Powered Air

[MilesAway]

I would like to get a compressor to top up my tires. Looking for something that is small enough to carry on board for emergencies and robust enough for more frequent use. Leaning towards an electrical version - scared of running out of co2 and don't feel like working a hand pump. So I'm looking for something that can be adapted to run off the accessories plug.

For bonus points it would fit in the space just ahead of the sandle and under the tank of my R1150R. Also interested if anyone's had any experience wiring one of these in and just leaving inside the vacant ABS module space?


I've found the following three - Anyone familiar with these? Other suggestions?

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/12-Volt-Air-Compressor-p-16805.html

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/12V-100psi-Compressor-p-16804.html

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Cycle-Pump-Air-Compressor-p-16802.html

Thanks

[arkline]

Your third item:

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Cycle-Pump-Air-Compressor-p-16802.html

is the one I've got on board every time I go out. Made by a local company. And bulletproof.

[MilesAway]

Thanks Ron,

Do you know if it fits in the space under the tank ahead of the saddle?

[jamming]

Here's what I did:
Went to local autoparts store or Wallmart,Target...etc..bought one of the little compressors in the plastic case for about 8 bucks on sale. Took it home and TOOK IT APART!!!!!!!
All I'm intrested in is the compressor part and hose, Shortened the electrical line to reach from the BMW female acc. socket to BOTH tires while mounted on bike, cut off the plug that plugs into the cigar lighter and soldered on a John Deere MALE accessory plug I got from the John Deere Tractor Dealer down the road from my house for 3.25$.(its good to live in the country)
Its small, compact and WILL air up both tires in a couple of min. HOWEVER, the little bad boy gets HOT, and takes a couple of min, to cool. I left one on the side of the road last summer after plugging a tire. Picked it up on the way home from work.
I had mine stashed under the rear part of the tank on my R in a piece of old dirt bike tire. I keep it in the right bag on the ST,in a little stuff sack with tire plugs. Its inexpenisve, small, and if I loose it no big deal, but it works. I can't take credit for the idea, I found it on a BMW web site, AdvRider I think.
PS, I did do a controlled test in the garage BEFORE I trusted it to rescue me.
Roger

[MilesAway]

Jamming,

That's a great idea. First I hear of using JD plugs though - do they fit the BMW socket or do you still have to get an adapter?

[jamming]

Standard John deere male pin fits perferctly...old BMW trick...what can I say, I'm old :eusa_drool: and cheap...
Roger

[arkline]

Miles,

I leave my cases on all the time. The left case has all the stuff that might come in handy. I'm pretty sure that the compressor would fit under the seat just on top of the fuse box. Jamming's solution works pretty well too.I've seen pictorial instructions on how to rod your own somewhere on the Web.

[Bones]

Anyone know if it would work with the current R1200 series bikes and their complex CANBUS system that has a computer that doesn't want to recognize all kinds of stuff?

Jeff

[jamming]

Jeff, that's an issue for sure, My ST has an accessory port and it does work with my compressor. I want to add an extra brake light and have to be careful that it will work and not cause the computer to give an error message.
The way around that is to add a terminal block straight from the battery and run the power for radios, GPS etc from that to the relays for the accessory. One problem is for the lights you can't use an autoswitch, or so I've been told. The CANBUS is great, but a pain also.
Roger

[Acacia]

I have had the same setup as Jamming for about 2 years now. I think it is just too big (even stripped down) to go under the seat of a 50R if other tools are kept there.

I did not take the little fan off the end - mistake! The only time I had a flat and had to really use it (except to top off) about 3 weeks ago, my index finger touched the fan - and it bit me! Had two leaks to fix then!

I plug it into the pigtail from the accessory port - which accepts a cigarette lighter outlet. This pig tail goes to my tank bag that I can power my jacket, battery charger for camera, radar and whatever.

[Deans BMW]

Roger, on my ST I have a fused pigtail directly connected to my battery, this is what I plug my Gerbings into, my Battery Tender Jr. when not riding and any other things that I may need like a cell phone charger.

[MilesAway]

Is the accessory socket powered when the bike isi off?

