Method for tire deflating?

[cross_007]

Hello,

I would like to hear your opinion on the different methods of deflating/inflating tires when you arrive at/leave a trail.

What is your preferred method of deflating/inflating? Do you use Staun Tire Deflators or Alligator Double Seal Valve caps? - If so, why?

If you use Staun Tire Deflators, do you use their regular, light duty, or heavy duty deflators? I have a 99' TJ, and I am wondering which deflator I would use?

If you use Alligator Valve caps, I know they are helpful with inflating tires quickly (since you dont have to use the caps on your tire stems), but can you deflate with them on?

All responses are appreciated. Thanks, Chris:)

[lancetkenyon]

I use the $12.99 set at 4 Wheelers. There are no set pressures to automatically shut off, but for an extra $50, I can watch my own tire guage. And for OBA, I have a Quick Air II. If I had it to do over, I would get some kind of air tank, like a Powertank, only cheaper.

[YGOHOME]

Hi Chris, welcome aboard...

i use the same ones Lance mentioned. The $12 deflaters from 4 wheelers.

Stauns are pretty good, and I have a set that your welcome to have if you want them. I didn't like them cause they fall out of adjustment, can't check the air pressure without removing them first... stuff like that made them more of a hassle than a convenience to me.

Ben

[amber.hodge]

Chris Cross :D -
We just have the valve caps that have the valve stem pullers on the ends built in, so we take out the gauge and take off the cap, flip it around, pull the valve and put it back in and the cap back on when aired down. Nothing fancy, but it works....haven't lost a valve stem yet.... :D

[SEDONA RICK]

OLD SCHOOL. SCREW OUT VALVE STEMS. YOU CAN TELL BY THE SOUND OF THE AIR WHEN YOU REACH ABOUT 12lbs.
CO2 TANK FOR REFILL.

[desertangel]

I have the 12.99 set from 4 whellers also and than a costco mini compressor for infalting.

[06TJWRANGLER]

I use the $12.99 set at 4 Wheelers. There are no set pressures to automatically shut off, but for an extra $50, I can watch my own tire guage. And for OBA, I have a Quick Air II. If I had it to do over, I would get some kind of air tank, like a Powertank, only cheaper.

To be exact Lance I think there 11.99 plus tax! Lol JK :D

[YGOHOME]

...haven't lost a valve stem yet.... :D

famous last words. lol

I still have your A/C switch by the way :)

I'll be at the 5:30/6am CK trail run incase if you guys were going I can hand it over then

[YGOHOME]

oh yeah, co2 for inflating. I also have a 10 lb tank for sale cheap :)

[AZLugz]

I use the $58 Staun presets and have them at 10psi. I usually am wandering around making sure everyone is ready and when I get back to mine, they are done without being FLAT :eek: . For air up, I have a ViAir system that I turn on at the end of the trail and it is ready when I am done. It is the constant duty unit so I can air up others also. Wish I caould have done the Kilby unit tho, Phenominal has one and it is a killer system

[AZG23]

Stauns and C0 2 tank....

[amber.hodge]

famous last words. lol

I still have your A/C switch by the way :)

I'll be at the 5:30/6am CK trail run incase if you guys were going I can hand it over then

Sounds good - between dealing with the idiots at KB over the home loan that we're about to walk on, looking for a last minute home in a 4 mile radius, starting remi on his first day of school next week and helping the neighbor - we are too busy! :eek:

WE want to do Co2 for inflating - Kevin (rockcrlr) got one from a place that will paint it any color you want....but we are running a very hard working and dependable cheapy from harbor freight --- it withstood being submerged in the Gila, I stand by it....

[cross_007]

Thanks for all of the replies so far....for those that use a CO2 tank, do you use your home air compressor to fill the tank before leaving home?

Thanks, Chris

[cross_007]

Hi Desertangel,

What size tires do you have? How long does it take the Costco compressor to air them back up?

Thanks, Chris

I have the 12.99 set from 4 whellers also and than a costco mini compressor for infalting.

[GLEN REAMS]

i pull the valve core with a core remover just dont lose the stem the only day you dont have a air compressor or you will pop beads :D

[azcharlie]

Thanks for all of the replies so far....for those that use a CO2 tank, do you use your home air compressor to fill the tank before leaving home?

Thanks, Chris

You can't fill your own CO2 tank. I get mine filled at Phoenix welding in mesa for around $16 for a 10#tank.

[KennethS]

Hi Desertangel,

What size tires do you have? How long does it take the Costco compressor to air them back up?

Thanks, Chris

I have the same compressor, but I bought mine from Amazon.com before I saw them at Costco. I checked it on my 32" tires, and it took about 4 minutes to go from 5 psi to 35 psi. Not too bad for a $50 portable compressor. I have an old air tank (30 pound freon tank with a Milton gauge/air hose attachment), but I haven't set it up to work with the compressor yet.

[cross_007]

Ahh....gotcha! ;)

Is the benefit of using a CO2 tank that it inflates much faster than say...a little air compressor that plugs into the cig lighter socket? :confused:

Thanks, Chris

You can't fill your own CO2 tank. I get mine filled at Phoenix welding in mesa for around $16 for a 10#tank.

