020 10:02 am

As the title suggests, I am looking for recommendations for tyre pressure compressors - ideally dual power (12v car and mains) but 12v only as well.

Accuracy of pressure gauge is important as well as being able to attach to hidden Alpina valves.
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order ;)
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!

Hector's Dad
Posts: 45
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 5:07 pm

Re: Recommendations for tyre pressure compressor

Post by Hector's Dad » Sun Oct 11, 2020 12:35 pm

I use this Ring model. It's excellent but it's pressure gauge differs slightly from my Michelin digital gauge and that it turn differs from the inbuilt pressure monitors. But they're all reasonably close.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Ring-RAC900- ... ers-osp-21
F32 D4 BiTurbo

User avatar
Charles
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 8061
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2003 2:44 am
Location: Oxford

Re: Recommendations for tyre pressure compressor

Post by Charles » Sun Oct 11, 2020 5:51 pm

Thanks for the recommendation :D
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order ;)
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!

Collectingbrass
Posts: 47
Joined: Sat Aug 03, 2019 4:44 pm

Re: Recommendations for tyre pressure compressor

Post by Collectingbrass » Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:21 pm

I use a Ryobi compressor, but I'm already in that battery / tool "family". It might be worth exploring what's available if you have a single make set of battery tools. I haven't calibrated it, but 3 bar in the tyre on the compressor is displayed as 3 bar in the tyre on the car "vehicle status" on an F32 D4 so I guess it is close enough.
2015 D4
2004 645Ci (sold regretfully)
2001 E39 525 (sold happily)
1997 E36 328 Cab (written off due to CAT theft :cry: )
2004 Z4 3.0s (I clearly have a habit...)

Fast3000
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 829
Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2014 9:22 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

Re: Recommendations for tyre pressure compressor

Post by Fast3000 » Mon Oct 12, 2020 3:53 pm

I have a cheapish ebay compressor with a guage (that fits onto the valves nicely!) and then use use a digital pressure gauge (Michelin one!) to check exact PSI / BAR. Worthy investment!
Current
2004 BMW B3S #156 (Keeper)
2015 BMW 320d F30 ED Sport (70mpg)
Previous
2011, 2016, 2018 - Kia Sportage (Rolls Royce customer care)
2007 BMW Z4M E86 Coupe (Animal)
2006 Audi A4 B7 2.0T (Good car)
2001 VW Golf GTI MK4 (Meh)
1994 Ford Escort 1.6 Zetec (light n dandy)
1992 Fiat Tipo GT (Fun car)
1991 Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia (beefy engine)
1984 Ford Fiesta 1.1L (Audio more expensive then car)

User avatar
Charles
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 8061
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2003 2:44 am
Location: Oxford

Re: Recommendations for tyre pressure compressor

Post by Charles » Mon Oct 12, 2020 5:52 pm

Thanks for the additional recommendations.

In the end, I have gone for a Ring RTC 1000 which has a pre-set digital gauge,long leads (both 12V and air line), integral light for night time work and was well received by Honest John and others.

I'll try and report back on how it performs
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order ;)
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!

hap
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 5129
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:22 am
Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincs

Re: Recommendations for tyre pressure compressor

Post by hap » Mon Oct 12, 2020 6:09 pm

Yes pls Charles esp if it fits the valves
What’s cost

User avatar
Charles
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 8061
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2003 2:44 am
Location: Oxford

Re: Recommendations for tyre pressure compressor

Post by Charles » Tue Oct 13, 2020 5:05 pm

First impressions of the Ring RTC 1000 are positive.

Tried the compressor on my son's Seat this morning as he has a slow puncture and needed to top up the tyre.

1. The unit has a long power lead so you can easily reach any of the tyres, no matter where the 12v socket is in the car
2. To attach the air lead to the valve, there is a brass screw on attachment rather than a push-on type, which ensures a tight and constant fit. I've yet to see whether this will fit easily onto a concealed ALPINA valve but a quick measurement of the diameter suggests that it should be OK
3. There is a pre-set pressure feature (in Bar, psi and kPa) which is easy to use and this is displayed on a large digital display (up to 100psi or equivalent)
4. Press the on button and the unit starts, pumping up an 225/45R18 tyre from 15psi to 38psi (as displayed) in a couple of minutes, before switching off automatically
5. I have yet to check the compressor gauge against a separate gauge to check accuracy
6. After use, the power lead is wound back into the back of the unit and the air line folds away in its own compartment - all neat and tidy.

So far so good, but I'll let you know more once I've tried it on my wheels and also confirmed the accuracy of the gauge.

Did I mention that it also has a built-in light so that you can see what you are doing at night, as well as additional attachment heads for press-on bike valves and for pumping up rugby balls?
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order ;)
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!

Post Reply