At first glance, it might seem that there is nothing complicated about inflating tires. In many cases, however, the opposite is true, as it has happened to us several times that a customer returned or wanted to exchange a tire inflator because the original one did not suit their needs and applications. That is why we have prepared this article to help you choose the right tire inflator for topping up all sorts of wheels or balls.
When choosing a reliable tool to top up the pressure in car, bicycle, motorcycle, or even airplane tires, and you don't want to pump manually with a hand or foot pump, you will probably always come across inflating with a compressor. Just like inflating is done at gas stations at a stand with a covered compressor. Because hoses with valves are quite frequently and commonly stolen in these places, they are replaced with much cheaper solutions that do not threaten the budget of the gas station operator. As you have surely noticed yourself, usually a portion of the compressed air escapes around the metal valve with an accompanying hissing sound because the grip is not tight. And this is exactly what your home or work inflation will look like if you skimp on the tire inflator or don't choose the right type. Furthermore, the role of properly inflated tires is crucial in matters of safety. Every driver knows that for a vehicle to function well, it must have tires in good condition and with the correct pressure.
Hose and valve chuck (clamping mechanism)
Let's get straight to the core of the selection issue. One parameter worth watching is definitely the length of the hose. Consider whether you want to kneel or stand while inflating. Some hoses are only 30 cm long, for example, while other manufacturers offer lengths of up to a meter. Furthermore, you can buy hoses of various lengths for branded tire inflators as you please. A manufacturer who doesn't cut corners uses rubber because it is flexible, especially at low temperatures. Other brands use PVC, which is cheaper but stiffens in the cold, making it difficult to use and manipulate such a hose. The hose connection is in most cases handled by a G1/4" thread.
However, the valve chuck itself might not be the same. Its tightness can vary more than the user might expect. If this matters to you and you don't want to risk losing compressed air, we always recommend getting a valve with a double clamp. Ordinary levers on the side of the valve with an inner beak often do not work perfectly because it's easy to attach them to the tire valve in the wrong position. This is a common phenomenon precisely with gas station solutions. A popular variant that would be a shame not to mention is also a valve attached to the hose at a 90-degree angle with a lever on the front. Here, a lot depends on the internal construction and the seal used. The last commonly used solution is an end with a handle and a metal valve extension, which we push against the tire valve with our own force. Thus, no chuck or clamping system is used; it depends solely on the operator's precision.
Pressure gauges
How precise does your application need to be? Do you require exact pressures, or do small deviations not matter? Pressure gauges attached to tire inflators are not always the same or equally accurate. But first, let's have a quick quiz!
A pressure gauge with what range should be used if you need a tire pressure of 40 psi?
- 15 psi
- 40 psi
- 60 psi
- 150 psi
If you said B, then you answered... incorrectly! The answer is C, and here's why:
- 15 psi – It's obvious there's no point in using such a pressure gauge. It won't read 40 psi, and you will destroy it.
- 40 psi – The maximum value on the gauge is 40 psi. You never want to peg the needle at the maximum because you risk damaging the pressure gauge.
- 60 psi - This gives you a good margin for measurement and excellent tolerance accuracy.
- 150 psi - You can use this pressure gauge too, but you sacrifice accuracy due to the large scale.
Tolerance accuracy is based on a percentage of the gauge's maximum pressure.
If the gauge's accuracy tolerance is +/- 2%, then a 150 psi gauge is accurate to (+/- 2% of 150 psi).
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General recommendations for choosing a pressure gauge scale:
- Low-pressure tires (carts, bicycles, hand trucks) - scale 15 to 60 psi
- Medium-pressure tires (passenger cars and light trucks) - scale 60 to 100 psi
- High-pressure tires (heavy trucks, trailers) - scale 150 to 200 psi
* some pressure gauges are also available in a calibrated version approved by the Czech Metrology Institute (CMI) (certification of the entire tire inflator is especially suitable where absolute pressure accuracy is required – for example, with aircraft and racing vehicles)
If you inflate tires regularly and in an environment where faster wear can occur (for example, in a tire shop), it is also advisable to ensure that the pressure gauge is resistant to shocks and rough handling. Manufacturers, therefore, like to use rubber protection. And those who want to go even further can buy a tire inflator with a digital pressure gauge right away. For example, variants from EWO stand out with high accuracy - 0.08 bar and displayed values in increments of 0.05 bar.
Inflation options
Among tire inflators, there is also one big difference in the inflation method itself. A number of cheaper variants only operate in an on-off mode, while more expensive variants offer a smooth start. It depends on the valve design inside the tire inflator's construction. Lever mechanisms can offer one more function - pressing halfway means deflating, a full press means inflating.