[AZG23]

yes..it fills MUCH faster.....mine fills my 35's from 10lb to 25 in a little over a minute...the air compressor takes around 4-5 minutes each


plus with C02 you can reseat a bead, run air tools, etc..

[KennethS]

The cigarette lighter air compressors will take MUCH LONGER than 4-5 minutes to air up a tire, like around 10-15 minutes or more, and at that level of use they burn up in a hurry. The high volume compressors (Viair, Costco MV-50, etc) are rated at 12 Amps or more so they must connect directly to the battery.

[AZG23]

The cigarette lighter air compressors will take MUCH LONGER than 4-5 minutes to air up a tire, like around 10-15 minutes or more, and at that level of use they burn up in a hurry. The high volume compressors (Viair, Costco MV-50, etc) are rated at 12 Amps or more so they must connect directly to the battery.



true...I have a Harbor Freight compressor as well as the C02 tank...I should have been clearer on what compressor

[desertangel]

Hi Desertangel,

What size tires do you have? How long does it take the Costco compressor to air them back up?

Thanks, Chris

I have 31's and it takes about 3 minutes per tire. That is taking them from 15psi to 40psi. It is pretty quick and it hooks up to your battery not the cigarette lighter.

[Wind_Danzer]

I have the Currie deflator (ARB has one that looks almost like the Currie one) which if I'm quick I can have all 4 tires down from 30 to 8 in 5-6 minutes. I also have the older $12 4 Wheeler special but got them in NJ. :D

As for air, the Harbor Freight compressor has done no wrong for me yet.

[jr4asu]

Well I just run my tires at 15 psi all the time and sometimes air down to 10-12 psi. I use the harbor frieght compressor to fill them back up all at once with this system. It deflates and inflates all at once. I got it from http://jjandaracing.com/ K7mto (matt) uses one and showed it to me.

[Antman]

The cigarette lighter air compressors will take MUCH LONGER than 4-5 minutes to air up a tire, like around 10-15 minutes or more, and at that level of use they burn up in a hurry. The high volume compressors (Viair, Costco MV-50, etc) are rated at 12 Amps or more so they must connect directly to the battery.


Sorry Kenneth, they are rated at 12 volts at 30 amps.

I actually have the Costco one hard mounted and plumbed into my Jeep, along with the HF one in its bag AND a 20# CO2 bottle mounted in the back.
Just a little overkill.:D

[YJunk]

I'm using the oasis tire deflator... I liked the design a little better than stauns...
http://4x4icon.com/offroad/deflators/ttd.jpg

I use a ViAir compressor as well for the fill up...

[KennethS]

DOH! Thanks for correcting me on that - I should know better. It's getting late and I'm tired. Too much work and not enough play this week.

[Antman]

DOH! Thanks for correcting me on that - I should know better. It's getting late and I'm tired. Too much work and not enough play this week.

How well I understand Kenneth, but I have just had a bottle of good wine and stayed at Holiday Inn Express last night.:D

[jporvaz]

I used the $12 4wheeler ones, but now use the Oasis and like them. I air 32's up from 10-35 and takes about 5 minutes for all 4 with CO2. I get it filled at Phx Welding Supply in Mesa for about $16. I also have a Viair that I carry in my tow vehicle.

[ArizonaXJ]

Hi Chris, welcome aboard...

i use the same ones Lance mentioned. The $12 deflaters from 4 wheelers.

Stauns are pretty good, and I have a set that your welcome to have if you want them. I didn't like them cause they fall out of adjustment, can't check the air pressure without removing them first... stuff like that made them more of a hassle than a convenience to me.

Ben

I have the Stauns and love them. Set them and use them. No problems.
For airing back up I have converted my A/C over to OBA and I have 10 gallon tank that it runs to first. Hook up whatever you want to my air and go for it :D

YGOHOME; if you have a set of Stauns that you "want to get rid of"...I know a 17 year old kid that just got his rig up and running and would love to have them. I just gave him a set of 31x10.50 ATs for his truck to help him out since his tires were REALLY, REALLY old. He is all about this sport.

[ijestares]

Hello,

I would like to hear your opinion on the different methods of deflating/inflating tires when you arrive at/leave a trail.

What is your preferred method of deflating/inflating? Do you use Staun Tire Deflators or Alligator Double Seal Valve caps? - If so, why?

If you use Staun Tire Deflators, do you use their regular, light duty, or heavy duty deflators? I have a 99' TJ, and I am wondering which deflator I would use?

If you use Alligator Valve caps, I know they are helpful with inflating tires quickly (since you dont have to use the caps on your tire stems), but can you deflate with them on?

