David K
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Location: San Diego County
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12v Portable TIRE AIR PUMP: UPDATE
One of the most important items to have in your Baja bound vehicle is an air pump to reinflate tires. Deflating tires off the pavement is key to both
puncture resistance and traction/ flotation.
Another use for the air pump is to refill a flat tire after you plug a hole (if you didn't deflate before off pavement driving). So, have a tire plug
kit, as well!
I have had three models of electric tire pumps over the past 35 or so years.
I started with one that plugged into the cigarette lighter... It was not so bad because at the time, my 4x4 was a Subaru with 13" tires, and I would
just wait the time it took to refill.
When I started off roading in a Tacoma, with 16" x 31" or 32" tires (265/70 or 75 x 16) the cigarette lighter powered unit was just too slow, adding
air at the rate of 2 psi per minute. That meant to go from 15 psi to 35 psi (20 psi added) would take 10 minutes per tire or 40 minutes for all four.
The great aridologist, Mr. Neal Johns, recommended the General Pneumatic brand pump with a power cable that clips directly onto the battery... was on
sale for $49.95 at Harbor Freight. That unit filled my tires at the rate of 6 psi per minute, three times faster (3.3 minutes/tire).
On the negative side, the power cable gets very hot and the fuses would melt (not blow, but the plastic housing would melt). The large hard plastic
carrying case was a bit bulky, too.
I acquired an MV-50 SuperFlow pump and it was perhaps a tad slower but the wires did not overheat and it fit into a smaller, canvas carrying case. It
gave me years of good service until my last use, last year, just south of Gonzaga Bay, when I was refilling my tires and when moving the fill hose to
reach the last tire, accidently P-nched the tube (while the pump was running)... and that blew out an internal check valve and ended its life!
That was not the pump's fault! But, TURN OFF the pump between tires, just in case!
Well, for Father's Day, my kids got me a new MV-50 along with some of those automatic deflator devices you screw onto the tire stems. I did an in
garage test, using a stop watch... Here are my findings:
Using a precision dial pressure gauge, I deflated my tire to 20 psi then timed how long to add 15 psi (back to 35 psi). The answer was 2.5 minutes for
a 265/75-16 all terrain tire.
1 min = 6 psi ADDED
2 min = 12 psi
3 min = 18 psi
4 min = 24 psi
5 min = 30 psi
The gauge on the pump was pretty accurate when the pump was not running, but jumps almost 10 psi when on and filling. So, to know when to remove the
fill hose, I ran the pump until the gauge was just below the 45 psi line (for 35 psi in the tire. You can toggle the on off switch to see the more
accurate pressure.
2 minutes???
In 2 minutes, it will add 12 psi to a truck tire, if the tire is flat, you may need closer to 6 minutes if your tire needs around 35 psi for the
highway. Obviously more time if you have a higher pressure tire.
A footnote, the automatic EZ Deflators were pretty easy to set up (they are adjustable). You manually deflate the pressure to the desired reduction
(in my case 20 psi for dirt roads... and I can quickly let more air out for sand if needed). With the cap and lock ring turned all the way clockwise,
attach it to the tire stem and then turn the cap counter-clockwise until air escapes, then clockwise to it again doesn't. Now, bring up the lock ring
to hold the cap in that spot. After I refilled the tire, I placed the deflator on the stem, and it let air out... It took a long time, I didn't clock
it, and as the pressure got lower, the rate also diminished... when it was coming out real slow, I removed it and checked the pressure... it was 22
psi. The kit comes with 4 deflators, so I will put them on all four tires and after a beer, will finish the job with a pen or similar tool to depress
the valve stem.
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ehall
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I use the same deflators and they work great. Use a bicycle or wheelbarrow tire to set them. It's alot faster getting them dialed in perfect. Mine
haven't moved from 12psi and it's been 3 or 4 years.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Quote: Originally posted by ehall  | | I use the same deflators and they work great. Use a bicycle or wheelbarrow tire to set them. It's alot faster getting them dialed in perfect. Mine
haven't moved from 12psi and it's been 3 or 4 years. |
Setting them was easy, but it seemed to be an eternity to deflate a tire? Hope to test them in a few days in Baja.
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KaceyJ
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Quote: Originally posted by ehall | | I use the same deflators and they work great. Use a bicycle or wheelbarrow tire to set them. It's alot faster getting them dialed in perfect. Mine
haven't moved from 12psi and it's been 3 or 4 years. |
Setting them was easy, but it seemed to be an eternity to deflate a tire? Hope to test them in a few days in Baja. |
DK , we carry these everywhere, stick it into the valve stem , unscrew the shrader valve till it just pops out , deflation occurs pretty fast but not
uncontrolably , when the tire looks right , screw it back in , 1/4the time. Carry an extra shrader or two JIC.
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/air/DSC05516.jpg
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TMW
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Location: Bakersfield, CA
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When I deflate my tires I use the pressure gauge tit piece and count to 10 five times to go from 35 psi to 25 psi. seems to work for me every time.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64851
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by TMW | | When I deflate my tires I use the pressure gauge tit piece and count to 10 five times to go from 35 psi to 25 psi. seems to work for me every time.
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I would lose my place before the 5th time! How about counting to 50 one time? LOL
I would see the sidewalls buldge to the degree I am familiar with and check the pressure. Anyway, I will report on the EZ deflators when I use them on
all 4 at the same time.
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Terry28
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Location: S.Calif mtns.
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Now that gentlemen, is good to know..thanks..
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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Pacifico
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I used one of these on my buddy's truck and loved it! Super fast and easy for airing down. Highly recommended!
http://www.rdmoffroad.com/currietiredeflator.aspx
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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woody with a view
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i always thought airing down was part of the fun=NOW we're in Baja! my preferred method us using the pocket clip on a ball pen cap=free!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64851
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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That is how I have done it for 40 years! It will be fun to see if the newer tech makes the process easier. The set of deflators was a gift with my new
MV-50. The kids want us to get back to Shell Island and have some fun... It's been a whole year!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64851
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I just saw that when I was searching for photos of the deflators I got for Father's Day. Of interest, Currie Enterprises is the name on the device...
I rode with young Cassey Currie in his new Jeep in Baja on Trail of Missions, 2014. Then he rode with me in the helicopter back to El Cajon, so he
could get the hospital to check out his finger... the tip was severed while he was surfing at Punta San Carlos, the day before.
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