When you buy something that really works well, it's always a rush of pleasure. This device is great.
When weather turned cold, we had two cars with low tires, and the hose on my previous compressor fell apart due to age and cold. I thought about just replacing the hose, but I didn't really like the older compressor very much anyway. After considerable investigation, I bought this device, worrying a little about the size and weight and the need to connect it directly to the battery.
However, my reservations are gone now. Once everything was hooked up carefully (since it was my first time to use an inflator trigger device, I was taking my time), it was a very fast. I increased the air pressure by two to four pounds on 8 tires so fast that I was a little disappointed the process was over. On the other hand, I have a communal parking situation and the neighbors don't like do-it-yourself vehicle repairs in the garage, so I was able to do the whole thing before anyone could drive buy and get annoyed.
Observations:
The 450P is a well-made attractive device in its chrome finish. The carrying bag is useful, but nothing special.
It is surprisingly quiet. I have owned six small tire inflator compressors and the noise level on this one was refreshingly quiet, with much less "rattle." This is also a plus for the neighbors.
The device itself is heavy--about 10 pounds. I keep it in its satchel in a plastic tub with jumper cables, gloves, first aid kit, extra fuses and miscellaneous small tools. It's not trivial to lift the device with one outstretched arm, in its carrying satchel with hose and inflator device, unless I bring the tub close. My spouse would not be able to use it easily.
The automatic cutoff was a little slower than I expected, but it definitely worked, and is a very nice feature. This is also good from a neighborly point of view.
The gauge goes to 160 pounds and this is not appropriate for normal passenger car tires, because it makes the divisions too small to accurately read pressures in the 30 to 40 pound range. 0-60 or 0-100 options would be a welcome upgrade on the built-in gauge. It is important to release the trigger before reading the pressure. I bought an auxiliary tire gauge, which I would have preferred not to need. I would have gladly paid extra for an optional well-calibrated gauge in the preferred range.
The quick connect is heavy duty and has a strong spring that might be a problem if you have arthritis. If the quick connect is not fully engaged, the pressure gauge goes up very high when the clamping lever is engaged--a quick sign that it's not completely on the valve stem.
The reinforced hose is a nice touch. The hose is long enough reach the rear tires of a Chevrolet Tahoe easily, but not quite all the way around to the farthest tire on my spouse's much smaller car.
While I don't really like having to raise the hood on my car to connect the compressor to the battery terminals, the alternative is much worse. After years of using them, I have come to the conclusion that a cigarette lighter power source is really inferior. The connections turn out to be unreliable, cutting off when I am attempting to air the tire, requiring multiple trips back to the connector. Even with acceptable amperage rating for my fuses, other compressors would occasionally blow a fuse on their second startup. This always made me wonder if the connector had come loose again or if the fuse was blown or if the compressor had overheated or died.
| Brand | VIAIR |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Tire Inflation |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Noise Level | 69 dB |
| Special Feature | 100% Duty Cycle |
| Included Components | 3 pcs Inflation Tips Kit, Presta Adapter, 30ft inside braided coil hose, Deluxe Dual Compartment Carry Bag, 160 PSI Tire Inflation Gun, 12V Portable Compressor |
| Item Weight | 13.05 Pounds |
| Maximum Power | 317 Watts |
| Capacity | 1.8 Cubic Feet |
| Color | Silver |
| Material | Rubber |
| Product Dimensions | 10.87"L x 5.8"W x 7.48"H |
| Style | Compressor |
| AC Adapter Current | 44 Amps |
| Air Flow Capacity | 3 Cubic Feet Per Minute |
| Model Name | 450P Automatic Portable Compressor Kit |
| Hose Length | 25 Feet |
| Manufacturer | Viair Corporation |
| Part Number | 45043 |
| Item Weight | 13.05 pounds |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | 450P |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Maximum Pressure | 150 Pound per Square Inch |
| Special Features | 100% Duty Cycle |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
