Upgrade Cheapie Tire Inflator w/ Gauge

[pgtr]

I received one of those trigger type tire inflators with an analog gauge as a gift. While I appreciate the gift - it's a bit on the cheapie side. But even so I've grown to where I like it for inflating tires, seeing the pressure and even deflating a little - very handy.

The round analog gauge itself leaves a lot to be desired. The scale is much too large a scale - up to something like 150 or 200... too high scale to accurately read at street tire pressure levels (or easily read at my age w/o glasses) And it's not all that accurate compared to plunger style gauges or the build-in tire pressure readings on the dash.

I was thinking of simply unthreading the gauge and replacing it with a gauge that is say 0-60 and hopefully more accurate (or that I can readily calibrate)

Anybody done this? - thanks

Mine looks to be pretty much identical to this - just different colors:

Here's a 60PSI gauge for about $12 for example: (would need to check gauges)

 

[Zapp Branigan]

PSI is PSI. It'll only read what it's fed. Go for it. Some light truck tires are higher than that though, FYI.

 

[James-W]

I have one similar to the one you have and I rarely ever use it. I just use a regular inflator and an old fashioned stick type gauge. I have a digital gauge somewhere around here that a buddy gave to me, but I have no idea where it is.

 

[like2wheel]

Check that cheapie & make sure the gauge actually uses a pipe thread.
Some are something smaller than 1/8 npt.

 

[engineer2]

Mechanical gauges are most accurate around mid-range. That cheapie might be 2 psi either way. You get what you pay for. You might consider something with a 3 or 4" dial for easier readability, or go digital.

 

[cgrutt]

Toss it and buy a Milton. Thank me later lol. Seriously.

 

[Snakebyt]

I finally broke down and bought a digital one, but i also use it on a daily basis.

here is the one i have now
https://store.snapon.com/Inflators-Digital-Inflator-with-Coated-Hose-P892712.aspx


exact same thing, a third the price
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...19rUVgaBaShQJsb5bA4JkcPuUNA4k1OoaAl8pEALw_wcB



just throwing that out as an option, not sure what a good analog dial will cost ya.


here are a couple more options
$25
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Freeman...k-GSX9kOPAwn_BheNuQaAnugEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

$19
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Freeman...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-301747404-_-302985119-_-N

 

[454ragtop]

I had/probably still have, an inflator like your pic and fitted a lower pressure gauge like you mentioned, worked pretty well, though I seem to remember it wasn't std pipe thread as mentioned. BUT, a couple years ago I got an Astro Pneumatic digital, not ever going back. The Astro has a clip on coupler, LARGE easy to read display that reads to tenths of a pound, think it even has a light, which I haven't needed. They keep coming down in price, less than $60. now, great buy IMO, I think you'd be just as happy as me. Battery life is excellent as well, use it a few times a week, still on original batteries.

 

[FigureItOut]

I've done exactly what you're talking about. My inflator is similar to the one you show, a blue Campbell Hausfeld from walmart. I put this Longacre gauge on it. I put the chuck on a whip with a quick connect, and made two more whips with different chucks. It's been a great little system.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

You might find a better deal but what you propose is completely feasible. As has been mentioned, just make sure to match the NPT thread. The gauge is the expensive component so there isn't a whole lot to be saved if yiu have to buy a gauge to make a better inflator.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[engineer2]

$25 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Freeman-...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

I had our calibration guy test the Freeman an it was pretty good for the price. It was half a pound off at around 30 psi. The inflator assembly leaked quite a bit, and it had strange threads, which is typical of the mass-produced Chinese stuff.

 

[jacked_72]

mine did not use the same threads as the replacement gauge I bought. This was noted above and should not be overlooked.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

All analog gauges going up to 150,180,200psi is why I designed the 3082. You can't see anything otherwise! Then I worked on doubling the accuracy on the pressure sensor so that a needle being halfway in between hash marks actually means something.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015NC4DXY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jacked_72]

What kind of pressure sensor is in an analog gauge like that? Isn't it just a bourdon tube pressure gauge?

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Yes, the design is pretty standard - however since we don't manufacture the sensor itself we can source this sensor from different levels of manufacturers with different accuracy qualifications

 

[Stadger]

Toss it and buy a Milton. Thank me later lol. Seriously.

And while you're at it, kick the gift giver in the teeth for thinking of you.

 

[cgrutt]

And while you're at it, kick the gift giver in the teeth for thinking of you.

