BajaNomad
Not logged in [Login - Register]

Go To Bottom
Printable Version  
 Pages:  1  2    4
Author: Subject: Air changes in tires: how do you do it?
willardguy
Elite Nomad
******




Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 12:29 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Whale-ista
Several posts here recommend deflating tires on certain stretches of off-road, then inflating when you return to the highway. My question is: do you carry a compressor with you to do this?

If so, what kind would you recommend? Are they sold in Baja or should I get one in the US?

Thanks for your input.
on the other side of the coin, one of the best investments we ever made was a set of automatic tire deflators. set em at 20 lbs(or whatever you chose)screw em on and grab a coldy. 50-75 bucks a set and well worth it! :yes:
View user's profile
marv sherrill
Nomad
**




Posts: 464
Registered: 11-18-2003
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 12:34 PM


wow - Ken - where did you find a drive-in movie?
View user's profile
Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
******




Posts: 8955
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline

Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury

[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 12:41 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by marv sherrill
wow - Ken - where did you find a drive-in movie?


http://www.vanburendrivein.com/





View user's profile
Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
******




Posts: 8955
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline

Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury

[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 12:54 PM
York Compressor Build Thread


http://www.stu-offroad.com/otherwriteups/oba/oba-5.htm





[Edited on 1-3-2014 by Ken Cooke]




View user's profile
durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
******




Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline

Mood: thriving in Baja

[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 12:56 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by marv sherrill
wow - Ken - where did you find a drive-in movie?


http://www.vanburendrivein.com/



Lotta classic cars at the drive-in. Was photo taken in the 50s or 60s?




Bob Durrell
View user's profile
Phil C
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 564
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: N. San Diego County/ Loreto Centro/Lopez Mateos
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 01:13 PM


I use a 10lb co2 tank mounted to the roof rack with enough hose to reach all 4 tires. reinflates from air downs 8 to 10 times before needing refilling.
View user's profile
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
*******




Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline

Mood: Everchangin'

[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 01:20 PM


and don't forget to rotate the air in your tires annually!

edit::light::lol::P

[Edited on 1-3-2014 by woody with a view]




View user's profile
55steve
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 857
Registered: 4-24-2006
Location: Warner Springs, CA
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 01:31 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
http://www.stu-offroad.com/otherwriteups/oba/oba-5.htm





[Edited on 1-3-2014 by Ken Cooke]


Yep, this is what I did - served me very well for many years!
View user's profile
neilm81301
Nomad
**




Posts: 134
Registered: 3-21-2012
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 02:06 PM
Propane tank?


I've heard of guys blowing up their tires from their propane tank (I know, use a pun, go to prison)

Anybody ever try that? They say the 'air' in the flat-fix cans is really propane, or some other flammable gas.

Neil
View user's profile
basautter
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 862
Registered: 7-1-2013
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 02:43 PM


I have a VIAIR 400P portable compressor that gets power from clamp on cables to the vehicle battery. It has a very high flow rate (quick inflation time), and has been very reliable. It cost about $200.00, but you get what you pay for. I deflate to ~22 PSI when on dirt. By the way, there are several companies that make tire deflators. They twist onto the valve stem, and deflate to a calibrated pressure (check out trailheaddeflators.com).
View user's profile
aguachico
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 602
Registered: 3-23-2007
Location: tijuana
Member Is Offline

Mood: logic cannot get thru to the illogical

[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 03:57 PM


I gotta duty free 12 volt pump. It would take my 35inch tires from 10-40#'s in about 20 minutes. Split the cost between a friend. About 7 years ago it was $300. still runs great today. Never has to shut down for over heating.

BTW Ken: Beautiful foto congrats.

[Edited on 1-3-2014 by aguachico]
View user's profile
Barry A.
Select Nomad
*******




Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline

Mood: optimistic

[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 04:26 PM


I have a 12v clip-powered QUICK AIR II in a protective steel box that I have had since 1997-------it has never failed me, and can pump a 285x16 tire from 18 to 45 lbs in about 3 to 4 min., but it IS pricey at over $300 even back then. I use it more for pumping up bike tires, but when I need it in the boonies it is invaluable and worth every penny.

barry

(edited to change tire size from 265 to 285)

[Edited on 1-4-2014 by Barry A.]
View user's profile
Neal Johns
Super Nomad
****


Avatar


Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
Member Is Offline

Mood: In love!

[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 04:39 PM


Best inflaters in order of speed:

CO2 Tank - Quickest, takes up a little more space than a 12v compressor. Must be refilled. Expensive.

York or air conditioning pump belt driven - if you have room under the hood. A lot of installation work.

$200 12v Compressor (what I have - ViAir)

$50 12v Compressor - OK for one flat tire. Slow.

$10 12v Compressor - Don't even think about it.:lol:

Old style manual pump - Woman's Work :o:o:o




My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
View user's profile Visit user's homepage
Whale-ista
Super Nomad
****




Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline

Mood: Sunny with chance of whales

[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 05:07 PM
Costco option?


