Scoobydoobydoo

I'd like to pick up a small compressor that I can store in the car when on road trips. Wondering what you guys have or recommend. Ideally it could be run on both 110V A/C as well as 12V DC but not a must.

Thanks

Skidplate

I use this one. It is portable (rechargeable) and it fits in the rear cubby. It can run off the internal battery or 12v DC lighter plug and recharge off of 110v AC.

nmvettec7

VIAIR 85P Portable Air Compressor

It comes in a case and fits perfectly in the cubby hole in the left side of the rear cargo hatch.

Just cut & paste and google the above. $49.99

Twisted Swifter

I did some research before I bought mine, and the manufacturer VIAIR just kept getting recommended. Their stuff isn't cheap (nor is it lightweight), but it is high quality kit.

I ended up deciding that I didn't need 120VAC capability, so my compressor is 12VDC only. It should be hooked up directly to the front or rear battery posts only using the provided clamps. There is no option included to run the unit from a cigarette lighter plug.

Watch out for the rated duty cycle before buying any specific unit. My VIAIR can run continuously for 40 minutes before it needs to rest. Many of the cheap compressors will overheat pretty quickly. Also make sure that the compressor that you buy is capable of providing the pressure that you need. If you want to be able to fill up bicycle tires too, you might want a unit that is capable of going up to 120 psi or higher. Of course the flow rate is important too. If you want to run air-powered shop tools you'll probably need to look for a 120VAC compressor. You may also want to have a unit that automatically cuts off so that you can walk away from it while it is filling your tires without worrying about blowing them up.

Here is the unit that I ended up buying:

http://www.viaircorp.com/450P-auto.html

http://smile.amazon.com/VIAIR-Automa...rds=viair+450p

Else you could go the compressed air tank route. I decided that the Power Tank systems were the perfect solution for my vehicles. This is what I keep in my 'Vette for longer road trips in case I need some air in an emergency:

http://powertank.com/products/sfID1/.../productID/115

The downside to this approach is that you do need a way to fill the tank. I took my tank to a local beer brewing supply store to have it filled. You can also do it anywhere that refills paintball tanks. Or if you have a compressor in your garage, you can buy the fittings to fill your own tank(s).

fsvoboda

Here's a review of ten slightly different choices. I've got several of an earlier version of the Car and Driver branded compressor, door prizes at a political banquet, that work quite well. Current version (DC only) is about $15.

R23HTC

I keep this on the ledge behind the driver's seat and the security shade.

LIStingray

To me, a portable air compressor for a C7 should be light - it will only get used if there is a tire leak, so get one of those $19.99 units that weigh 2 lbs and fit in the trunk cubby.
For my Jeep that I take off-roading, I have a VIAIR 440P ($300) that weighs about 15 lbs and draws 40 amps - I set up a dedicated underhood connector with 50 amp fuse right off the battery to use it. It will fill each Jeep tire from 14 psi (offroad pressure) to 35 psi in 3 minutes.

RUSTYNKL

WALMART,How often will you use it? I used the one in my C-5 on friends tires more than mine. Just sayin