Albertslad Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 Some years ago I bought a RING RAC900 tyre inflator. All was well, but at that time I had a 12v battery “spare” . My leisure battery is not that accessible, so this worked well. At home, in the drive, but not on the move. I’m now finding that I need either a small but powerful 12volt battery, or maybe a mains transformer that I can use at home or on the move. Electrics are not in my comfort zone, so advice is sought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weldted Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 Tyre inflators are normally run from the engine battery? Maybe you could extend the lead and plug it into the cigarette lighter socket on the dash. It is also a good idea to run the engine when using one as it is quite a load on the battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 A Ring RAC900 comes with crocodile clips as the current required is too great for any cigarette lighter socket. The quickest way to connect on your Ducato is open the bonnet and connect it to the jump start terminals and only use it with the engine running. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 weldted - 2021-09-22 9:08 AM It is also a good idea to run the engine when using one as it is quite a load on the battery. and running the engine raises the voltage and blows the tyre up faster :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolyan Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Albertslad - 2021-09-22 9:01 AM Some years ago I bought a RING RAC900 tyre inflator. All was well, but at that time I had a 12v battery “spare” . My leisure battery is not that accessible, so this worked well. At home, in the drive, but not on the move. I’m now finding that I need either a small but powerful 12volt battery, or maybe a mains transformer that I can use at home or on the move. Electrics are not in my comfort zone, so advice is sought. I have the Ring RAC900 tyre inflator. I use it off the engine battery, by lifting the bonnet and connecting the clips to the jump start points. Works perfectly every time, it’s a great piece of kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboyprowler Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Hard wire a lead and in-line socket and plug directly off the battery. You can then plug in your Ring whenever you need it or use other 12v accessories in that socket. Something like this Link to ScrewFix (Link shortened to correct page width error - Keithl) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocsid Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 flyboyprowler - 2021-09-23 11:53 PM Hard wire a lead and in-line socket and plug directly off the battery. You can then plug in your Ring whenever you need it or use other 12v accessories in that socket. Something like this Link to ScrewFix Unfortunately, the Screwfix master plug is as stated a 10A rated item, whereas the Ring RAC 900 the OP has is rated at 30 Amps, massively higher. The underlying concept is good advice, but I would use a pair of Anderson, standard grey SB50 connectors, and include an adequately rated fuse close to the positive battery pole. https://uk.farnell.com/anderson-power-products/992/plug-socket-connector-housing/dp/1654418 Edit: on further consideration I would buy three Andersons so I could also mount them in the Ring's lead, close to the clips, thus be able to retain the Ring as a clip on connected device, and use it with the clips temporarily unplugged directly to the Anderson mounted in the MH. So not screw up the Ring's inherent flexibility for use elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartO Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 Those of us who need to inflate motorhome tyres from zero pressure (eg DIY tyre changes) must be as rare as hen’s teeth in UK so the practical requirement for most of us will be to top up pressures by a few psi if we cannot conveniently drive to a forecourt facility. So although I carry a 12v inflator I have never used it in 20+ years. But I have used the compressor built into a jumpstart pack on car and trailer tyres at home occasionally and for modest top-ups that is useful - but it’s not worth carrying its weight in the motorhome. I suggest that apart from the brave motorhomers who undertake adventurous touring in third world countries, carrying your own tyre inflation machinery is not really necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 If you are relying on a canister of gunk instead of a spare wheel you might need an inflator to keep the tyre topped up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simian Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 If you happen to travel regularly for lengthy periods, particularly overseas, as I do, then carrying some tyre inflation device is definitely to be recommended IMO. Surprising the number of times my tyre(s) have needed a top up due to temperature pressure loss, minute leakage, slow puncture evident after a 2,3, or 4,week campup. The nearest forecourt pump may be miles away, and bound to be in the wrong direction and only putting out 2 Bar car pressures, or U/S at times. I searched out the highest Wattage 12v pump supplied with a cig. lighter plug ended up with the RING RTC 1000. Rated at 15A. Very compact. It will occasionally blow a 10A fuse if say inflating from flat! I have an external permanent 12v socket wired directly to the leisure batteries to use in extremis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocsid Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 I don't carry our Ring RAC900 about, that lives at home but I do carry a good quality cycle track pump, needed for the bikes and that rated at 160 psi is excellent to add the odd few psi to a vehicle tyre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 Ocsid - 2021-09-24 2:13 PM I don't carry our Ring RAC900 about, that lives at home but I do carry a good quality cycle track pump, needed for the bikes and that rated at 160 psi is excellent to add the odd few psi to a vehicle tyre. Rather you than me if the van tyre were flat!! Plug in 12v for me everytime - just watch and wait - no puff required!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocsid Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 Tracker - 2021-09-24 5:00 PM Ocsid - 2021-09-24 2:13 PM I don't carry our Ring RAC900 about, that lives at home but I do carry a good quality cycle track pump, needed for the bikes and that rated at 160 psi is excellent to add the odd few psi to a vehicle tyre. Rather you than me if the van tyre were flat!! Plug in 12v for me everytime - just watch and wait - no puff required!! That is why I very specifically said " add the odd few psi.". