Old Schrader tire inflator

[65Val]

Hey guys…I just received this old Schrader tire inflator from my Father-in-Laws estate. The pressure indicator gauge part isn’t working. There is no part number on the inflator at all. Has anyone ever seen one of these? I’ve Googled it and nothing.

 

[nadogail]

I have not seen one of those in years, thanks for the memory

 

[65Val]

I have not seen one of those in years, thanks for the memory

Any idea on repairing the gauge part? Won’t show tire pressure.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Probably possible but certainly not worth it. I think every fuel isle used to have one. If it is something you want, it should not be too hard to find one.

 

[bonneyman]

Never saw that style of inflator before. Could it be a specifically Canadian design?

 

[The Cobbler]

if you can get it apart , I would try to tap a threaded hole & replace with a gauge. It won't be period correct, but it will be functional .
there might be something behind the ****** to get the gauge apart

 

[RTM]

If the slider doesn't work, two options might be, either stuck down from WD40 type applications, or the leather disk at the bottom is shot.

 

[whateg01]

Those work just like the ones you hold on the valve stem. The gage should slide in and out easily. I would try some lube to get it moving but dry it out so it doesn't gum up

 

[65Val]

Never saw that style of inflator before. Could it be a specifically Canadian design?

Don’t think so… has “Schrader USA” in the casting.

 

[65Val]

If the slider doesn't work, two options might be, either stuck down from WD40 type applications, or the leather disk at the bottom is shot.

Thanks. I’ve had it all apart and cleaned it, but still no go. Where is this leather disk you mention? Didn’t see one while it was apart.

 

[65Val]

Probably possible but certainly not worth it. I think every fuel isle used to have one. If it is something you want, it should not be too hard to find one.

I can’t even find a picture of one.

 

[RTM]

Thanks. I’ve had it all apart and cleaned it, but still no go. Where is this leather disk you mention? Didn’t see one while it was apart.

What was at the bottom of the slider, against the air supply? Should have been something to seal the air in, against a spring I would assume. I'm assuming leather based on age, but could have been rubber, or maybe even a metal on metal seal.

 

[65Val]

What was at the bottom of the slider, against the air supply? Should have been something to seal the air in, against a spring I would assume. I'm assuming leather based on age, but could have been rubber, or maybe even a metal on metal seal.

Here’s a pic of it disassembled, if it helps any…

 

[The Cobbler]

it looks like o rings in there? they might be worn? is air by passing and leaking?
for giggles. I would try removing the chuck and put air pressure to the line & see what happens

 

[65Val]

it looks like o rings in there? they might be worn? is air by passing and leaking?
for giggles. I would try removing the chuck and put air pressure to the line & see what happens

Air comes out the supply fitting. Unit fills tires just fine…just doesn’t activate the gauge.

 

[The Cobbler]

What are you refering to as the supply fitting, the plug for the quick connect? I understand it doesn't activate . I think they usually register when you release the trigger . I'm just trying to help you methodically

 

[65Val]

Yes…The fitting where the air supply from the compressor comes into the unit.

I appreciate you helping me with this!!

Doesn’t make any difference if the trigger is pressed or not… still comes out the air supply (quick disconnect ) fitting.

 

[The Cobbler]

so it seems you have a few issues. the leaking inlet won't affect the gauge from working, or at least it shouldn't .
again I think those gauges react when the trigger is released , not as you're putting air into the tire .
it seems like the only plausible thing would be the rubber seals are leaking .

 

[65Val]

As I mentioned, it doesn’t matter if the trigger button is pushed or not, air exits from the supply fitting and gauge doesn’t move when air is applied to the rubber hose.

In the past, when the unit funtioned correctly, the gauge would only move when the trigger was released.

There are no leaks when filling a tire.

As I can’t even find a picture of one of these on the ‘net ,I have no idea where to get replacement parts.

 

[The Cobbler]

so air exits the tire chuck regardless if the trigger is pushed or not?

 

[65Val]

No. Button shuts off air as it should, when airring up a tire..

The Cobbler said:
it looks like o rings in there? they might be worn? is air by passing and leaking?
for giggles. I would try removing the chuck and put air pressure to the line & see what happens?


Re: the question above….If air is applied to the rubber discharge hose ( reverse of normal air flow), it exits the supply (quick disconnect) fitting, regardless if button is pushed or not.

 

[The Cobbler]

ok, got ya now.
so when you release the trigger, does air flow out of the tire thru the inlet?

 

[RTM]

The red circled bit far left is your seal. Not leather, so not as old as I imagined. That should seal air when the trigger is released, and the trappers air should push the slider up. Seems like copper tube should be part of the slider?

