Tyre Inflator and Battery Charger Recommendations

Fred Smith · Post by **Fred Smith** » Mon Jan 13, 2025 3:51 pm

Is this the best sub-forum for this?

Tyre inflator... I am considering buying one to use at home (ie mains power, or dual power). I want a nice one and I ideally want it to come with an attachment that makes it easy to connect to a valve when the valve is set quite far back on the wheel with quite a small gap to reach through.

Battery charger... again, fairly good quality, does trickle charge etc.

DonDon · Post by **DonDon** » Mon Jan 13, 2025 4:51 pm

I am posting generic info for the benefit of any newbies that find this thread.

You can go with an inflator that runs off the car's 12V supply, or go with one of the rechargeable battery marques. I have gone down the Ryobi route and I am very happy with nearly all of their tools; the great advantage is that the batteries are interchangeable and if a battery dies, you don't have to bin the tool itself. If you like that idea, look at their range of tools first as your investment will lock you in to that brand.

Definitely get an inflator with a digital rreadout so you set the required pressure and it switches off when it is reached.

In terms of a battery charger, CTEK seems to be the most popular. Certainly on the E89, make sure you charge via the terminal in the engine bay, NOT directly onto the battery.

Bombur · Post by **Bombur** » Mon Jan 13, 2025 7:29 pm

+1 for CTEK. I have a MXS 5.0 connected in engine in my E89 and a MXS 3.8 connected via cigarette lighter connection on my Z3. For tyre Inflator I have a Ring RTC400 Digital Tyre Inflator. Does what I need. Use a halfords digital gauage separately as more accurate.

Nick W · Post by **Nick W** » Mon Jan 13, 2025 7:59 pm

We use an 18v Milwaukee pump which very good but if you're thinking of a small 240v compressor my opinion is anything under 3 hp and 150 litre tank is a waste of money so I'd stick with the battery ones. Ctek chargers are great, we have an MXS5 and MXS7, both are equally good but the 7 has a few more tricks up it's sleeve.

JakeS76 · Post by **JakeS76** » Mon Jan 13, 2025 10:45 pm

Absaar chargers are pretty decent too. Much better than the cheap ones on eBay and Amazon. If you're in the UK GSF car parts sell them - around £40 https://www.gsfcarparts.com/products/ab ... m2pP1gZGvQ

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:49 am

I've used the CTEK chargers for years, currently the MXS-5, generally pleased with them but I've had two chargers that have developed faults, maybe just unlucky. Mode button failed on one and the cable split open where it goes into the unit body on the other. They do come with a 5 year warranty though. They can run hot and be a little noisy when pulsing which is apparently normal.

I've heard the Ring chargers are fairly good, keep meaning to get one as much cheaper, less than half the cost of the CTEK.

https://www.driven2automotive.com/shop/ ... y-charger/

Useful info on the tyre inflators. I currently use a BMW inflator which has always been infuriating as the airline screws onto the valve and twists in the process so need to replace it.

Tim.

ARCS · Post by **ARCS** » Tue Jan 14, 2025 1:49 pm

+1 for the ctek, and I use this dewalt tyre inflator. It's the best one I've came across so far.

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Fred Smith · Post by **Fred Smith** » Tue Mar 04, 2025 11:45 am

Thanks for all of the replies... not least DonDon...

I wasn't in a hurry... but there's definitely a risk that I get accused of over-thinking... but on the other hand it makes sense to get things right, not least as I am also considering a polisher, maybe a small polisher, maybe even a buffer as well later on, a rotary multi-tool and maybe an oscillating one later on... and this thread has mentioned DeWalt and Ryobi and I'd love to consider the mid-term as well as short term when I decide what to buy.

Charger seems like the easy thing to decide... CTEK MXS 5.0 seems very decent, and a standalone purchase. I think I'm going to stick this on my "to buy" list, but not rush to buy immediately.

£490 will get me a DeWalt Polisher, DeWalt Inflator, charger and two batteries.

£335 will get me a similar Ryobi Inflator, and a polisher, and one battery. £434 will get me a second battery as well.

If it was a simple choice between those two options I'd probably spend the bit extra and get the better quality... the fly in the ointment is I'd quite like a few other bits and pieces (potentially including mini-chainsaw / pruner, hand-vacuum cleaner, rotary multi-tool) and I could go all-in on Ryobi and get everything mentioned on this post for under £700.

