Tire Inflator with Gauge – Low Pressure?

[ronj]

Seems like most of the time that I want to check/fill the air in one of my toys, I end up with a low-pressure tire gauge and a high-pressure inflator. Tractor is 16 and 28 psi, but are large tires. Yesterday I was trying to “accurately” get 10psi in the rear tires of the riding mower. Using a tire inflator whose reading starts out at 10psi makes this a frustrating trial and error experience.

Has anyone found a low-pressure inflator with gauge that goes only to 50 or 60psi?

RonJ

[linus69]

Don`t know if these are what you are looking for?

www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_kw=QuickCar+Racing+Tire+Inflator+With+Analog+60+PSI+Air+Pressure+Gauge+Relief+Valve

Paul

[ronj]

Paul,
Yes, that was what I had in mind. But for $70 dollars, I'll continue the way I have.
Those things must be made out of gold or perhaps there is only the one company that makes them and has no competition.

Thank you for your help,
RonJ

[Rich Waugh]

Ron,

Why not buy a cheap inflator with the normal 0-100 gauge and replace the gauge with one that reads up to just 30#? YOu should be able to get a 0-30 gauge for about ten bucks if look around.

I just use a standard tire chuck and low-pressure pencil gauge I bought at the lawnmower place for five bucks. 0-25 psi and it seems to be quite accurate.

[ronj]

Rich,
Thank you - I had not thought of that.
I have an existing inflator with 220psi dial gauge. Are you saying that I can simply replace that gauge with a 0-30psi? Do I need to make any adjustments to the pressure coming from the air compressor?
RonJ

[Rich Waugh]

Ron,

No, the gauge should be reading the pressure achieved, rather than the potential. Kinda like a hydraulic system - no reading until the pressure does something.

[bradblazer]

Replacing the gauge on the inflator will work BUT you want to use a regulator to keep the maximum pressure within the range of the gauge. It looks like the proof pressure of most gauges is 110-130% of the maximum reading. Above that the gauge can be damaged or at least lose calibration. Northern Tool sells gauges in a variety of pressure ranges starting at $6-7.

For ATV tires I usually just use my knee against the tire to judge inflation. They do make special gauges:

www.cabelas.com/product/Low-Pressure-ATV-Tire-Gauge/747081.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D%26No%3D0%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Datv%2Btire%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26WTz_st%3D%26WTz_stype%3DSP%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26recordsPerPage%3D20%26search%3Datv%2Btire%26searchTypeByFilter%3DAllProducts&Ntt=atv+tire&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

[ronj]

Brad,
Thank you for the response. I have low pressure gauges that I trust. I want to try to simplify the tire filling process with a low pressure gauge mounted on an inflator.
So if I use a 60psi max gauge and set my compressor to less than 120psi I should be OK?
RonJ

[bradblazer]

Sorry for this late response but I would recommend keeping the pressure regulated to within the range of the gauge i.e. if you are using a 60psi gauge regulate the pressure to 60psi or less.

[ronj]

Brad,
Thank you - I will do that since it sounds safer.
I am searching for the parts to put it together. I have a 60psi gauge with 1/4 NPT fitting. All of the inflators that I have looked at so far have metric threads. I considered reaming them out but am concerned about the remaining thickness being safe with pressure.
RonJ