Electronic controlled tyre inflation.

[-Scott-]

Who would purchase an add-on kit to allow you to hook up your compressor to your tyre, walk away, and have it cut out at the pressure you set? Very handy for airing up while you pack up camp.

With a little help from a friend (who supplied stuff at good mates rates ) I have a system under the bonnet, hanging off my ARB compressor, which does just this. It's even IP65, so I don't have to worry when I'm hosing the engine. The compressor still works normally for lockers, and the system is simple to bypass if it ever fails.

Unfortunately, buying everything list price is ridiculously expensive but the company in question may offer a "kit" at a substantial discount. The kit could probably be put together cheaper without the IP65 rating, which would probably be OK for those without the compressor mounted under the bonnet.

So, anybody interested, or is it a nerdy toy?

Cheers,

Scott

[nicbeer]

Sounds cool. Whats the damaged estimated to be.

cheers

[-Scott-]

Nobody has done firm figures yet, but best guess is between $200 and $300 - it all depends on how much "discount" company management allows, although the non-IP65 version should be a little cheaper.

I find it's great for airing up - connect it to the tyre, then walk away and wait for it to cut out. But that doesn't mean that others will want it, much less be prepared to pay much.

The next issue is that mine works with the ARB compressor, with tank and high pressure cut-out switch. I haven't worked out what we'd do for a compressor without those features - it would probably need some changes...

Cheers,

Scott

[Utemad]

I'm always up for new gizmos however I just have a pressure gauge inline with my air line and when it reads 2 psi above the pressure I want then it is ready. I just connect it and do what I have to do while periodically checking. All up cost was about $20

[nicbeer]

What about airing the tyres down as well?

Can ya get a adj cutoff valve so can install that in line with the compressor and the tyre? should be cheaper.

cheers

[hottiemonster]

What about airing the tyres down as well?

Can ya get a adj cutoff valve so can install that in line with the compressor and the tyre? should be cheaper.

cheers

its called staun tyre deflators

[nicbeer]

Pthh,

A stick is cheaper.

cheers

[-Scott-]

What about airing the tyres down as well?

Can ya get a adj cutoff valve so can install that in line with the compressor and the tyre? should be cheaper.

cheers

That's what I originally looked for, but setting them is trial and error - keep adjusting it until the first tyre is where you want it, then pump up the others. And mechanical systems like that aren't particularly precise.

With this system you adjust target pressure to the nearest 0.1psi and away it goes. The accuracy of the gauge isn't actually +/- 0.1 psi, but the precision is good. When the digital gauge reads 36psi my old analogue reads 38psi - I don't know which is correct, and I really don't care.

With an extra switch or two it could probably be adjusted to deflate too, but as Hottiemonster says, that's what a Staun is for.

Cheers,

Scott

[modman]

is it a clipsal device?
david

[Utemad]

I saw a Range Rover in Coopers Plains in Brisbane with onboard tyre inflation. It looked like a prototype stage though as it had air hoses coming out from under the guards somewhere and then entering in the centre of the hubs. They hung out a fair way as they looped out and around and back to the hub and would have caught on anything going past it so that is why I say it looked like a prototype.

[-Scott-]

It's something thrown together from components from a major pneumatics supplier. It's not a system for adjusting tyre pressures as you drive - it's purely for airing up at the end of the track. Pop the bonnet, hook up the tyre, check the set pressure then sit back and wait for the pump to stop. You can pack up camp, chat to your mates, make coffee! You don't need to continually check the pressure.

I built this to see if I could, and never envisaged using a digital switch - it's just that they're more repeatable than the cheaper mechanical devices, and my good friend gave me a good price. There is the possibility of a kit if there is interest - but even at a good discount it's probably more than most people are prepared to pay for the convenience, which is the impression I'm getting from the lack of interest in this thread.

Cheers,

Scott