Portable Tyre Pressure Gauge

Submitted: Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 18:27
ThreadID: 83777 Views:5375 Replies:11 FollowUps:14
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There is always good discussion about tyre pressures but how do you check the pressure in your tyres?. Apart from the expensive tyre monitoring systems & the gauge attached to your air compressor do you use a "portable" gauge that you have handy like in the glovebox. There are numerous "Overseas" brand cheapos advertised but what's a good brand and what isn't?
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Reply By: Member - Craig F (WA) - Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 18:49

Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 18:49
Most guages fitted to a compressor are inacurate. I have a ARB Gauge/deflator that I have found to be very accurate and quick to deflate (removes the Valve). Cost around $75. I also have a set of Straun tyre deflators that are great for set pressures.
AnswerID: 442450

Reply By: RobAck - Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 19:00

Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 19:00
Unless you get a tyre gauge calibrated it will not be "accurate" so don't worry too much about that

You are looking for consistency of reading and to achieve that you use the same gauge every time. I have three gauges, use two TPMS and all read differently but within a reasonably tolerance range of 4 psi.

SO I always use our master gauge when I can and yes that gets calibrated every year.

What to buy that offers good value for money? We use and recommend the Rema Tip-Top range of tyre repair and pressure measuring equipment. You should be able to buy a decent gauge from them for around $35 or thereabouts and they have outlets nationally

Regards

RobA
AnswerID: 442452

Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 20:45

Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 20:45
Hi Roback,
I have 4 Guages, all different and vary about 6 PSI
Where do you go to get your gauge calibrated?
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Follow Up By: RobAck - Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 20:33

Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 20:33
Not sure where you are but if you go to the Yellow Pages and find a NATA accredited test facility they will do the work for you

BUT You need to purchase a tyre pressure gauge that can be calibrated. Those commercially available from the normal accessory outlets do not provide them and they are expensive. So think about this before you act

Rema Tip Top sell this sort of equipment and are probably one of the few in Australia who do.

In my view you do not need to spend the money. Just use one gauge and apply the 300mm rule and you will more than likely be OK

Regards

RobA
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 23:57

Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 23:57
Thanks for the info RobAck.
What is the 300mm rule?
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Follow Up By: RobAck - Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 08:57

Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 08:57
The 300mm rule is best described by Joel Flemming in Alice Springs. Goto his website Direct 4WD and go to the tyres section.

Put simply it is that a tyre with a 300mm footprint, long not wide, is at about the optimal pressure. So that means you use that length as a gauge for your starting point. That says you lower your pressures to the point where the tyre is 300mm long

Interestingly enough this tends to end up, regardless of tyre, giving you starting pressures of around 26 and 18 psi, as a general rule

If you have a copy of the Leyland Brothers West to East crossing of Australia you will also see it used

Regards

RobA
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 10:46

Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 10:46
I thought it might be something like that.
The tyres I use recommend the 6PSI rule and I go by that for hard surfaces.
If I use the same gauge for both measurements it is not important if it is out of calibration.
Sounds like the 300mm rule is another option for soft surfaces.
Thanks for the information Rob.
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Reply By: Member - Porl - Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 19:13

Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 19:13
Go to a motorcycle shop, in the shop or online.

If you think 4x4 tyres are expensive compare them to motorcycle tyres and be thankful.

As motorbickles go round corners on the curve of the tyre, tyre pressure is way up there on the important level on a road bike.

I bought my Michelin hand held gauge at my motorcycle shop 24 years ago, still holds perfect pressure for as long as I want.

cheers

porl
AnswerID: 442456

Reply By: StormyKnight - Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 19:28

Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 19:28
Make sure you get a gauge with a range of 0-60psi or so. Most compressor gauges measure 0-200psi & the scale is too small to get an accurate reading to the nearest psi or so.

AnswerID: 442459

Reply By: Hairs & Fysh - Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 20:11

Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 20:11
6 years ago I purchased a cheap one, about 20 bucks, the stick/pen shape ones, from Supercheap with 2 psi markings, don't know how accurate it is.
Going by it, I run 42 psi on the H/Way in my Duelers 604V 31x10.5x15, and they have just on 70 000k's on them now, wearing spot on.
Never checked it against any other gauges.


AnswerID: 442464

Reply By: ben_gv3 - Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 20:26

Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 20:26
As some of the others have said consistency not accuracy is the key.

I have a digital gauge from Jaycar. I'm not sure how accurate it is but it is consistent. It's also backlit which is great for checking pressures at night.

I also try and go by the 4psi rule.
AnswerID: 442468

Reply By: Motherhen - Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 20:39

Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 20:39
After so many gauges at purchased at various price ranges failing or proving too inaccurate, we purchased a digital one from DealExtreme for around $12. It is great.

