Recommend me a tyre inflator...
Recommend me a tyre inflator...
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Discussion

crazy about cars

Original Poster:

4,454 posts

200 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
So I've confirmed today that my trusty Michelin digital tyre inflator is reporting the wrong pressure. This has sadly caused some uneven wear to the tyres of the family car. A bit gutted as it's only < 2 years old.

Anyway, I'm shopping around for a new replacement. It has to be digital and also a rather powerful one to be able to handle SUV tyres and also most importantly reliable.

Currently I am looking at the Ring RAC630 on ebay which looks like a good choice (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ring-RAC630-Compressor-12v-Car-Tyre-Tire-Inflator-Pump-RAC600-Replacement-/231143078781?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35d1337b7d). I've been into Halfords and decent ones are >£40!

Any advise greatly appreciated thanks!

Edit: my old one looks like this (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Michelin-12v-High-Power-Car-Tyre-Inflator-Air-Compressor-Pump-Digital-Gauge-Bike-/360849117670?pt=UK_Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item54044891e6) but without the pop out digital tyre pressure reader. I am also keen on this new model but not too sure after current experience.

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

198 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
http://www.sipuk.co.uk/diesel-driven-industrial-ai...

Should be enough for your ruffty tuffty SUV tyres.

crazy about cars

Original Poster:

4,454 posts

200 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
Willy Nilly said:
http://www.sipuk.co.uk/diesel-driven-industrial-ai...

Should be enough for your ruffty tuffty SUV tyres.
I think that's a bit out of budget smile

jdcampbell

1,636 posts

280 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
I've a Ring RAC600 and its great.

The ring products used to consistently win Auto Express product tests, so although they are cheap and cheerful I think they are a good bet.

I used to own a company that sold them mail order and we had very few returns. In fact I can only think of a single failure that wasn't just a blown fuse.

littleredrooster

6,415 posts

227 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
If the compressor bit is still working OK, why not just buy a proper tyre pressure gauge? Check pressure, connect pump, add correct number of missing psi's.

Too easy?

crazy about cars

Original Poster:

4,454 posts

200 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
jdcampbell said:
I've a Ring RAC600 and its great.

The ring products used to consistently win Auto Express product tests, so although they are cheap and cheerful I think they are a good bet.

I used to own a company that sold them mail order and we had very few returns. In fact I can only think of a single failure that wasn't just a blown fuse.
Thanks - that's what I'm thinking of going for smile Found great deal on eBay with free LED torch.

crazy about cars

Original Poster:

4,454 posts

200 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
Personally I cannot be 100% sure that it's just the pressure gauge that's knackered. I'm just being cautious as the last family trip was a bit hairy due to under inflated tyres (I check tyre pressures every weekend and before a big trip) and for the sake of around 20-30 quid I would think replacing with new one would be best decision.

littleredrooster said:
If the compressor bit is still working OK, why not just buy a proper tyre pressure gauge? Check pressure, connect pump, add correct number of missing psi's.

Too easy?

JimmyTheHand

1,001 posts

173 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
I found one of these very good and quite easily handled tyrs on my SUV - not too struck on digital, generally give the impression of accuracy but aren't any better

crazy about cars

Original Poster:

4,454 posts

200 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
JimmyTheHand said:
I found one of these very good and quite easily handled tyrs on my SUV - not too struck on digital, generally give the impression of accuracy but aren't any better
Thanks for the heads up. The reason I preferred is because it's easier/faster to read in those cold, dark and wet wintry nights. I might this one as a backup.

Council Scum

42 posts

153 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
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My Ring RAC died after 5 years of frequent use, it won't stop me buying another though.

Ledaig

1,810 posts

293 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
I've been an earlier version of this for about a year - does the job on the Jeep as well as the wifes Mazda 3...

linky

kambites

71,681 posts

252 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
Get a separate gauge. I'm not sure why but the built-in ones always seem prone to going out of calibration in my experience. I've got one of these, and it seems surprisingly good:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Edited by kambites on Sunday 9th February 19:35

cptsideways

13,894 posts

283 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
T-Max = job done, proper bit of kit & available for about £50-60

richs2891

906 posts

284 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
As above either a Tmax or one of these warrior ones
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WARRIOR-PORTABLE-12V-90-...


cptsideways

13,894 posts

283 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
Ledaig said:
I've been an earlier version of this for about a year - does the job on the Jeep as well as the wifes Mazda 3...

linky
My wife has one & I think its junk! stupid plastic flap for the cable, awful design.

crazy about cars

Original Poster:

4,454 posts

200 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
Ledaig said:
I've been an earlier version of this for about a year - does the job on the Jeep as well as the wifes Mazda 3...

linky
I think this is the same one I have (without the pop out tyre pressure gauge). Somehow mine is reading around 8PSI higher. Doesn't seem much but over a prolonged period does cause concern as I had been inflating below minimum recommend.

Edited by crazy about cars on Sunday 9th February 19:46

crazy about cars

Original Poster:

4,454 posts

200 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
cptsideways said:
T-Max = job done, proper bit of kit & available for about £50-60
Apologies if this is a silly question but any links to this T-max?

cptsideways

13,894 posts

283 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
crazy about cars said:
cptsideways said:
T-Max = job done, proper bit of kit & available for about £50-60
Apologies if this is a silly question but any links to this T-max?
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-RX1668BM

crazy about cars

Original Poster:

4,454 posts

200 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
cptsideways said:
Cheers matey smile That looks like a solid piece of kit!

Balmoral

42,561 posts

279 months

Sunday 9th February 2014
quotequote all
I came to the conclusion that you can't buy a good quality new pump, they aren't made. £20 for some garbage that cost just a few pence to make seems to be the standard.

So I spent £45 on something 50+ years old.