Are you considering buying an air compressor, but don’t know what to look for before making your final purchase? An air compressor is just what you need to give your engine an extra kick of power, and you must select the right one.
In this article, we’re going to provide you with a list of things that you need to be on the lookout for when purchasing an air compressor. Sticking to the items on our list will help you make the best selection possible.
Please continue reading for all of the information that you need to know when it comes to buying your brand new compressor.
1. Is It Portable?
When looking into an air compressor for your car, you want to think about the portability factor. When you use it, the compressor should move easily through the vehicle, allowing you to get to each tire without putting forth too much effort.
When thinking about whether the compressor is portable or not, consider the size of the compressor that you purchase. You’ll want to ensure that you can easily fit it in the back of your car without any issues.
If it doesn’t fit into your car, you’ll have to figure out other ways to store it and still be able to take it with you from place to place.
2. Set a Budget
Before you begin shopping for the air compressor, set a budget. This will keep you from overspending when making your final purchase.
Your budget should take into account a plethora of things, including the size of the compressors that you would like to purchase. Having a budget can help you save money and put it towards something else you may need for your car.
Plus, there are times that you can get a better deal on an air compressor that is sold at a lower price range.
3. Fuel That You Want to Use
When considering the type of fuel to use in your air compressor, you’ve got gas or diesel. Each type has its pros and cons that should be considered before making your final choice.
Gas can light quickly when the conditions are optimal outside. But, the upside is there is no thick gas given off in the way that diesel does.
However, diesel is much better for outdoor use, and that’s why it’s the best for your car. When looking for fuel, you’ll be better off if you get a used diesel air compressor. Diesel is also more durable than gas, making it once again the better option for your car.
4. Cycle
When we say cycle, we mean how long you can use the air compressor before needing to turn it off. If the compressor has a lengthy cycle, then that means you’ve got to allow it to cool for a longer time before you’re able to use it again.
If the duty cycle is four minutes, the cycle is 40%. This means that if you’ve run the compressor for 4 minutes, it’ll need 6 minutes to cool before you’re able to use it again.
If you’re expecting to use the compressor frequently, you’ll want to pay close attention to the machine’s duty cycle.
5. Time of Inflation
Depending on the size of your tires, it could take longer when using the air compressor to inflate them. Before selecting your air compressor, you’ll want to ensure that the compressor doesn’t take a long time to inflate the tires that are on your vehicle.
This is crucial because if you’re pressed for time, the last thing that you’ll want to do is wait to fill your tire. This is where the duty cycle would come into play, as well.
In between uses, you’ll have to turn the machine off and allow it to cool before moving to the next tire that needs to be inflated. If you’re on the side of the road and a storm is coming having a compressor with a quicker inflation time will ensure that you don’t get caught out in the rain.
And the last thing that you’re going to want to do is to be stuck in the rain trying to use an air compressor. Not only is that frustrating, but it also poses a safety hazard.
6. Types of Compressor
Another thing to take into account is the type of compressor that you want. There are a variety of compressors that you can use, including the pancake compressor.
This compressor gets its name because it’s flat and round resembling a pancake. The compressor is meant to make it easier to store, which comes in hand if you’d like to keep it in the back of your vehicle.
Another option that you have is the hot dog compressor. This design has a cylindrical tank, and that is why its gotten the name of the hotdog compressor.
If your trunk space isn’t as ample, then this compressor shape may not work for you as far as storage goes. The largest of compressors that are out there could be the wheelbarrow compressor.
While it’s larger and offers more power, it features handles and wheels that make it easier to transport from place to place.
Remember, the compressor that you choose should be portable and give you the ability to move it from place to place with ease. If the machine is challenging to move then, you may want to continue looking for one that’s easier to move and use.
Buying An Air Compressor Made Easy
When it comes to buying an air compressor, then you must consider all of the factors that we’ve listed above. They will guide you when it comes to selecting the right compressor for you.
If you found this article full of insightful information, we recommend that you choose another article of ours to read. We want to make sure that all of our articles are full of engaging content for our readers.
