How to choose and buy a car compressor?

Car Compressor Autocompressor-an electric device for inflating the wheels. But on which model to choose, which is better to buy: a piston or a membrane compressor? Let's understand in detail.

In a piston autocompressor, air is compressed using a piston set in motion by a connecting rod mechanism and reciprocating. This mechanism is controlled by a DC motor with a gearbox. Everything seems simple and reliable, and it is worth buying an auto-compressor of exactly this type, but ... In order for a piston compressor to inject air quickly, it must have a large cylinder volume and, accordingly, a large enough weight. Friction in a pair of "piston-cylinder" and in bearings, heating the air during compression causes the compressor to heat up under heavy loads. During operation, dust gets into the device, and the air filter in most models is not provided; therefore, over time, the cylinder-piston group wears out and the generated pressure drops. The rubbing pair “piston-cylinder” cannot be repaired after failure. Ideally, the cylinder should be made of high-strength alloyed stainless steel, mirror-polished inside, then the life of the device will be quite high. In fact, many manufacturers make a cylinder of galvanized steel, which does not "live" for a long time. The highest reliability is ensured by a piston compressor for a car in which the metal connecting rod of the piston is mounted directly on the metal shaft of the electric motor, and not through plastic bushings, adapters and connecting rods, which affects the duration of operation and service life.

But membrane autocompressors are built on a different principle. The air pumps a rubber membrane fabric that performs reciprocating motion. The rubbing parts in such a compressor are only two bearings, so it fails less often. The diaphragm autocompressor, in principle, is repairable, a torn diaphragm can be replaced. But during the cold season, the rubber membrane becomes less elastic, making it difficult to operate the device.

It is believed that piston autocompressors have a higher productivity than membrane ones: therefore, membrane ones are used to inflate tires no more than 14 inches, piston ones-to inflate tires of larger sizes.

There are also rotary compressors. The advantages of this type of compressor are simplicity and reliability; in addition, with its help, no effort will be to quickly pump up large volumes-200–300 liters per minute. For example, a rotary twin-engine compressor for a boat or a mattress is perfect.

Continuing the topic of choosing an autocompressor for yourself, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

performance;
pressure;
pressure gauge;
pressure units;
type of food;
advanced options.

Performance is indicated in each model and is expressed in liters per minute. For example, if the performance of an autocompressor equals 30–40 liters per minute, then such a device without problems will quite quickly inflate tires with a diameter of 13–14 inches in any passenger car. For SUVs and trucks, you need to choose a compressor with a capacity of 50–70 liters per minute. The site 130.com.ua presents a large selection of products in this category, here you will find exactly what you need.

The maximum working pressure of a car compressor is up to 8 atm. But when choosing a device you should not give priority to the maximum pressure specified in its technical characteristics. Even qualitative models do not always correspond to the declared values.

Pressure gauge . Automobile compressors are equipped with analog or digital gauges. The accuracy of inflation and pressure reading in the wheel is of great importance, therefore, the pressure gauge must have high accuracy with the minimum value of the error, and its scale must be well discernible and easy to use. Digital pressure gauge is much more convenient to use than analog. The pressure on it is displayed with an accuracy of two decimal places, there is no image vibration during inflation, the unit of measurement can be changed: PSI, BAR, KG, KPA. An additional advantage of the electronic gauge is the Autostop system: if you set the required pressure on the scale, the compressor will pump up the wheel to the required pressure and automatically turn off. At the same time you can not leave the car.

Pressure units. Information about how much pressure should be in the tires of a car can be found in the owner’s manual, at the driver’s door pillar, or inside the fuel tank cap. Depending on the country in which the car is manufactured, the units in which the optimal pressure is indicated in the instructions may be different-bar, atm., KPa, kg/cm2, psi (psi). In order not to be confused in physical terms, it’s enough to know that bars, atmospheres and kg/cm2 differ by hundredths and are approximately equal to 100 kPa or 14 psi.

By type of power automobile compressors are divided into: powered from the vehicle’s network or from the internal battery. Small power devices operate from the cigarette lighter. More powerful models with high current consumption are equipped with wires with special “crocodile” clips for connecting to the battery terminals. Not very convenient, but the maximum energy at your disposal. Compressors with a built-in battery are charged from a 220 V household power supply. The charge, on average, is enough for a full pump of 2 to 3 wheels.

Additional useful options. When choosing a compressor for a machine, you should pay attention not only to the speed with which it inflates the wheel, but also to its ease of use. This is due to the fact that the driver often has to pump up the wheel, and not to pump it completely.

air extraction function is useful when you need to remove air from an inflatable mattress or rubber boat before you roll them;
the presence of a bleed valve, with which it is convenient to reduce tire pressure, for example, when going down a dirt road;
the automatic shutdown function, as already mentioned, allows you to pump up the wheel while sitting in the car, eating in the street bad weather;
automatic shutdown when overheating;
a set of special fittings-adapters provides the ability to pump up not only car wheels, but also various sports equipment: mattresses, balls, toys, boats and other inflatable objects used by people in everyday life;
a nice addition can be a built-in flashlight or a flashlight with a light filter, which in the event of an accident begins to signal a red light;
Storage bag with locks and pockets.

In order to finally verify the correctness of your choice, you should carefully inspect the outside device that you preferred. If this product is a bona fide manufacturing company, then all the numbers and stamps will be well readable, and the materials and appearance of the structure will not inspire distrust with their unreliability and fragility. If the compressor case is plastic, not metal, it must be non-combustible, frost-resistant and impact-resistant. Air hoses should also be frost resistant and made of good rubber, as this is one of the most critical parts of the system. It is responsible for transferring high pressure from the compressor to the tire, and its premature failure can cause a lot of unwanted problems.

It is best to choose the type of compressor that is right for your needs. Low price, small size, with the power, reliability and ease of use can not always be combined in one device. You can buy an autocompressor in Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa at 130.com.ua with delivery in Ukraine.

TOP-3 autocompressor

Best autocompressors

Looking for a quality and the best autocompressors? This rating of autocompressors is made on the basis of such parameters as: high demand with positive feedback from our customers, high-quality manufacturing — absence of factory defects and service calls, and official warranty and post warranty support in Ukraine.