Need a new air pump/air compressor they keep breaking

[Some Random Guy]

I didn’t know that but I do have the HD/Tow group so I will have to look into that

You have the round trailer connector then, and this is a great “mod” so you don’t have to pop the hood when you need to air up. I have a ViAir 400P automatic rewired to this connector.

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[Ratbert]

To be clear: that 80 PSI on the sidewall is the absolute max. It has nothing to do with what you should be running at.

50 PSI is insanely high. It will improve your mileage, but it will also wear out the middle of your tires quickly ($$$$$) and severely reduce handling and braking.

 

[soapy5]

If you are patient you can find a maxi-trac style 300lpm air compressor on sale for around $150 (all top air compressor), but that is overkill unless you use a 4 tire inflation system. The napa one is currently at $150 but has a weird connector that only works with the supplied hose.

If you don't want to deal with a 4 tire inflation system, right now the single pump version can be had for a pretty good deal (never seen it this low: $52): KAFLLA 12V Air Compressor Kit. it even has a pressure relief valve so it doesn't gernade if you eventually decide to mod it for a 4 tire setup.

These are all pretty much made in the same factory in china, the caveat is that you will need to be a little handy and inspect them; the price is so low because you are now the quality control. I bought an alltop one and it was missing two out of four bolts on the pressure head which could have been bad news if I had tried to use it. alternatively you can spend double for a morrflate; you get the same thing with a different paint job, but it might have been held to a higher quality standard.

edit: just a note, none of these run off internal batteries, they pull a lot of amps and need to be hooked up to your car battery when used.

 

[Dg1615]

Does anyone have any experience or ideas on a good air compressor/ pump? Since the last few I had just broke after a few uses where the first one melted itself and the second one I just had have the connection from the motor to the piston break inside of it. I am trying to find one that has a rechargeable battery and can handle filling up to 60 psi regularly since the old pumps I had were rated for 120 psi and couldn’t handle 60 psi. If possible I would like to not spend more the $200. Thanks

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/compressor.119593/post-2521018

 

[Camaroboi13]

The napa one is currently at $150 but has a weird connector that only works with the supplied hose.

A couple dollars in parts and it’s very easy to convert to standard air hose connections. Just fyi

 

[Rubi6mt]

OK I will look at Viair, thank you. I didn’t really notice it since I had to get rid of my last set of tires due to dry rot of them being old.

Agree, that's extremely high for a cold tire set pressure. For context I daily drive 37 inch KM3s set 29psi cold.

 

[newbie5150]

Do you have a 7-pin blade connector as part of the HD/tow group? If so you can wire almost any if the alligator clip compressors to run off your trailer hookup. I used a Viair auto for a year like that and still have it in my wife’s truck. It’s still running strong 3 years later.
As addressed, I believe you’re running way too high of a tire pressure. Bigger tire than stock should mean lower PSI than stock.

Do you mind elaborating on this a little? I am very intrigued.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Do you mind elaborating on this a little? I am very intrigued.

I have a new phone so I don’t have original photos handy. Basically, cut the alligator clips and use a 7-pin trailer plug from any box store. I think the JL supports 30A this way.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/JL-Wiring-Diagrams/TRAILER-TOW-SYSTEM.pdf

 

[newbie5150]

I have a new phone so I don’t have original photos handy. Basically, cut the alligator clips and use a 7-pin trailer plug from any box store. I think the JL supports 30A this way.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/JL-Wiring-Diagrams/TRAILER-TOW-SYSTEM.pdf

Thanks for the response. If you ever come across those pics and want to post them, that would be awesome. I am new at this and trying to learn. Thanks again.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Do you mind elaborating on this a little? I am very intrigued.

Just be sure that the gauge of wire in the jeep can handle the draw and that it is properly fused, of course. Some of these compressors are getting super high current draws.

On tire pressure, for perspective, I was running around 34 psi for the OEM Rubicon 33" tires. Went to 37x12.5x17 tires and I run between 28 and 30 psi cold. For a 35x12.5x18, I would think you want to be in the 30-32 psi area. Some will say even less than that.

 

[aldo98229]

I found the hard way that anything that plugs into the lighter won't last.

After burning through several air compressors, I settled on this type: https://www.amazon.com/ALL-TOP-150Psi-Compressor-Portable-Heavy/dp/B08637KCWQ/ref=sr_1_26?crid=30NO2Z7SP6RFN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.x9OuIELJptxnDvg9ptu-7AgsYhgZve9yqX8MM5srfIMoWxvUb01vMW26d0hO8hdb6ElPDUmPeb-zh6NUNyu1EYIBYb95GWuFIQKs19d2oVwLcEA5HN-IVBZyXyKs7m5eFjvF8GRwV9IL4ydLObduDKlO_Q_zNV0rBJBv5cR5yZ6118FH4K5xFYJJtUMSpxFg.YxtcqGffyc8aAV9wxsfWcz03Dn4R45mnR-s6W6VKE2g&dib_tag=se&keywords=portable+air+compressor&qid=1705372489&sprefix=portableair+compressor,aps,224&sr=8-26&th=1

I have owned one similar to it for eight years and it keeps going strong.

It inflates a 35-inch tire from 15 to 35 PSI in two minutes.

 

[wcjeep]

Be sure to check the duty cycle. Does it exceed your needs? Be careful connecting to the trailer supplied power. Won't take much compressor to exceed the available power. My portable compressor came with oddball fittings. Swapped everything. My YJ, diesel and portable air systems are now all the same fittings. YJ is converted air conditioning. Diesel uses Air Zenith. Portable is the bigger Smitybilt. Air Zenith is overkill for a Jeep.

 

[Dlit]

Do you have a 7-pin blade connector as part of the HD/tow group? If so you can wire almost any if the alligator clip compressors to run off your trailer hookup. I used a Viair auto for a year like that and still have it in my wife’s truck. It’s still running strong 3 years later.
As addressed, I believe you’re running way too high of a tire pressure. Bigger tire than stock should mean lower PSI than stock.

Any advice on how to do this or where to find instructions?

 

[roaniecowpony]

Any advice on how to do this or where to find instructions?

You might want to check the fuse rating on that circuit and check your compressor load rated amperage before doing anything else. If the compressor rating exceeds the circuit rating, it's a no-go.

If you want similar convenience, wire a heavy gauge connector to the battery and terminate it near the grill. Install the opposite connector on the compressor.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Any advice on how to do this or where to find instructions?

Home Depot example. Connect the compressor (max 30A pull) to Pin 1 and 4.

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