i have been using a slime tire inflator #70005. the manufacturer only stated it needs a 15 amp fuse ,12 volt system .the unit draws 180 watts. my 2013 rdx auxilliary receptacle only states 12 volt 120 watts.

i have the 15 amp fuse ,and the 15 amp fuse has been handling the 180 watt inflator ,despite the info from acura at the receptacle stating 120 watt which i assume meant max watts.

that inflator crapped out. im considering replacing it with a slime model #40022 which is amazons best seller. that model requires 12 volt ,15 amp fuse, but its wattage is higher at 280. my old model was 120 watt. so id be more then doubling the wattage.....i dont understand if i need to be concerned with fuse size, or with fuse size and wattage.......any help?

 

Hey Joe, just get something like this and you can connect directly to your battery for the few times you use the tire inflator.

 

That is cool. Can't beat that price for a few dollars.

 

thanks for the suggestion..... the alligator clip is something to consider. but this is my wifes vehicle and although it has easy access to the battery, i have a bmw with a buried battery. a plug in type would be more convienant. ecspecially since i keep one in the trunk of each car. if she is out without me and needs to add some air to a tire, she would have a much easier time just plugging into the auxiliary receptacle....i also noticed a typo error in the last paragraph from original post. my old unit was 180 watt not 120.

 

Does the BMW have run-flat tires? If they don't have a spare, they usually have the can that inflates the tires in a pinch. The other thing to check out is, under the hood of the BMW (and other cars that have remote batteries) there may be a brass terminal that goes right to the battery (used for jumper cables). It may be covered with a red plastic cover.

 

Joe - no double an external inflator is a good thing to have, but just curious as two why you feel the need to have one dedicated to each of you cars? Are you loosing air that frequently? Something else going on?

 

the bmw came with run flats...good year ls2 245 40 19. they were prone to sidewall bubbles ,and were always on back order. good year eventually switched them out for me with traditional tires. the car drives much better,and the tires cost a lot less then run flats. car came with no jack or spare,so i carry a slime inflator and sealant kit in the trunk.

i have an inflator and tire guage in each car. sometimes we take her acura sometimes we take my bmw. i only use the inflator to keep psi at recommended level. or if i get a puncture with a slow leak il fill it up just to drive to tire center for a patch.