The reason for my hesitation was due to the increasing cost that gas stations were charging to inflate a tire, having to occasionally wait in line and the hassle of hauling my deflated tire(s)(after using a tire sealant or dealing with a slow leak) to a local gas station.
Out of all the reasons, the cost was my main concern. I considered the cost to be fair, but I hated that it was steadily increasing. I also hated to pay for a service that I knew was once free of charge. These and a combination of other reasons motivated me to find an alternative. I quickly decided that it was time to purchase a tire inflator.
A few weeks after I made that decision I purchased my first tire inflator. When I purchased it, I felt that it was a good choice. But after testing it I quickly determined that the purchase was a mistake. It had the advantages of being affordable and compact but it inflated my tires very slowly. It would always take ten minutes or longer to inflate one tire. But, despite its slow performance I continued to use it.
I continued to use it until it no longer worked. It took a little over a year(from the date I purchased it) for this to occur. I attempted to repair it but I was unsuccessful. It only needed a fuse but I could never find a match. I later decided to temporarily use a local gas station(if I needed to) until I could purchase another tire inflator.
After about a year or so of inflating my tires at local gas stations(on various occasions), I begin to research the latest tire inflators. In my research I found that there were many varieties available but, once I narrowed my search I begin saving for a new one. While in the process of saving and researching, I decided on the Slime Rechargeable Tire Inflator.
The Purchase
With my research complete and my money saved, I finally went out and purchased the Slime Rechargeable Tire Inflator. I decided on the Slime Rechargeable Tire Inflator because I wanted something better. After my research, I found that this was one of the best low-cost tire inflators.
Inside the box
Once I made my purchase I was curious to see what was included with this tire inflator. Inside the box along with the tire, inflator was a 6-foot 120-volt recharging adapter, a very brief (but informative) instruction manual, a 6-foot 12-volt recharging adapter, three miscellaneous adapters, and a spare fuse.
Features
After seeing what was inside the box, I was able to get a good look at the features. I noticed that it had a fairly compact size. It had a length of about ten inches and a height of about eight inches or so. Overall, the inflator felt solid.
On the front, I noticed battery indicator lights. They indicate to the user when it’s time to recharge. Below the battery indicator lights(to the left) was the 15 amp blade style fuse. This is the same type of fuse used in many automobiles. To the right of the fuse was a 120-volt input socket. Below the 120-volt input socket was the on/off switch. Below the on/off switch (to the left) was the 12-volt output socket, for powering 12-volt appliances and tools. To the right of the 12-volt output, socket was the on/off switch for the compressor. Below the compressors on/off switch was a storage compartment. The storage compartment contained(the items I mentioned earlier) the 120-volt adapter for recharging indoors, a 12-volt adapter for recharging while driving, three miscellaneous adapters for inflating rafts and other sports equipment, and a spare 15 amp blade style fuse.
On the top of the compressor near the handle was the air pressure gauge. The numbers were slightly small but, it did seem to accurately measure tire pressure.
Performance
Since I got my new tire inflator, I have been inflating tires on cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles. I haven’t been disappointed yet.
On the box, it mentioned that it will inflate standard tires in six minutes. I feel that this was a fairly accurate statement. I had a car that had not been driven for a while and one of the tires was completely flat. I was able to inflate that tire in less than six minutes.
The Slime rechargeable Tire Inflator is not as fast as a typical tire inflator found at many gas stations. But, It inflates tires in a very reasonable amount of time. I have never had to spend ten minutes on a tire like I did on my previous tire inflator. So far, I have never gone more than six minutes per tire with my Slime Rechargeable Tire Inflator. I am satisfied with the performance of this device.
Overall
I have had the Slime rechargeable tire inflator for about two years. So far, I haven’t had any problems with it. It still holds a charge and performs well. I think that this is a good tire inflator for those who want something better than the typical compact inflators that are out there.
This portable tire inflator from Slime performs well, is very affordable, and is worthy of ownership.
Update 2/29/2016:
I have relied on this tire inflator for a while and it has been very helpful to me. But, due to battery problems I have stopped using this tire inflator.
If you choose to purchase the Slime tire inflator you may or may not develop any problems with the battery. But, if you choose to avoid this tire inflator I have found an alternative.
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