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted September 25, 2021 Share Posted September 25, 2021 The Ring RAC900 tyre-pump was reviewed in this 2015 Practical Caravan link https://www.practicalcaravan.com/reviews/ring-rac900 The 2.4m length of the battery connection cables, plus the 7-metre (extended) length of the air-line, should allow any of wheels of most motorhomes to be reached if (as Keithl has mentioned above) the pump is connected to a Ducato’s engine-compartment ‘jump start’ points. As I’ve said here in the past, I have a T-Max pump that’s conceptually similar to the RAC900. When used at home I power it from a ‘slave’ 12V battery (because this is convenient and I have a couple of spare batteries) and I store the pump in a handy niche under my motorhome’s bed. If I had to use the pump away from home I’d either power it from the jump-start points or from the leisure battery that’s reasonably accessible in the Rapido’s rear garage. I can’t see any persuasive reason not to carry the pump in the motorhome because, if I needed to use the pump when travelling, it would not be to make minor adjustments to tyre pressures and - as I don’t have/carry bicycles - a bike track-pump would have no obvious value for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted September 25, 2021 Share Posted September 25, 2021 Keithl - 2021-09-22 9:16 AM A Ring RAC900 comes with crocodile clips as the current required is too great for any cigarette lighter socket. The quickest way to connect on your Ducato is open the bonnet and connect it to the jump start terminals and only use it with the engine running. Keith. And this is what we do on our xlwb x250, usually working together, me watching the gauge and gf working the power switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albertslad Posted September 26, 2021 Author Share Posted September 26, 2021 Derek Uzzell - 2021-09-25 9:35 AM As I’ve said here in the past, I have a T-Max pump that’s conceptually similar to the RAC900. When used at home I power it from a ‘slave’ 12V battery (because this is convenient and I have a couple of spare batteries) and I store the pump in a handy niche under my motorhome’s bed. If I had to use the pump away from home I’d either power it from the jump-start points or from the leisure battery . So my “slave battery “ option is not unreasonable, but has payload issues, if you have payload issues with your van. The jump-start option I’ll seriously investigate; now where’s the handbooks?, Thanks to all for the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted September 26, 2021 Share Posted September 26, 2021 Your Ducato handbook’s index should have an entry “Emergency situation” or “In an emergency”. The relevant ‘jump starting’ section should be somewhere around Pages 165-170 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolyan Posted September 26, 2021 Share Posted September 26, 2021 Albertslad - 2021-09-26 9:01 AM Derek Uzzell - 2021-09-25 9:35 AM As I’ve said here in the past, I have a T-Max pump that’s conceptually similar to the RAC900. When used at home I power it from a ‘slave’ 12V battery (because this is convenient and I have a couple of spare batteries) and I store the pump in a handy niche under my motorhome’s bed. If I had to use the pump away from home I’d either power it from the jump-start points or from the leisure battery . So my “slave battery “ option is not unreasonable, but has payload issues, if you have payload issues with your van. The jump-start option I’ll seriously investigate; now where’s the handbooks?, Thanks to all for the advice. The jump start points are really easy to find. Then just fix the crocodile clips on them. This thread should help you spot them, with a diagram https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Jump-Start/54812/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesseo 490 Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Hi so which inflator do you use and plug into cig lighter socket? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 It depends on the amperage of the dashboard socket, and the pressure you want to inflate the tyres to and how long you want the task to take. Dashboard sockets tend to have a maximum design limit of no higher than 15A (and often less than that). A tyre pump that draws 10A-15A will happily inflate a smallish volume car tyre to (say) 35psi, but will stagger or die when faced with the type of large volume tyre normally fitted to motorhomes and an inflation pressure of 60-80psi. This 2021 review may be of interest, but you'd need to check the amperage of each pump and what amperage your dashboard socket can handle. https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product-group-tests/353933/best-12v-compressors-2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simian Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 I've managed to inflate m/home tyres to 5 Bars plus, sometimes from flat with quite small 12v inflators by limiting the process to short stages, letting the pump and power cable cool off. Admittedly you've got to have patience, but when needs dictate.... Holding the cable gives a good indication of heat build up. Having some spare fuses handy may be necessary,! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 This RING-branded pump is said to draw only 15A and comes with a dashboard plug https://www.ringautomotive.com/en/product/RAC830 However, the asking-price ain't cheap (£65) and I'd question whether the ability to use a dashboard socket justifies this when a T-MAX 'battery connect' pump can be obtained for a similar cost. https://www.jgs4x4.co.uk/t-max-12v-air-compressor-small-portable-heavy-duty-tyre-inflator-car-truck-4x4/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrK7k-NGJ9gIVw-7tCh0GUgETEAQYBCABEgKKd_D_BwE (Incidentally, both pumps have a screw-on tyre-valve connector that can be infuriating to use.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Derek Uzzell - 2022-02-18 4:22 PM ...(Incidentally, both pumps have a screw-on tyre-valve connector that can be infuriating to use.) The quickest and simplest way round the screw on connector is to add a 'Valve access tool' from Halfords. https://www.halfords.com/motoring/motorcycling/motorcycle-accessories/oxford-valve-access-tool-461062.html This converts the connector to the more common lever type in a flash. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 A couple of earlier forum threads that included mention of the Halfords 'valve access tool' https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/12v-van-tyre-pump-recomendations-please-/49906/ https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Tyre-valve-extension/50787/ The Halfords product is OK, but the lever-operated connector is crudely made and far from sturdy - I accidentally stood on mine and the connector and hose parted company. I replaced it with one of these https://www.oxfordproducts.com/motorcycle/brands/oxford/tyre_and_wheel_care/valve_access_tool/ The connector end is better engineered, but probably not much more 'shoe resistant'. (In fact, I managed to repair the Halfords tool using a short metal tube and epoxy glue. Experimentation proved that the repaired tool would withstand a 90psi inflation pressure, though I didn't check if it would tolerate being stood on.) This clip-on connector MIGHT be an alternative. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304228398509 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Derek Uzzell - 2022-02-18 6:46 PM I replaced it with one of these https://www.oxfordproducts.com/motorcycle/brands/oxford/tyre_and_wheel_care/valve_access_tool/ Derek, Halfords now sell the Oxford product and not their own brand! See my link above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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