Can anyone recommend a good hand pump for inflating (toping off) your tires?. I have a cheap bicycle pump that just doesn't move enough air. I'd imagine someone makes one better suited for car tires but can't find anything.

Basically I want to use it for track days when I want to increase air pressure. Also, my wifes car (non-MINI) seams like every winter when it gets really cold, there is always one tire loosing air that needs topping off. Not having easy access to an outside electric outlet and being fairly sure the 12v cig. lighter pumps are all junk (correct me if I am wrong), I am looking for a good manual (hand or I guess foot) solution. Ideas?

 

I have a 12V pump that works very well, but it draws 20 amps - most cigarette lighters are fused to 10amps. It does a nice job. Problem is, it's some kind of no-name brand or something. I have never seen another one for sale. Probably because everyone that bought one blew out their cigarette lighter fuse and complained, so it was pulled from the market or something

You could use an air-tank. A lot of autocrossers do that, but I never have since my pump works so well.

There are some nice bicycle tire pumps these days. Go to a good bike shop, and take a look at the floor pumps. Be prepared to spend a bit of cash (100 bucks maybe), but you should be able to get a large diameter, long stroke pump that will top off your tires.

 

I used to use a foot pump to put a few extra psi in my tires, but it would often take 4-5 minutes per tire, and that got old fast. I've used portable air tanks for 5-6 years now, and would never go back to a manual pump. You can buy a decent air tank for $25-35 and either fill it up at a gas station or at a friend's place with a compressor, or buy your own small compressor.

When we lived in a condo and had no outside electric, I kept a small 1 hp tankless air compressor (cost $80-100 IIRC) inside to keep my air tank topped off and to power small air tools. Worked like a charm. With an air tank it only takes seconds to add 5-10 psi, and you can get a larger portable tank for more capacity or a smaller one to take up less space. I have two now, one is 11 gallons, the other is 7 gallons.

-Keith

 

hummm... the 12v one ive been using the last 4 yrs or so was fine
from the cigarette lighter.

i forget which brand it was but it was a cheepo $25 one. i currently
use a 120v one from craftsman and thing kicks butt.