I don't find a compressor on their website. someone mentioned seeing one at costco. was it at a store location?



\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
View user's profile
David K
Honored Nomad
*********


Avatar


Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline

Mood: Have Baja Fever

[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 05:50 PM


You were correct about Tacomas Neal... but I have to disagree with this:

"$50 12v Compressor - OK for one flat tire. Slow."

Of course, I got my first battery clip on compressor on sale ($49.95) when bajaLou recommended it at Harbor Freight. It still works, and had many times coming off Shell island or other places. The Tsunami 50 was actually given to me by someone who was cleaning out his garage... it was basically brand new. I think it was sold for about $69... and Doug even had one like it for sale here on the Tienda Baja Nomad.

Okay, so now the speed issue. Before the $50 HF pump, I had a Coleman cigarette lighter plug pump (for many many years of use at about $25)... and it would add air at a rate of 2 psi/ min. So going from 15 psi to 30 psi would take 8 min. per tire... 32 min. total... and that's a lot if it's summer in the desert!

The $50 HF (Harbor Freight) pump adds air at a rate of 6 psi/ min. or 2.5 min. per tire (265/75-16")... 10 min. total for all four.

The Tsunami is just a bit slower at 5 psi per min. or 12 min. total. I like the smaller case size, less room in the truck, and non-melting fuses that the HF one had... so the extra 2 min. is okay!




"So Much Baja, So Little Time..."

See the NEW www.VivaBaja.com for maps, travel articles, links, trip photos, and more!
Baja Missions and History On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bajamissions/
Camping, off-roading, Viva Baja discussion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vivabaja


View user's profile Visit user's homepage
Pacifico
Super Nomad
****


Avatar


Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 1-3-2014 at 06:08 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Phil C
I use a 10lb co2 tank mounted to the roof rack with enough hose to reach all 4 tires. reinflates from air downs 8 to 10 times before needing refilling.


That's what I use. It was fairly cheap; not the Powertank version. We bought the various parts and made our own regulators (a friend and I). Couldn't be happier with it...




"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
View user's profile
bkbend
Senior Nomad
***




Posts: 695
Registered: 11-27-2003
Location: central OR or central baja
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 1-4-2014 at 12:57 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by David K

The $50 HF (Harbor Freight) pump adds air at a rate of 6 psi/ min. or 2.5 min. per tire (265/75-16")... 10 min. total for all four.



Yes, but... with a real truck (not a toy) using load range E tires it takes quite a bit longer to get 55psi. Those pumps struggle and get hotter when you get over about 40psi. I can't pump all four tires to my preferred pressure, but can get enough in them to limp to a nearby llantera. Studying this thread for a new/better option.
View user's profile
larryC
Super Nomad
****




Posts: 1497
Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 1-4-2014 at 01:08 PM


I use a scuba tank and oxygen welding regulator. Very fast to reinflate the tires and I own 3 hi pressure scuba compressors so cheap and easy to refill the tank. Takes up a lot of room compared to a 12v pump. I have a 12v pump but it gets really hot but has never shut down.



Off grid, 12-190 watt evergreen solar panels on solar trackers, 2-3648 stacked Outback inverters, 610ah LiFePo4 48v battery bank, FM 60 and MX60 Outback charge controllers, X-240 Outback transformer for 240v from inverters, 6500 watt Kubota diesel generator.
View user's profile
rts551
Elite Nomad
******




Posts: 6700
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 1-4-2014 at 01:10 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Whale-ista
I don't find a compressor on their website. someone mentioned seeing one at costco. was it at a store location?


Yes it was in both Tucson stores.
View user's profile
monoloco
Elite Nomad
******




Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 1-4-2014 at 01:11 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by bkbend
Quote:
Originally posted by David K

The $50 HF (Harbor Freight) pump adds air at a rate of 6 psi/ min. or 2.5 min. per tire (265/75-16")... 10 min. total for all four.



Yes, but... with a real truck (not a toy) using load range E tires it takes quite a bit longer to get 55psi. Those pumps struggle and get hotter when you get over about 40psi. I can't pump all four tires to my preferred pressure, but can get enough in them to limp to a nearby llantera. Studying this thread for a new/better option.
I have a Tsunami and it takes 20-30 minutes to get one tire from 18 to 40psi on my F350, and it will overheat if not turned off and allowed to cool a few times. They are really only good for emergencies and doorstops.



"The future ain't what it used to be"
View user's profile
 Pages:  1  2    4

  Go To Top

 






All Content Copyright 1997- Q87 International; All Rights Reserved.
Powered by XMB; XMB Forum Software © 2001-2014 The XMB Group






"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen. The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez

 

"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt

 

"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes

 

"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn

 

"The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." - Cunningham's Law







Thank you to Baja Bound Mexico Insurance Services for your long-term support of the BajaNomad.com Forums site.







Emergency Baja Contacts Include:

Desert Hawks; El Rosario-based ambulance transport; Emergency #: (616) 103-0262