12v Air compressors

[crofty]

just a quick question, when I use my 12v air man on my v strom during reinflation after a puncture I run the engine as I thought the 15amps or so draw could flatten the battery. an friend of mine with a greater knowledge of electrics than me says no need as the battery is powerful enough. any thoughts

[kwackboy]

Always run the bike while using a compressor.

[The Doctor 46]

Yes! Always run the engine and.... punch your mate in the face!   

[purplebikeunicorn]

I would always run the engine.

Although your battery can likely support using an inflator for 10 mins, unless it is fully charged and brand new, you're probably going to get close to squeaky bum territory.

Plus, the increased voltage supplied by the charging circuit will help the inflator inflate faster!

[crofty]

Thanks for the advice again. When I asked my friend why,  he said modern motorcycle/car electronic systems could detect the large draw from the battery and do funny things like put the bike/car into limp mode. they wouldn't be able to do this if the engine was switched off.

[Upt North]

Crofty.
It sounds like he believes there is something in a modern vehicle electrical system which will prevent further draw on the battery once an agreed lower level is reached and then there would be an indication the engine should be started or the vehicle recharged. I think he could well be right, with all the gizmos on modern motors it wouldn't surprise me at all.
But there won't be one on the STrom.
My new car constantly surprises me with its little messages...
Headlights Off.....
Leading vehicle moving off......
Consider taking a break......
Etc, I'm sure it knows the charging voltage and draw, the rest would be simple.
Upt.

[Upt North]

When I say simple, I mean simple for a Japanese electrical engineer and not an electrotrickery idiot. Like wot I am.

[Asmith61]

Yes! Always run the engine and.... punch your mate in the face!   

. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[crofty]

Quote removed

Like you Upt I think maybe these things might exist on high- tec motors but not on the V Strom, and as everyone judging by the comments does run the motor a problem would have been flagged up after such a long time

[baz-r]

some of these 12v compressors can draw a fair amount of current, well for a cigarette lighter socket anyway that on the modern car is rated to 10-15A so I would depend on the motor draw on said compressor.

I see you also have a DL250 this has a aux socket only rated to 3A (fuse under seat) and 120w idle 360w running

bikes don't have massive charge systems like cars do and the battery could well be providing part of the current required with the engine running. also smaller cc bikes don't have as high output regulators and only have smaller batteries

[graingerblaze]

I have one of these that lives on my bike and is a must when touring. It works great, can inflate flat tyres with ease and can charge up you phone as well 

Veeape battery air compressor.

https://amzn.eu/d/hfYVu9f

[Dirtbiker Martin]

I use the tiny gas bottles from Halfords the take up no room and 2 will blow up a rear tyre.
 You will find the in the bicycle section.
 

[purplebikeunicorn]

Yep, modern cars (normally any car with start stop) will have battery monitoring smarts, but the V-Strom definitely doesn't.

As for small inflators, there is an AA one which I bought recently that looks like it'd fit nicely in the rear of the bike where the charcoal canister is... I need to try it, and then maybe relocate the canister so I can actually fit it there!

[chris1200]

Mine was a cheap one from Aldi. Stripped it down and it fits under the seat, worked great. I now have an even smaller one I stripped down that I got free from a skip (just needed a new fuse) that works/fits better.