12 volt tire inflators

Yes. But to be safe you can just put the Prius in Ready and do it then.

 

Probably safe.
But I invested into one of those multi-use, Tire Inflation, Jump Start, Emergency Light, -Power Stations, that you can actually charge up at home on a wall plug.

Good for a lot of other potential situations, most notably potential jump starts for myself and friends, but also allows me to inflate the tires solely on the battery power of the unit itself, no worries about any connection to The Prius. Totally takes the minimal risk out of the equation.

I bought mine at Costco, and it's designed to be left plugged in when not in use. Which I like because then when I do need it for anything, it's ready.

 

I still prefer the old fashioned hand powered bicycle pump. A full size floor type, not the compact handheld type suitable for carrying while actually bicycling.

 

It takes me 10 strokes per 1 psi increase in air pressure though. It's not a high capacity floor pump, mainly for inflating skinny racing bike tires, not fat tired mountain bike tires.

I definitely wouldn't want to inflate a totally flat tire with my floor pump.

 

I've done a completely flat tire, after plug repairing it, with a manual bicycle pump. It's a bit of a workout, but not that bad. Really helps if it has a semi-accurate pressure gage, so you know when you're in the neighbourhood.

 

Mine takes 7 strokes per 1 psi, for the Prius and several previous cars. (The new Subaru needs more.)
My 12V air pump takes 15 seconds per 1 psi.

The hand pump is much faster.

 

I had one of those 12 volt pumps, and I believe it drew between 6 and 8 amps. The Prius OEM batteries are I think at least 28 amp-hour rated, maybe higher (the Gen 1 "upgraded" one is rated 51). So in theory (healthy battery, full charge, etc.) you should be able to pump tires for three to four hours and still be able to start the car ... though as fuzzy1 observes, these things are really slow to pump tires. It doesn't really take anywhere near three hours, it only seems that way. And if you're running it only on the battery, it will start slow, and get slower ... and slower ... and slower.

But just as valde3 pointed out, there's a really good solution. Just put the car in READY first. The pump will run great (voltage in READY is around 14 instead of 12-and-change, and you can definitely notice the air pump is faster), the engine will start and stop as needed to maintain charge, and you won't be in any danger of depleting anything until the fuel runs out.

Assuming, of course, the pump will even run that long before it sprinkles bronze dust all over its insides and throws the rod.

-Chap

 

I just inflated my tires yesterday. My 12 volt pump requires 15 amps. It says to have the car running "Ready". I hook it up to the jumper connector under the hood because the power ports are only good to 10 amps.

So, yes, 12 volt pumps are OK to use with a Prius. It's best to have the car "Ready" so not to drain the battery too much, but a new battery should be fine if you don't want to be in Ready.

Cheers!

 

You know, as little as 2 years ago, I might of said "sarcastically" I'm getting too old for that.

Now I'm afraid I'm not even kidding. Manually pumping up my auto tires? Could result in a trip towards the light being beckoned on by smiling relatives that have since passed away.

For what is essentially a 65-75 dollar investment? Plus whatever electricity it takes to keep it charged, I'm going to enjoy the year 2015 and being able to let those marvelous electric contraptions do the work for me.

Plus if the power goes out? I've never been able to plug a table lamp into a bicycle pump...well not with much success.

 

Yeah, those Viairs seem to be in a different class from the usual "12v inflator" critters, and look a lot less likely to bronze-dust all over themselves in the first N hours. I'd been looking at them....

-Chap

 

At least you still have vivid imagination! Touching up the pressure in a car tire with a decent pump requires, at worst, roughly the same intensity and duration of exercise as walking maybe half a block at a moderate pace. Different muscles, of course.

 

Yup. Somewhere between 5 & 10 minutes, moderate effort, by no means flat out. My doc is saying I NEED aerobic exercise, too.

 

And yet flipping the switch on my Jump Start/Tire Inflation/ and back-up power supply is roughly the same intensity as....opening a Twinkie Package.

I've said it before. Anyone want to manually pump up their tires? More...or less power to ya!

But I don't really understand the nearly Gestapo like devotion to the concept. I'm personally NOT giving you any Eco Bonus points for NOT using a machine. Nor am I willing to fund the hour long infomercial for your exciting new "Exercise and Maintain Your Car!" exercise program.

IMO, if you include jump starts, and other applicable uses, mine is a better tool for the job, and other jobs that might arise. But if you are called by the Siren Song of Schwinn and the desire to break a sweat? Go for it!

 

When all you "youngsters" become old enough, you'll see the "light". Plus, my wive is not going to hand pump a tire at the mall when a tire is going low.

Do you hand pumpers carry your pump all the time in the back of the car?

 

I don't, but I've been meaning to: just gotta find a spot.

 

I have a nice battery powered multipurpose device, and live in fear of throwing my back out from bending down to use it

 

My regular bicycle pump is a little hard on the back, I have to watch it. Been think about getting s foot activated pump, saw some at Walmsrt. Need to research tho.

 

Really?

There's a necessary degree of interaction between physical reality and "us".
Listen, you guys want to inflate your tires using your lungs and a hefty breath....go right ahead. I don't really care. 12 volt, Multi-Purpose Inflator, hand pump, foot pump, bilge pump...pick em.

But come on, you're NOT going to sell me on any idea that pumping using a manual device is in any way easier.

If you live in "Fear" of using a tire inflator? I suspect your issue is has more to do with a needed chiropractor, and a manual pump would be just as problematic.

 

Nice "Emergency" kit. I need to put together something. Right now it's just my 12V pump, 2 pair of vise grips, and some rags.

I had one of those battery jumper boxes many years ago, but I hated taking it out to charge it and the battery failed about a year after I bought it. In the end, it wasn't worth the time and money to keep it ready to use.