Power Up Your RV With Pneumatic Air
RVers are concerned with air pressure in their tires, but they may also have air bag stabilizers on their tow vehicles or pneumatic power tools they need to use. This requires an air compressor that will do the job. I’ve owned several air compressors in various sizes and configurations. I'm currently using a Master Power, 2 Horse Power, 150 psi, 5 gallon capacity air compressor by Cooper Tools. 
I like this unit because it's basically square and fits neatly in one of my slide out trays in the motorhome basement next to a power outlet. It will handle two hoses at once so you can have a hose for both sides of your coach or have two air tools hooked up at once. 
Since motorhome tires have a required tire air pressure of 110 psi (depending on load and manufacturers recommendations) you will need a heavy duty air compressor to handle this amount of air pressure. Most motorhomes with air brakes and air bags have a valve that allows you to use the onboard air compressor. The problem with this is that these systems are set to cut off at around 130 psi so it takes a long time to fill your tires because it has to cycle back and forth until your tires are topped off. A positive point is that motorhome air is "dried" so no moisture enters your tires (a bad thing). If you use a stand alone unit, you should attach an air drier before using it to inflate your tires.
I like my Master Power unit because it has a fold down handle and rear wheels allowing you to “tip and roll” the unit wherever you need it. Relying solely on the motorhome unit does not afford the luxury of moving the compressor so depending on the length of your rig, you will need 50 or 60 feet of hose to air up all your tires. Another problem in using the motorhome unit is that you’ll irritate your neighbors with your noisome engine running and the air compressor cycling off and on because it takes much longer to air up using your motorhome’s air compressor than it does a quieter less obtrusive stand alone compressor. The drawback to the electric air compressor is that it requires electricity to work, so you will need to run it off of shore power. Air compressors suck up good deal of electric current so you will need to use a heavy duty extension cord. If you’re out in the boonies most motorhome generators will power these units. However, the smaller portable generators like the Honda 2000 will not. 
I purchased this unit from COSTCO for $150.00 and I have seen a similar model at Sears. A portable unit like this is useful in many ways including blowing out dust from your water heater, refrigerator chimney and external heater orifice. They also come in handy for powering pneumatic staplers, nailers, grinders, wrenches, buffers, drills and many other pneumatic tools. Compressed air has many uses and having access to a unit like this makes RV maintenance more convenient. Helping you blow off some compressed air - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing
I like this unit because it's basically square and fits neatly in one of my slide out trays in the motorhome basement next to a power outlet. It will handle two hoses at once so you can have a hose for both sides of your coach or have two air tools hooked up at once. 
Since motorhome tires have a required tire air pressure of 110 psi (depending on load and manufacturers recommendations) you will need a heavy duty air compressor to handle this amount of air pressure. Most motorhomes with air brakes and air bags have a valve that allows you to use the onboard air compressor. The problem with this is that these systems are set to cut off at around 130 psi so it takes a long time to fill your tires because it has to cycle back and forth until your tires are topped off. A positive point is that motorhome air is "dried" so no moisture enters your tires (a bad thing). If you use a stand alone unit, you should attach an air drier before using it to inflate your tires.
I like my Master Power unit because it has a fold down handle and rear wheels allowing you to “tip and roll” the unit wherever you need it. Relying solely on the motorhome unit does not afford the luxury of moving the compressor so depending on the length of your rig, you will need 50 or 60 feet of hose to air up all your tires. Another problem in using the motorhome unit is that you’ll irritate your neighbors with your noisome engine running and the air compressor cycling off and on because it takes much longer to air up using your motorhome’s air compressor than it does a quieter less obtrusive stand alone compressor. The drawback to the electric air compressor is that it requires electricity to work, so you will need to run it off of shore power. Air compressors suck up good deal of electric current so you will need to use a heavy duty extension cord. If you’re out in the boonies most motorhome generators will power these units. However, the smaller portable generators like the Honda 2000 will not. 
I purchased this unit from COSTCO for $150.00 and I have seen a similar model at Sears. A portable unit like this is useful in many ways including blowing out dust from your water heater, refrigerator chimney and external heater orifice. They also come in handy for powering pneumatic staplers, nailers, grinders, wrenches, buffers, drills and many other pneumatic tools. Compressed air has many uses and having access to a unit like this makes RV maintenance more convenient. Helping you blow off some compressed air - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing
posted by Jim Twamley at
11/07/2007 04:28:00 PM
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