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Air compressor, with or without tank?

8K views 23 replies 11 participants last post by  Ted_D 
#1 ·
So for those of you have use an air compressor to air up after wheeling, do you use an air tank along with your compressor, or do you fill directly from your compressor?
 
#9 ·
Its only $15-20 to fill a co2 tank, plus depening on how much you air down a 10lb tank could last you an entire season. Plus they're faster than a 12v compressor!
 
#15 ·
I'd never waste my time filling my C02 tank with nitrogen. It's a fad with ricers and a new way for tire shops to make more $$$ but there's no significant benefit to running it. Not to mention the air we breathe and pump for free is over 79% nitrogen already.
 
#16 ·
This... And this, you spend all day running a trail and all of a sudden ten minutes is of concern???
I'll keep my MV50 hard wired and not have to worry about a Co2 tank taking up space in the back. I need the room for camping gear. Oh, you can run a air tool off a tank. Guess what... Ive got two arms and im not a pussy.
 
#17 · (Edited)
My own experience is that it's more than ten minutes difference between a good OBA system and a small single-piston compressor like the MV50. For 35" tires, my previous belt-driven York OBA system and current C02 tank fills all four of my 35" tires from 4-8 psi to 25 psi in under 5 minutes total. After my previous TJ with its York OBA was stolen and before I got my C02 tank for my current TJ, a friend let me use his MV50 and it was more like 30 minutes to fill my tires. 30 minutes waiting on him, then 30 more minutes to fill my tires. And when I was done with the MV50, I was deaf and mumbling from its loud buzz. :eek: :D
 
#20 · (Edited)
Well, whatever makes you happy is fine.

For the rest of us, here are a couple of the better articles from neutral sources that compares nitrogen vs. air in tires and busts the myths.

Should You Fill Your Car's Tires With Nitrogen?

Car Talk busts the silly Nitrogen in car tires fad

A great telling point made in both of them is that there is an iota of truth in the nitrogen in tires points made by supporters but it is overblown and insignificant when the complete balanced story is known.
 
#21 ·
I have a belt-driven OBA system in my TJ; I converted my stock Sanden a/c compressor to OBA. I had the option of running a tank but in the end decided against it. I didn't want to run the extra plumbing and couldn't find a good place out of the way to mount it where it wouldn't get hit when rock crawling.

For point of reference, I air up my 35s from 8 to 36 psi in about 1.5 minutes each. My friends with their little 12v compressors take much longer. But its all in what you want to do, how much you want to spend, etc., etc.
 
#22 ·
In a jeep its not about weather you use co2 or nitrogen, its about what works best for your buck. I use nitrogen, not because it does a damn thing but blow up my tires, and for a whole lot less $ than co2. Actually most of the time its a free tank swap from the gas guy, cause he is cool, and is swapping bottles for medical practices at my work. Around here a typical 40 cu ft tank refill runs abt $15.
 
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