Motherhen
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AnswerID: 442471

Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 21:31

Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 21:31
I have a Bushranger gauge- deflater bought from Ananconda for $34 Gives the same pressures as my TPMS Good enough for me.



AnswerID: 442480

Follow Up By: Member - Murray R (VIC) - Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 23:19

Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 23:19
I willl second the bushranger gauge

Murray
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Follow Up By: brushmarx - Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 09:45

Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 09:45
I have had two Bushrangers.
Pressure gauges only, not deflators, except for a lump to depress the valve.
The first one worked fine for approx 20 tyre checks, 3500km and 5 weeks, and the end fell off, the second (free replacement under warranty) lasted about the same extent of work, but covered a longer distance and around 4 months, and stopped working. Both failures were in remote areas.
Neither of them suffered abuse, and lived cosily padded in the door storage pocket.
These gauges were recommended by a major 4x4 outlet and were around $35, but I won't trust them again.
I replaced mine with a needle gauge in a plastic case from Supercheap, cost $35, and works a treat, so far.
Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 09:51

Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 09:51
You must have got duds then as mine has been sitting in the door pocket

mostly without the bag for over 2 years and is still as good as the day I bought

it. Only put it back in the bag last week.

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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 10:21

Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 10:21
Be careful as Bushmarx says to get the right thing


http://www.bushranger.com.au/3_in_1_tyregauge.php

This is probably one of the best products around at a reasonable price to - however always carry a second means of measuring pressure as well.
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 10:45

Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 10:45
Thats the one I have.

Along with the TPMS havent had any tyre probs apart from two Dunlops

delaminating on the van.

The BFG's on the Cruiser havent even had a puncture in 60,000k.


Have one little crack in 1 lug that must have caught a rock or something


Also have one of those funny shaped digital $19 jobs that I dont trust very much but it sometimes agrees with the other two.

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Follow Up By: PradOz - Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 11:43

Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 11:43
i also have the bushranger 3 in one but will not use it. It seems to be way out (at least 6psi) when compared to:
- pressure just set at at tyre dealer when they do a tyre service;
- my other 3 tyre pressure guages which although different brand and types give the exact same reading. (1 is on my air compressor in workshop, 1 is the round type similar to the bushranger dial, other is simple pencil type. they all measure the same so now dont use pencil one, just the other 2) i do have another round dial type which is different so wont use it anymore either

i was very disappointed in the bushranger. i havent even put it in my 'new' 120. originally when i bought it i thought it was such a good idea i got 2 and gave 1 as a present but i am too embarrassed by how mine is to ask him how his is. mine still looks like brand new, not a mark on it but to me its useless sitting in a cupboard which isnt how i pictured it would be!

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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 12:35

Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 12:35
A thought about gauges. How do you know that one is accurate and the other not.

It really is relative I would not trust a service station gauge for starters.
Secondly if you get them done at a tyre dealer how do you know his gauge is accurate.
In both cases they get used abused and knocked around all day.

If you can get a gauge calibrated by whoever does them and you have another one you like but dont use because as you say its 6lb out, well allow for that when you pump up the tyres.

My two are different but the bushranger is the same as the TPMS so I use it.
Maybe they are both out but my tyres are still running evenly after 60,000k so they cant be far wrong.

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Follow Up By: PradOz - Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 21:35

Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 21:35
Graham - as you say "it is relative"

With that in mind seeing i have 3 guages reading exactly the same and 1 different (regarless of brand/type) why would i choose to use the 1 that is different when i can use any of the other 3 and know they are "always right" for me. i leave 1 in the car and 1 in the garage, other in garage. my tyre wear excellent also with great mileage so cannot complain.

if i choose to use the bushranger i would have to add 6psi to every use to get what i have now. sounds like too muck "work" to try remember when you are in a hurry, tired, busy or when the minds on something else.

i only mentioned my experience with the bushranger to highlight the differences that can occur in the same brand and in this case a brand i expected more of when i purchased it. it would be interesting putting it up against your bushranger for a comparison, cheers....
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 21:51

Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 21:51
I didnt mean you should Was talking in generalities.

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Reply By: OREJAP - Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 23:26

Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 at 23:26
Thanks everyone for your responses.
AnswerID: 442495

Reply By: Ruffy-Dan - Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 12:50

Friday, Jan 21, 2011 at 12:50
The EEZ deflator / gauge is one of the best on the market IMO. Fast, Easy and accurate deflating.

DAN
AnswerID: 442551

Reply By: Aussie Ringer - Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 12:52

Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 12:52
I have a VDO dial type, have had it over 35 years, very accurate and is adjustable don't know if you can still get them but will be expensive if you can, this one cost over $30 when I bought it.
AnswerID: 442686

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