If the seal is good, you should be able to put it in the copper tube, and with your finger blocking the down side, you should feel vacuum pressure as you pull the slide up. Or just pushing it down should create a little bit of pressure against your finger. Still looking at pix.

If the valving caused by the trigger release is janky, I have no clue yet.

 

[The Cobbler]

I keep looking at the trigger assy, wondering how it works?

 

[65Val]

ok, got ya now.
so when you release the trigger, does air flow out of the tire thru the inlet?

Yes, without compressor air hooked up, whether button is pushed or not.

 

[The Cobbler]

ok, is it possible the trigger assy is put together backwards?
will the brass rod fit inside where the coupler plug is, pointed the other way , with the spring behind it, captured by the coupler plug . then if the other end protrudes thru the front , the red push knob pushes that to open the air?

 

[RTM]

ok, is it possible the trigger assy is put together backwards?
will the brass rod fit inside where the coupler plug is, pointed the other way , with the spring behind it, captured by the coupler plug . then if the other end protrudes thru the front , the red push knob pushes that to open the air?

I also have questions about the huge spring or springs on the slider. Looks like kludge, did someone put two springs in to replace an old one, and put way too much spring in? Can you pull the slider up with your fingers against the springs?

 

[The Cobbler]

I was looking at that long spring too, wondering what it's purpose is. I never recall a type of gauge like that with spring load on them, they always seem to be friction , and you have to push them back in , don't you?

 

[65Val]

To answer the spring questions, it was in there when I got the inflator, so I dont know if it belongs there or not. The slider did retract by itself when it WAS working.

Re: installing the trigger backwards… no, the large diameter end is too big to fit in the inlet valve assembly to open it.

 

[65Val]

I keep looking at the trigger assy, wondering how it works?

The small end of the brass piece goes into the top of the valve assembly. Air pressure holds the valve closed, and, when the button is pushed, opens the valve and lets the air travel through the rubber hose, and to the tire.

 

[RTM]

I was looking at that long spring too, wondering what it's purpose is. I never recall a type of gauge like that with spring load on them, they always seem to be friction , and you have to push them back in , don't you?

I recall them retracting by themselves, after some delay, but I could be mistaken, haven’t use one of those for 40 years.

Seems you could pull them out to ensure it worked, and then it would retract by itself.

 

[MarkH]

Saw these at a service station I worked at in High School. They need to be connected to both a tire and an air supply to work correctly. You press the handle and air goes out. You drop the handle the air supply is cut off and the air in the tire pushes out the pressure indicator. It will retract slowly once the air is applied again or there is no air supply.

Look at the parts with that process in mind and see if something was not put together correctly before you got it. We had one person take one apart to oil it so with that put it together wrong and it did not work until someone took another apart and put it back correctly.

 

[65Val]

Thanks Mark. This is the only one if these I’ve ever seen. I did see it function when my late Father in Law used it years ago, so I know it did work at one time. I don’t know if it’s been apart before I got it. I was hoping someone on the site might have some experience with it. Not sure where to go from here.

 

[whateg01]

Most I've used, I recall the spring pushing the gage back in on its own after it was removed from the valve stem. Air pressure from the tire overcomes the spring to push the gage out.

As I recall, the internal passages are such that even the trigger is released, the supply is isolated and air can flow from the shraeder fitting to the gage. When you press the trigger, it directs air from supply side to the hose.

 

[65Val]

Most I've used, I recall the spring pushing the gage back in on its own after it was removed from the valve stem. Air pressure from the tire overcomes the spring to push the gage out.

As I recall, the internal passages are such that even the trigger is released, the supply is isolated and air can flow from the shraeder fitting to the gage. When you press the trigger, it directs air from supply side to the hose.

Exactly as I remember. My problem is the slider/gauge isn’t moving to show the tires’ pressure. It will air-up a tire just fine.

 

[whateg01]

Exactly as I remember. My problem is the slider/gauge isn’t moving to show the tires’ pressure. It will air-up a tire just fine.

I would verify the passages inside are all clean and clear.

 

[65Val]

I would verify the passages inside are all clean and clear.

I have done that… all clear. I’ve run tiny wire through all the passages.

 

[bonneyman]

Looks like a nicely crafted unit.

I had an older brass Schrader tire pressure gauge, and the PSI indicator was sticky, too. Never found out why.

 

[65Val]

Looks like a nicely crafted unit.

I had an older brass Schrader tire pressure gauge, and the PSI indicator was sticky, too. Never found out why.

It’s not sticky… I’ve cleaned it thoroughly.

 

[whateg01]

It’s not sticky… I’ve cleaned it thoroughly.

If you don't insert the gage part, does air come out the opening vacated by it when you hold it on the valve stem of an inflated tire?