Lol your words not mine. Strawman argument. OP already stated he wanted to replace parts to make it work so isn't that the same thing? Just suggesting something that works out of the box. BTW still have a cheap set of knives my cousin gave me for my wedding. Still have them nearly 30 years later because I appreciate the gift. Never used them because they ****...

 

[seber]

All analog gauges going up to 150,180,200psi is why I designed the 3082. You can't see anything otherwise! Then I worked on doubling the accuracy on the pressure sensor so that a needle being halfway in between hash marks actually means something.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015NC4DXY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That looks like a bargain to me and I have two Miltons.

 

[engineer2]

If you are wondering about pressure gauge accuracies here is a chart explaining it.
https://valvesandinstruments.com/pressure-gauge-tech

Many tire gauge manufacturers don't state the ANSI/ASME B40.1 Grade or the accuracy, which probably means it's Commercial Grade B.

In my opinion, being within 2 psi would be fine for your average passenger car tire.
Being within 1 psi would be better, but gets more expensive.
The main thing is to check them regularly.

 

[601HP]

All analog gauges going up to 150,180,200psi is why I designed the 3082. You can't see anything otherwise! Then I worked on doubling the accuracy on the pressure sensor so that a needle being halfway in between hash marks actually means something.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015NC4DXY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks for posting. My wife has been waiting for more than a week for me to tell her what I'd like for Christmas. The Astro-3082 will be that gift.

David

 

[engineer2]

Look at the digital Astro too. I'm seeing a lot of them at local repair shops.

 

[6PTsocket]

If you are wondering about pressure gauge accuracies here is a chart explaining it.
https://valvesandinstruments.com/pressure-gauge-tech

Many tire gauge manufacturers don't state the ANSI/ASME B40.1 Grade or the accuracy, which probably means it's Commercial Grade B.

In my opinion, being within 2 psi would be fine for your average passenger car tire.
Being within 1 psi would be better, but gets more expensive.
The main thing is to check them regularly.

That applies to analog gauges. When reading specs for digital gauges there are things to be aware of. When they say it reads to .1 psi, that is resolution, not accuracy, which is always worse by several orders of magnitude.For example: .1 scale divisions could be plus or minus .5 psi. Also accuracy is sometimes given as a percent of full scale rather than percent of reading. Often you are left to guess which because the seller has no idea. If you look at the AP specs, on their site, they are quite specific as to what their specs mean.
If you buy industrial analog gauges, the info you posted is available. If you buy analog gauges from an automotive source there will only be some vague accuracy statement if any. If they state it is certified for TPMS calibration that only requires plus or minus 2 psi to make that claim.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[pgtr]

Wow - great feedback - thanks so much!

Yep - I'll definitely confirm the thread beforehand. And I like that Astro model too - interesting.

I've wondered about digital - they must include an A2D converter - so I assume they can only be as good as their A2D. And is an A2D any more accurate than an old school 'A' needle gauge? I dunno.

My dash and my old pencil-type gauges all read close enough for my needs - within 2-ish PSI of each other. My inflator reads way off - maybe 8PSI too high. And it's difficult to read of course - heck the needle is probably almost 2 PSI thick! So one way or another - it's gotta go - either the gauge or the whole inflator.

Thanks again

 

[Wamsutta]

I like the Amflo 100.

 

[engineer2]

they must include an A2D converter

Any digital gauge would have one. % of reading digital gauges are expensive because of making the low end of the scale accurate. Many are % of full scale. A digital gauge is better used in the upper half of its range.

The main factor in a digital gauge it the quality of the pressure sensor they use. The cheap chinese ones use a bare sensor chip mounted right on the circuit board. Prone to leaks and water damage. Expensive digital gauges use a temperature compensated stainless steel sensor. No problems with accidental ingestion of water.

 

[HenryAZ]

Milton S-506, the original.

 

[guy48065]

Be a shame to destroy a nice 50psi analog gauge by hooking it to a 125psi compressor.
Go digital for the best accuracy & resolution across a wider range.

 

[JJ99SS]

I like that you specify that the gauge will take 200 psi from the compressor. I've read that over pressuring a gauge will ruin it. I myself have an analog one from joesracing.com that is pretty nice. But when I use it with over 60 psi the gauge will zip right past its max of 60 psi. Hasn't seemed to hurt it yet but if it does i'll likely go digital.

I also like that it has a bleed valve by your thumb...