[Deans BMW]

On the R1150R/GS bikes, the answer is yes. On the new R1200 series with the canbus system, a little more complicated, yes for about 15 seconds after turning the key off, if an approiate load is detcted during this 15 sec then the outlet stays on, if not it is switched off and stays off until the key is turned on and the computer boots up.

[MilesAway]

thanks Dean.

[Dallara]

I use an Airman "Sparrow" (can't remember where I got it...) that has a trick plug on it that works in both standard cigarette lighter sockets *AND* BMW/Powerlet sockets. Can't get it under the seat, but I only take with me on trips where I have the bags on the bike. If I trailer out somewhere (like Big Bend last fall) and don't use the bags each day the Airman goes in my tank bag with a couple of differant style plug kits.

I don't worry with it close to home as I hope the BMW underseat kit will be enough to get me somewhere I can park the bike and get more air or a "recovery team" out to pick me up... :)

The "Sparrow" works great and I think is definitely worth the money (I think I paid $25 bucks or so for it...).

Hope this helps!

Allan (Dallara)

[boxermania]

I use item #2, is very compact and serves the purpose well. Bought it from A&S BMW for $18 + the adapter and I even got a free T-shirt. No problems so far........:020:

[MilesAway]

As I'm new to running stuff directly off the battery, I just want to make sure there is no issue using one of these compressors when the engine is off? Or do I have to start her up to not bleed too much juice.

Another related question, any of you guys have an idea how long you can leave the headlight on a fully charged bike without worrying about running it down - I like to run it when I'm setting up my tent but am always a little worried.

Thanks again,

Justin

[Deans BMW]

Justin, that is what a LED head lamp is for. I keep one of those 3 LED head lamps and a LED flash light in my tank bag so that plenty of light is always at the ready. I don't think that I would worry about running your air compressor off the bikes battery alone. I am ready for summer and a lot of M/C camping.

[MilesAway]

Thanks Dean,

The head lamps are great - my neighbour gave me a great but obvious idea: to use it while working on the bike. Can't believe I hadn't thought of it. Sure beats those stupid cage lamps I've been using.

Just bot the Airman Sparrow. Now I'm going to go down and see if I can't figure out a way of stowing it or at least figure out how much I have to hack it down for it to fit. Looks like there's a good deal of excess plastic.

Amazing how these little projects help get me out of the depression of rideless winter days!!!

[MilesAway]

got round to cutting the bottom off the blue Airman (aKa Sparrow) last night. With the minor adaptation it now fits perfectly in the gap with about 2mm to spare, it's like it was made to go there.

FYI it was C$16 at Canadian Tire - works out to about US$12 - about half what 'stich wants for it.

Thanks for all the tips guys.

[MilesAway]

follow on question -

Any of you know or can estimate how many amps the Airman Sparrow draws? I have a lead tied in direct to the battery (the one that came with my OptimateII charger) that I was planning on using to supply power to the compressor but it seems to have a 2amp fuse in it.

thanks,

Justin

[Deans BMW]

Don't know how many amps. Try it at home, install higher cap fuse if need be. On the pigtail from my battery I run a 15 amp fuse, enough to power my Gerbings Jaclet Liner and heated gloves, fuse will stil blow if a short developes, and carry spare fuses.

[MilesAway]

Dean/others,

As this is something i know nothing about...

I was a bit surprised when I saw that the charger cable only had a two amp fuse in it (if I'm reading the label correctly). Any ideas on why they would have chosen such a low rated fuse?

Is there no danger to just upping the amperage of the fuse? This is of particular concern given that I leave the charger on overnight & unsupervised.

The idea of fire breaking out under my gas tank is scaring me!

I've been thinking it might just be better to install the accessory plug and then run everything (charger, compressor, new stuff I don't have yet!) through that.

Thanks for your help.

[Deans BMW]

Mr Away, my Battery Tender Jr is always plugged in to my bike when the bike is at home, 24 hrs/day, 7 days/ week.....you get the idea. The Battery tender Jr only puts out appx 3/4 amp when chargeing its hardest so a 2 amp fuse would be plenty in that application. I removed the 2 amp fuse and installed a 15 amp fuse, works for me, no problems.

[MilesAway]

Thanks once again!