Has anyone really used a 12V pump to fill tire?

[Nikola M3]

Most IC cars have a 15 amp fuse, = 180 watts, yes the pumps will work there.
The model 3 is the issue it is only a 12 amp fuse. Based on all the replies nobody has really tried a pump for anything other than a quick test to see if it runs in a model 3.
I suggest you let half of the air out of a tire then try your pump while at someplace you have another air source before getting stranded on the road.

 

[Raechris]

Just used this to pump four tires from 40-47psi - no problems ever. Amazon choice produce $25

EPAuto 12V DC Auto Portable Air Compressor Pump, Preset Digital Tire Inflator by 100 PSI for Compact/Midsize Sedan SUV

 

[Evoforce]

My question is, did your twelve volt socket just time out because you weren't in the drivers seat?

 

[Nikola M3]

My question is, did your twelve volt socket just time out because you weren't in the drivers seat?

The socket is not tied to the drivers seat, it is tied to the doors. Open either door and the socket is live, close the door and it goes off.

 

[Evoforce]

The socket is not tied to the drivers seat, it is tied to the doors. Open either door and the socket is live, close the door and it goes off.

So the question would still be... Did the car time out somehow and if you closed and reopened the door, would you have been able to continue with your pump?

 

[wwu123]

I use a $20 Ryobi 18V battery powered inflator. The 18V batteries are separate but I already had some of their cordless tools and batteries anyway.

I have a small leak in one of my year-old Model S tires that I've not been able to pinpoint, lose about 2 PSI every few days. So I need to top off the pressure with the pump which takes about two minutes twice a week.

It doesn't use much of the battery, I haven't really needed to recharge the 18V battery even after a month of this.

 

[Nikola M3]

Yes I used two differing types of pump for regular plug into lighter inflation. Never any issue.

I carry both the Tesla Pump with the fixaflat (slime) Still sealed and a regular one I use all the time.
Yes, plugs and reamer
Yes, aluminum racing floor jack
Yes, my own version of jacking spacer
Yes, torque wrench and socket
Yes, to ready to dial the 800 number in case all this fails.

I believe you have a Model S, correct?
The S is fused different than the 3.

 

[barjohn]

I have used this one on my 3 using the car's cigarette lighter with no problems. https://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-84P-Po...UTF8&qid=1536424629&sr=1-1&keywords=viair+84p

 

[SgtTortuga]

I bought the ViAir 88P from Amazon. It connects directly to the 12 volt battery which is under a plastic panel in the frunk. I tested it by deflating one of the tires to 20psi and then re-inflating it.

http://a.co/d/j3dDfa6

 

[Nikola M3]

After a lot of research I ended up buying this one;
12V 100 PSI High Volume Air Compressor
$29.99 plus tax. With the 20% coupon they have all the time it was $25.91 out the door.

I ran 2 identical tests. Model 3 front and rear tires on the ground with 20 psi to start, ambient temp 90 f.
The pump ran 3:47 / 3:51 to bring the tire to 44 psi. The pump was 147 / 150 f at the end. After 10 minutes off the pump was 115 degrees.

The pump ran very smooth and never moved on the garage floor. The noise level was not terribly loud, my previous pump was much louder and not sounded like it was trying to self destruct.

I did an amp test and it draws 6 - 9.5 amps depending on the pressure it is making. Surprisingly 40 - 50 lbs was the highest amps.

The gauge was reading 2 lbs over.

Through these tests the cigarette lighter never shut down.

 

[C141medic]

The socket is not tied to the drivers seat, it is tied to the doors. Open either door and the socket is live, close the door and it goes off.

Apologies for the off topic question but the 12V cigarette lighter socket in the M3 turns off once the doors close? I was thinking of plugging in a dashcam battery there for constant charging.

 

[Nikola M3]

Yes it does not turn off when the last door closes.

 

[Kalex]

I have the electric scissors jack, Gooloo 1000A jump starter, Vair 88 compressor.
The Gooloo powers the compressor and the jack. Don't have to worry about using the Tesla's 12 V outlet and blowing the fuse.
Cheap enough from Amazon, I have the set in all my 3 Tesla's.
Plus, Stop and Go 1075 tire plug kit.
Peace of mind.

 

[barjohn]

My view is that if I get a small leak, like a nail or screw, the pump will let me inflate the tire enough to drive to a service station (even if it takes more than one time inflating the tire). If it is a blow out, nothing but calling for Tesla service is going to fix the tire, especially a side wall blow out. If you fill the tire with goop to stop the leak, many service centers will not repair the tire so no real advantage to using goop. Knock on wood but I did a 3500 mile road trip this summer and no problems.

 

[xpitxbullx]

Failproof backup.

 

[Glamisduner]

how hard is it to connect a compressor directly to the battery? I was planning to buy a viair compressor and the ones that directly hook to the battery fill faster and do not have 12v plug limitations.

 

[kaffine]

View attachment 333571

Failproof backup.

Not sure if the power source for that would be able to inflate the tire before running out of power. At least on my car

 

[SageBrush]

I top off my tires with a manual bicycle pump.

Same here, although pumping up a deflated tyre would be a chore so I keep both a 12v and bicycle pump in the car.

OP: do you expect to remove the tyre from the car for the repair ?

 

[SageBrush]

how hard is it to connect a compressor directly to the battery?

Trivial, but you do have to remove a plastic liner in the frunk to get to it. Have a tool handy to remove plastic rivets. I presume the wire is long enough to reach any tyre position ?

 

[SageBrush]

I did an amp test and it draws 6 - 9.5 amps depending on the pressure it is making. Surprisingly 40 - 50 lbs was the highest amps.

Through these tests the cigarette lighter never shut down.

I take this all to mean that your old pump was the problem.