Every professional motorist was faced with a problem when a wheel was punched with a nail or a screw that was stuck in a hole and not torn in a hole. To the nearest tire fitting a dozen kilometers, the reserve is lowered. An ordinary automobile pump will not help here, because air will come out through the hole, but a powerful automobile compressor is ideal. This device works on the principle of a pump, but the power is taken from the car battery, the wheel is pumped in a matter of minutes, but you need to control the pressure in the wheel so as not to break it. There are many types of compressors , but it’s better to first figure out which model is best for a particular car. After all, there are wheels for cars, where the pressure is less, and there are wheels for trucks and buses.
In the bottom article, we will consider the types and rating of automobile compressors for tires, which is built depending on the preferences and technical characteristics of these devices.
Types of Compressors
- Piston
- Membrane
- Rotary.
To answer the question “Automotive compressor - which is better?”, You need to carefully study the design and features of each type. All of them are compact, light in weight, quickly connect to the battery and quickly pump air under pressure. The compressor should always be in the trunk of the car, because then the car will be constantly on the go, and reaching the nearest tire fitting will not be difficult.
Many companies care about maintaining their credibility in the global automotive market and subject their products to rigorous and numerous inspections, and test automotive compressors.
Piston compressor - reliability and confidence in the future
This is a reliable and durable type of compressor that works according to the old principle of compressing air with a piston and supplying pressure to the chamber. The principle is similar to the operation of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, with a slight difference - air is used here. But the piston automobile compressor for pumping tires is very hot, does not give much pressure in the system, in addition, it is bulky and heavy. When choosing a model, the following factors should be considered:
- The model should be distinguished by high performance, and this parameter depends on the build quality and manufacturer. Weak compressors are cheap, and powerful compressors are expensive, weak compressors are suitable for cars, and powerful compressors are suitable for trucks.
- Operating pressure. If the compressor is weak, it is not able to inflate the tire even to operating pressure.
- Food. The electric automobile 12V compressor works from the cigarette lighter or from the battery terminals (24 V).
- Additional options: pressure control in the system, shut-off valve, compressor temperature control, number of piston groups. Such products have high-quality products by default, although they are more expensive.
Units are single-piston and two-piston. The two-piston automobile compressor is suitable for pumping tires of any volume. Thanks to two pistons, such a device has doubled power and durability. In addition, it is less noisy than single piston. It is also worth noting that the two-piston automotive compressor of the new models is equipped with an overload fuse and an air filter. Such a unit works from a car cigarette lighter.
Diaphragm compressor
Despite the high cost, membrane compressors are universal. They are reliable, because they consist of only a couple of parts, are easily repaired. They practically do not break, and the main cause of failure is the incorrect operation of the product. They are weaker than reciprocating compressors, but for a passenger car, this is an ideal solution, given the ease of starting.
When buying a membrane compressor, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer and the type of operation of the product. There are direct current compressors, but there are reverse ones. Return feed compressors are not worth buying, in spite of their appearance, they are not suitable for automobiles, except for bicycle tires. You need to buy membrane automobile compressors in specialized stores where they will provide a guarantee for the product and will teach you how to use it.
Rotary compressors
They are bought for pumping wheels of trucks and buses. They are distinguished by high power, speed and reliability. They are connected only to the car battery, other power supply methods are not provided. Therefore, rotary compressors have found application not only in the trunk of a car, but also in construction, in the private sector. But they are expensive, although power, reliability, and swap speed completely compensate for this drawback.
High quality - compressor selection criteria
Despite the huge selection of compressors on the market, the car owner must decide for himself what exactly he needs. Therefore, you can point out a number of recommendations for choosing such products:
- Performance. This is the most important element, determines the purchase by 50%. Product quality is the manufacturer. There are a lot of them, the competition in the market is fierce, so you cannot do without the help of specialists. Only masters are able to tell which automobile compressor for pumping tires is better to buy for this model of car, and what not to pay attention to.
- Accessories. Any modern high-quality compressor should be assembled exclusively from original spare parts from this manufacturer. It is better to immediately ask for a quality certificate.
How to buy the best automobile compressor?
First you need to decide why it is needed at all. The main task of the compressor is to quickly inflate the tires. So, the first selection criterion is speed.
Next is ease of use, because often you have to pump the wheels in general in extreme conditions. Auto-paging systems are not considered. So, you need to buy convenient compact compressors that are not afraid of dirt, rain and snow.
