Under Pressure?

[Blackadder]

Followed the crowd this week and bought a Ring RAC900 tyre inflator (after discovering that I'm not heavy enough to use my footpump at 4bar+). I also bought a JACO 7 bar pressure gauge which will not only cope with the pressures on Bert but also, thanks to the swivel fitting on the hose, with the two cars and two motorcycles in our stable.
It all works fine but I'm a bit dismayed at the difference between the pressure shown on the RAC900 gauge and that shown on the JACO. According to the guff that came with it the JACO is "Certified Accurate to ANSI Grade B40.1 (±2-3%)".
The difference is about 0.5 bar which is not insignificant, with the JACO reading lowest. At the moment I'm more inclined to believe the JACO but...
Has anyone else compared their "RAC900" gauge with anything else? (not including filling station gauges which are notoriously innaccurate!)

 

[Madcaravanner]

We are looking for a new inflator for Maxine as we are using an elderly one from Halfords (£1 from car boot) still works but is starting to struggle a 5bar
plus the electronic tyre gauge we have shows at least a 15lb/sq" difference

 

[autorouter]

I never take the inflator gauge as accurate, for the simple reason that the process of unscrewing the inflator hose loses quite a few psi. Not so bad for MH tyres, but for motorbike and pedal bike tyres it can be substantial. I usually inflate to about 5 psi or 0.5 bar above the required pressure, then use a separate gauge to check the pressure. By pushing the gauge on slowly to release a burst of air, I can gradually drop the pressure down to the required value.

 

[Fontie]

I to would be interested how others have found the accuracy of their Ring RAC900. Not tested mine against anything but have a feeling whatever you test against there will always be a difference. I think only way to get as near as possible to correct pressure is to take van to a reputable tyre place and get them to check, I believe there gauges have to be calibrated quite often so the correct pressure is put into the tyres they sell.

 

[TinaLes]

I made the mistake of buying a couple of those Ring digital inflators from the likes of Halfords, I would be on my third by now if I didn't have one supplied by the MH manufacture in the garage.
Strange thing is they work, you put them away in the boot, then when you get them out again they dont work!, mysterious eh?
I do like the the look of the Ring RAC900, its a lot more heavy duty, and its analogue, so less to go wrong. They seem expensive at £99.99 but I guess you get what you pay for, hope its got a decent warranty like 2 years or more.
Les

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[SpeedyDux]

The Halfords digital rapid one I had went BANG and died. The Halfords digital pressure guage stopped working in very cold temperatures so that went to the tip as well.

Very happy now with the Ring 900 (although the built in pressure guage is not accurate) and separate Draper analogue pressure guage for final adjustments.

It seems important not to let the Ring compressor overheat. I allow mine to cool down for a few minutes between inflating each tyre.

 

[ABZSteve]

I never take the inflator gauge as accurate, for the simple reason that the process of unscrewing the inflator hose loses quite a few psi. Not so bad for MH tyres, but for motorbike and pedal bike tyres it can be substantial. I usually inflate to about 5 psi or 0.5 bar above the required pressure, then use a separate gauge to check the pressure. By pushing the gauge on slowly to release a burst of air, I can gradually drop the pressure down to the required value.

Just how I do it

 

[ABZSteve]

No problems with my RAC900. Pressure up then adjust pressure down using handheld digital gauge. Also check against computer readings on our cars and adjust to averages. Not too concerned with being super accurate, works for me

 

[The Dotties]

I use a digital pressure gauge to check the family tyres before inflating.
I’ve found the ring 900 to be very accurate against the digital.
Invariably one or more of the tyres need more air so I tend to rely on just the ring..
I tend to use @autorouter method and overinflate the van by about 5lb to allow for loss take the inflator off.
Can’t remember the name of the digital, but paid a reasonable amount for it.

 

[Camdoon]

Our local tyre dealer checks my tyres, including pressures, for free before any major outing. They complain about garage gauges and I occasionally buy tyres from them if they are the cheapest.

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[Nasher]

I always over inflate slightly & then use a descent tyre pressure gauge to reduce pressure to correct reading

My £12.99 Lidl compressor works really well (only need 4.5 bar for my moho) if a little slow. The gauge on it tends to read slightly low, but for 65 psi I inflate until the gauge reads 70 and normally let out a few psi to 65 with my descent gauge - job done

I still have a Halfords one I purchased in 1991 - I used it to inflate one of my unicycle tyres to 80 psi. It would take a while but worked ok. No good for bigger tyres though. I gave it to my nieghbour when I purchased the Lidl one, he uses regularly for his kids bikes

 

[ABZSteve]

I always over inflate slightly & then use a descent tyre pressure gauge to reduce pressure to correct reading

My £12.99 Lidl compressor works really well (only need 4.5 bar for my moho) if a little slow. The gauge on it tends to read slightly low, but for 65 psi I inflate until the gauge reads 70 and normally let out a few psi to 65 - job done

I still have a Halfords one I purchased in 1991 - I used it to inflate one of my unicycle tyres to 80 psi. It would take a while but worked ok. No good for bigger tyres though. I gave it to my nieghbour when I purchased the Lidl one, he uses regularly for his kids bikes

“one of my unicycle tyres” PMSL

 

[Nasher]

“one of my unicycle tyres” PMSL

I have 5 unicyles - most run at 40 psi, but the one I did the London to Brighton ride on had a narrow tyre that needs 80 psi

 

[Hughman]

I saw a guy on a unicycle ride the whole way up Mont Ventoux in Provence, from Bedoin to the summit - 20 km or so!

 

[Nasher]

I saw a guy on a unicycle ride the whole way up Mont Ventoux in Provence, from Bedoin to the summit - 20 km or so!

Yep, mountain unicycling ('Muni' for short) is quite popular amongst unicyclist

@ABZSteve - we run those unicycle tyres at 25 psi or less

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[Gellyneck]

Very happy now with the Ring 900 (although the built in pressure guage is not accurate) and separate Draper analogue pressure guage for final adjustments.

Same for us but Ring 900 pressure compares closely with the Draper (1 - 2 lbsq +/-).