A brief overview of the car compressor

February 29, 2020

Since the automotive industry has developed and refined at an unprecedented speed, the so-called hand and foot pumps, which are probably well known to most readers, have become a thing of the past just as quickly.

Because we have made pumps a thing of the past, instead we have replaced them with modern-type auto compressors, and today, many modern cars have a car tire compressor.

A car compressor, also known as an electric pump, is an electrical device that has a fairly compact size and easily, without much effort, pumps air into a car's tires.

While in the past, a compressor was a luxury for most cars, today there are many different types on the market. The choice is quite wide and, importantly, they are much more convenient and comfortable than hand or foot pumps.

Car enthusiasts often advise us not to buy low-priced compressors, because very often, such devices fail to work properly after several uses, leaving drivers with disappointment and wasted money.

In order to correctly choose powerful auto compressors, you need to be familiar with the types of pumps and their characteristics.

Compressor (pump) capacity

The main characteristic of the compressor is the productivity rate, which is calculated in l / min. Tires of modern cars are inflated to a pressure of 1.8 - 3 kg / sq. km. Therefore, you need to choose a 12-volt auto compressor , taking into account the size of the tires of your car.

However, compressors have a drawback: due to the high level of consumption, any compressor gets very hot. So, when choosing a device, it is important to check whether it has a built-in overheating protection mechanism.

Auto compressor pressure gauge

Each automotive compressor has a built-in pressure gauge. Therefore, it is desirable that it also has a clear, easy-to-read, visual scale indicator.

When buying an auto compressor, look for models with digital electronic pressure gauges, which have minimal errors.
There will be no need to purchase a separate pressure gauge to check tire pressure.

Additional features

In addition to its direct purpose - inflating tires, almost all models of car compressors can be used to inflate inflatable boats, pools, balls, and bicycle tires. For this purpose, the compressor may be equipped with additional equipment.

The air pump function is quite convenient, especially for owners of inflatable boats or mattresses. Many compressors are equipped with a red light filter, which allows you to use the device instead of a sign on the highway in the event of a car breakdown or accident.

If the compressor has a programmable function to inflate the tire to the required pressure, then after the tire is inflated to the desired level, it will automatically turn off. So, set the required pressure, press the start button, and then simply wait for the job to finish.

When choosing a compressor, pay attention to the length of the compressor hose and power cord. You never know in what conditions you will have to pump tires. Therefore, there should always be a way to reach any tire.

Read also: Other factors to consider when buying a pump .

The ideal compressor should be productive, reliable, durable, and preferably take up little space in a car.

So remember, when choosing an auto compressor for your car, to study all the features and additional functions of the device. Match them to your needs and, most importantly, do not save money on quality, because the lifespan of an automobile compressor depends on its quality.

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