This may not belong here, but it's sort of mechanical in nature, so....

I recently gave up my car and bought a bike. I've been having a run of bad luck finding a halfway decent manual pump, but just as I was about to shell out my money once more, I remembered that I still have a 12-volt power inflator, one of those compressor pumps that plugs into your car's dashboard lighter. This would be a perfect solution -- except I no longer have a car! So is there some converter or adaptor I can buy that will allow me to power this kind of device from the wall outlet instead?

Yeah, you need a 12 volt power supply. Check out radio shack.

Better check the current draw. A small 12V "battery eliminator" probably won't provide enough current.

I used an automotive battery charger for mine.

Use the charger and charge an auto battery, then hook up your thing to the battery..


NB, buying a proper floor pump is so much better..
and get a second pump to have on the bike..

Depending on the tire and its appropriate inflation pressure and depending on the "12-volt power inflator," you may find that you will not get enough pressure by this method to adequately inflate the tire. Car tires typically need less than 40 pounds and bike tires almost always want more than that.

A decent floor pump can be had for $50 or so and will last a long time, probably more than 10 years, although you might have to replace or at least lubricate the rubber ring at the end of the piston. Also, you are going to need a pump to carry with you if your bike is to act as a substitute for a car. Not a floor pump, but apparently something you don't have now.

You don't say what your "run of bad luck" has been specifically but a decent LBS will recommend a pump and probably even allow you to exchange it for a different model if you can articulate a reason that was not obvious when you tried it out in the shop at the time of the initial purchase. Something as simple as Planet Bike should do the job. There are few things that are easier to buy in a bike shop than a decent pump. I do realize not everyone has a decent bike shop close-by.

"Also, you are going to need a pump to carry with you"

Topeak Road Morph G is my choice. You can get additional frame brackets when you get a second (third, etc.) bike.

Their Air Hammer Classic is my old faithful floor pump. It has a a 2-way Schrader/Presta head and came with an adapter for a (I think) Dunlop or Woods valve. It has an accurate gauge and the hose is long enough to reach a bike on my stand with the pump on the floor.

I'll second the road morph....Probably cost the same as you would spend to enable use of that 12 volt compressor and would be a lot quicker and easier.

When your budget allows, get yourself a good floor pump.

Might as well; just thought it was a waste of a compressor....I might be able to afford something like the Giant Control Tower 3 my LBS sells. Anybody out there own one of the Control Tower family?

Maybe it will fill an air tank like a regular air compressor.. blow crud, & stuff off

maybe even a needle nozzle to blow off stuck grips.

I use an old computer power supply to power mine.

+1
Most bicycle tires are high pressure - low volume. Car tires are relatively low pressure - high volume.
What size tires does your bicycle have and how much pressure is needed (psi)?
You really need a decent floor pump with built-in gauge.