I think I'm leaning towards the £490 on DeWalt, plus £200 on a genuine dremmel with plenty of attachments, leave other things to the future.

Anyone who has an opinion is welcome to chime in!

Usel · Post by **Usel** » Tue Mar 04, 2025 12:33 pm

If you're thinking garden equipment as well as everything else then look at Makita as well.

Makita have a 36v range of garden tools but the advantage they have is that they are powered by 2 x 18v batteries so you don't have to buy a single 36v battery.

The 36v leaf is great, better than my Stihl petrol leaf blower, just doesn't last as long.

Makita batteries are expensive but the bare tools are reasonably priced.

Fred Smith · Post by **Fred Smith** » Tue Mar 04, 2025 12:37 pm

Usel wrote: Tue Mar 04, 2025 12:33 pm If you're thinking garden equipment as well as everything else then look at Makita as well.

Makita have a 36v range of garden tools but the advantage they have is that they are powered by 2 x 18v batteries so you don't have to buy a single 36v battery.

The 36v leaf is great, better than my Stihl petrol leaf blower, just doesn't last as long.

To be honest I am not really looking at garden tools particularly, but I had a nightmare trying to use a bow saw and a chain saw when trying to take 10 ft of height off of a bay tree, and I think a mini chain saw or pruning saw would be really handy (starting with neatening off the job I did a few months ago).

I've been thinking since I last posted and I am getting close to dropping £700 on Dewalt inflator and polisher and a decent dremmel kit

Usel · Post by **Usel** » Tue Mar 04, 2025 12:48 pm

Don't worry about a chainsaw, just get a pole saw. I have downed trees with a 20" trunk using a pole saw for the whole job.

Fred Smith · Post by **Fred Smith** » Tue Mar 04, 2025 1:00 pm

Usel wrote: Tue Mar 04, 2025 12:48 pm Don't worry about a chainsaw, just get a pole saw. I have downed trees with a 20" trunk using a pole saw for the whole job.

My dad was a landscape gardener, I have a fair few tools from him, and I have access to what he's kept if I want to borrow anything. My issue with this bay tree is how dense it is. To cut the multiple small trunks where I want to cut them I need to get about 6 ft off the ground on a small ladder and then work with very little space within the tree. Chain saw is too big and heavy and awkward to do a neat job where I want, and there is no space for my bow saw. I will see if I can borrow a much smaller bow saw from my dad before I buy anything. Maybe a pole saw could work too.

Anyway, no more gardening talk, that was a bit of a side issue - cars are my priority here!

coldel · Post by **coldel** » Tue Mar 04, 2025 3:12 pm

I noticed you are going on brand for a polisher, unless you are planning on running a business, given how often you will use the polisher I would definitely consider just going for a good brand, and a kit. You can go for something like a DAS-6 which in tests is brilliant and not overly expensive, you can get that plus a tonne of good pads and polishes in a kit for less than the money you are talking about.

Fred Smith · Post by **Fred Smith** » Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:24 pm

coldel wrote: Tue Mar 04, 2025 3:12 pm I noticed you are going on brand for a polisher, unless you are planning on running a business, given how often you will use the polisher I would definitely consider just going for a good brand, and a kit. You can go for something like a DAS-6 which in tests is brilliant and not overly expensive, you can get that plus a tonne of good pads and polishes in a kit for less than the money you are talking about.

If you saw the state of the three cars in my household you might worry that a Dewalt will be worn out before I get them all looking decent! OK, I exagerate.

You may well be right... but given the costs of DeWalt batteries and chargers I think that if I go for a DeWalt inflator I would be a bit mad not to go for the polisher in the same range... the flipside being if I go for a DAS-6 (Pro?) polisher then I feel I'm obliged to also go for a more budget charger.

Decisions decisions - thanks for the recommendation.

Fred Smith · Post by **Fred Smith** » Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:23 am

Best part of two months since I first posted and trigger pulled.

In the end I went with the DeWalt inflator and DAS-6 Pro polisher.

The CTEK MXS 5.0 is on my list, and the moment I next have a battery issue I will be ordering one... won't bother right now, not least as I have a cheap charger which I can use in an emergency.

Thanks to all who gave opinions!

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