The function of pumping air. For many, it is not needed, but in fact it is an important utility of any high-quality compressor. After all, he can independently balance the pressure in the wheel according to the specified parameters, and then close the tire valve. And such an addition is quite inexpensive.
Working temperature. Any compressor heats up, but it is worth noting that different models heat up differently. It is better to buy products with built-in capacitors that turn off the device in case of emergency.
Automotive Compressor Rating
The rating is made according to several criteria, based on their parameters, such as:
- Performance. In some cases, it is not the speed of the wheel injection that matters, but the maximum allowable power. After all, a weak compressor will not put the wheel on the cord, but a powerful one will break the tubeless wheel.
- Type of connection. A powerful compressor is equipped with a powerful engine, which means that the power supply must be appropriate. Therefore, you cannot buy compressors that are plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. They just burn the car wiring in the worst case, and so - the fuses fuse. You need to buy only models that have crocodile terminals for connecting to the battery.
- Cord length. Here you need to disappoint many motorists. The cord length is limited, often the power cable is very rigid. The solution to the problem is contacting a service center where, without loss of warranty, the cable will be changed or extended.
- Pressure gauge accuracy. Only professional motorists with great driving experience can evaluate the pressure in the wheel by touch. Alas, most drivers do not suffer from this, and some generally do not know the design of the car. It is better to buy a manometer digital with a small scale of division. Cut off compressors with double digitization immediately.
- Duration of work. It is selected depending on the car. If you need to pump up the wheels of a jeep or truck, then a weak compressor will simply overheat.
The best low-cost compressors
This rating of automobile compressors includes models: Airline X3, "Kachok-K50", DeFort DCC-25, Skyway "Buran-01".
Airline x3
Despite its Chinese origin, many car owners loved the model. This is a good automobile compressor with a number of advantages, among which are low cost, piston group reliability, compact size. Also attractive is the presence of a clamping nut on the fitting - although it can be connected for a long time, it is reliable. The case is metal, the performance is high, the build quality is excellent. Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the division price of 0.2 atmospheres and high noise.
"Kachok-K50"
A powerful and reliable compressor of domestic production, which produces a capacity of up to 30 l / min. at a pressure of 7 atm. The design is simple, the combination of an electric motor with a single-piston group. The manometer is poorly readable, dividing by 0.2 atmospheres, is connected to the cigarette lighter socket. Simple design combined with low cost, it is easy to operate. The only drawback is high noise and significant vibration.
DeFort DCC-25
Low productivity, just three different gauge scales, which are easy to get confused in. But the price is adequate, and therefore is popular, given the simple design and excellent performance.
Skyway "Buran-01"
This compressor is ready to take first place in the ranking of budget products, but has one drawback - a current of 14 A. And the presence of a standard cigarette lighter as a result will result in problems with wiring. After the purchase, you will have to change the power cable. But this is the only drawback. The rest is a high-quality reliable compressor equipped with an informative pressure gauge with a low division value.
Top Premium Compressors
This rating of automotive compressors includes the following devices: compressor Berkut R-20, AGR-160, AVS Turbo KS750D. We consider each of them in more detail.
Berkut R-20
This is a powerful compressor that can be operated in an industrial environment. Huge performance, the presence of a fitting with a quick-detachable connector, a gun for pumping tires, maximum operating pressure up to 14 atmospheres, continuous operation for up to an hour, the presence of an air filter. And this is far from the complete set of the device. The Berkut R-20 compressor is adequately appreciated by professional racers and athletes, especially since it is equipped with crocodiles with fuses. A seven-meter air hose is included in the scope of delivery.
AGR-160
This is a professional good automobile compressor for trucks, powerful, reliable, able to clean the wing liner of adhering dirt with just one pressure. And even despite the large dimensions, the reliability of this product is at the highest level, because the two piston chambers work independently, and the working pressure is up to 24 atmospheres. Also, the compressor is equipped with fuses, a long air hose and power “crocodiles”.
AVS Turbo KS750D
The inexpensive, high-performance automobile compressor AVS Turbo KS750D is characterized by a high performance indicator corresponding to 75 l / min, which is one of the main advantages for such devices. Also a definite plus is the uninterrupted and stable operation of the unit under the most diverse climatic conditions (from - 35 degrees below zero to + 80 degrees above zero).
Of course, this test of automotive compressors does not cover all the variety of models. The most budgetary and affordable ones were considered.
So, we examined what a car compressor is. Which one is better ? It depends on the technical parameters of the car and individual needs.