A 12V portable air compressor is a must-have accessory for almost any vehicle, but is especially useful for off-road vehicles and ATV campers. Flat tires are just part of the territory when riding in the back country. Getting stuck in the back country with a flat or under inflated tire can really ruin a good ride.
12V Portable air compressors have a number of uses, not the least of which is an emergency air supply for tires with slow leaks or trail side tire repairs.
12V Portable Air Compressors Have a Number of Uses
For campers, having an air compressor to inflate air mattresses can be very useful. For fisherman, having an air compressor for float tubes and inflatable boats means getting out on the water quicker.
There are different sizes of compressors available, so you will want to get one that will handle the tasks you need it for. I actually have two, a small one that I carry on my ATV and a larger one I carry in my truck. When deciding on the right 12v portable air compressor there is a term you need to understand and that is Duty Cycle.
Duty cycle refers to the amount of time a compressor can be operated in a given time period, at 100 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch), at a standard ambient temperature of 72° F. Duty cycle is commonly expressed in percentage format as:
Compressor On Time ÷ (On Time + Off Time) = Duty Cycle %
For example, a compressor that is rated for 25% duty cycle means that the unit can be operated for:
10 minutes on and 30 minutes off =
10 min. ÷ (10 min. + 30 min.) =
10 min./40 min. = 25% duty cycle
The duty cycle of a compressor is assigned at the factory and is the factory recommended operating parameter for the unit. Continuous operation above the recommended duty cycle will shorten the life of the unit. Trying to inflate large truck tires with a small unit with a 10% duty cycle will either take all day or overheat the compressor.
12v Portable Air Compressor Duty Cycle Reference Chart
| Duty Cycle: 100PSI @ 72°F | Max. Run Time / Min. Rest Time |
| 10% Duty Cycle | 3 Min. On / 27 Min. Off |
| 15% Duty Cycle | 6 Min. On / 34 Min. Off |
| 20% Duty Cycle | 8 Min. On / 32 Min. Off |
| 25% Duty Cycle | 10 Min. On / 30 Min. Off |
| 30% Duty Cycle | 13 Min. On / 30 Min. Off |
| 33% Duty Cycle | 15 Min. On / 30 Min. Off |
| 100% Duty Cycle | Continuous Duty @ 100PSI @ 72°F |
It is recommended that you always operate 12V portable air compressors within the factory recommended parameters and with a vehicle’s engine running, providing charging voltage to the compressor for best performance.
Check out the line of quality Viair air compressors at CampingATV.com and select the 12V portable air compressor that is right for your application. Don’t get stuck under inflated again.
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Yah I have to agree that air compressor is very important in every vehicle especially if you love to travel a long way like us. We had a lot of family experience about having flat tire during road trips and such a great help to have something to inflate tires especially in places far from establishments.
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