All responses are appreciated. Thanks, Chris:)


OK... seriously is this really a topic?:eek: Well that setteles it... any thing can come up on the this site!!! well of course I'm going to give my 2 cents... after all I just beeotched didnt I???
Ok dude this is what I do. Get to the trail have a barley pop then deflate with my supper expensive air down caps bought from 4 wheelers in Colorado for 12.00. OK so after I crack my pop and have manualy skrewed on all of the caps I walk around with a tire PSI gage and check each stem starting with the first one I put on checking it after the forth I put on. After I have BS'ed with anyone who will listen and have finished my pop ill then take the air down caps off when they have reached 8 PSI. If I ever buck up to buy BL's then I would probebly get down to 3-5 PSI depending on the terrain...
No after I have either finished all the trails on the agenda for the day which rarley happens or break somthing which happens more often then I will inflate with a 20lbs CO2 tank that I have filled about once every 3-4 times I go out wheeling depending on what I break how often I use my pneumatic tools whin I do including airing up... I can go from 8 PSI to 30 PSI about 3 times befor I have to reup on gas.
This is a great way to go on a budget... I got the tank from a next door neighbor who worked at a bar... we traded.. I gave him free cable he hooked me up with a tank... When you go to reup on gas they (the welding supply store of your choice) will usually insepct your tank for I dont know what... then swap yours out with another one of theirs. Sometimes you will get luckey and get one with a handle sometimes not. I recommend getting a fire extinguisher holder and attach it to your rig in an upright position some how.

Note: Make sure that you operate these CO2 bottles in an upright position. The Carbon Dioxide that they put in these tanks is liquid when compresed then turns to gas when the atmospheric PSI changes from inside the bottle to outside... that being said if you operate this tank on its side it will come out in liquid!
Also understand that that when the gas changes from liquid to gas at a rapid pace the gas will tends to cryogenic type phase freezing your regulator your o-ring and or your hose...
Lastly: Understand that these tanks are under PSI... extreme PSI! These tanks can become missiles if the open /close vlve is knocked of either by dropping or striking it against somthing... this is no joke these things can kill you if not properly secured and you roll your junk!
All that aside If your carefull and you no what your doing and secure everything properly you should be great!

All that being said... Any one want to buy a 20lbs tank and a fixed 100 PSI regulator I also have an adjustable regulator?

[ArizonaXJ]

OK... Lastly: Understand that these tanks are under PSI... extreme PSI! These tanks can become missiles if the open /close vlve is knocked of either by dropping or striking it against somthing... this is no joke these things can kill you if not properly secured and you roll your junk!


I have a friend that had an interesting experience with a LARGE tank filled with halon when someone dropped it off of a loading dock and knocked the top off!!!! Those tanks become like sidewinder missles....

[ijestares]

I have a friend that had an interesting experience with a LARGE tank filled with halon when someone dropped it off of a loading dock and knocked the top off!!!! Those tanks become like sidewinder missles....


We are not helping my sell!!! :D

[AZG23]

... we traded.. I gave him free cable he hooked me up with a tank...

your kidding right..?

[Antman]

I also use a 20# tank and made a bracket to hold mine in upright position in the rear of the Jeep. I also have 2 different
air compressors, but like the CO2 the best.

[SavageSun4x4]

I like the Staun's and did a test on them:

http://web.mac.com/donpryor/iWeb/SavageSun%204x4/Jeep%20test%3A%20Staun%20Tire%20Deflators,.html

There is also some good links for airing down etc on the page.

CO2 works great but then you could always run out so you use a electrical compressor which is not as fast but works well unless it fries, then you turn to a engine driven York which is great unless it go POP!

In other words they all have pluses and minuses just pick one you like and have a buddy with a back up.

That said, if your Jeep has AC here is a GREAT solution for under a $100 bucks:

http://web.mac.com/donpryor/iWeb/SavageSun%204x4/TJ%20OBA%20under%20$100,.html

[cross_007]

Yikes! :eek: I don't think that happens with CO2 though...check out below from PowerTank's Q&A section on their website....Thanks, Chris :)

Q: “How safe is a tank of compressed CO2 in a vehicle?”
A: The Power TankTM uses liquid CO2 gas which is an inert, non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable gas. Our aluminum tanks are D.O.T. (Dept. of Transportation) approved. CO2 goes through a phase change from liquid to vapor as it releases its energy. This evaporative process slows the pressure release rate meaning that a CO2 tank will not become a high speed rocket like a scuba tank would in the rare event of a valve decapitation. A Power Tank is as safe as a CO2 fire extinguisher.

Q: “What if the tank is caught in a vehicle fire? Will it explode?”
A: No. There is a built in pressure release cap on all of our main tank valves which releases the pressure well below the burst pressure of the tank if it got too hot.


I have a friend that had an interesting experience with a LARGE tank filled with halon when someone dropped it off of a loading dock and knocked the top off!!!! Those tanks become like sidewinder missles....

[ijestares]

your kidding right..?

no...he needed it to hook up his VCR to his TV... :rolleyes:...

...back to the thread...

[ArizonaXJ]

We are not helping my sell!!! :D

Sorry...you're the one that noted the attention to safety when dealing with one of these.....I wil say this though; my friend had his run in with a LARGE cylinder. One of those halon tanks that goes into the fire supression systems in a building......he could have been seriously injured but since he wasn't it's a halarious story!

[ijestares]

Sorry...you're the one that noted the attention to safety when dealing with one of these.....I wil say this though; my friend had his run in with a LARGE cylinder. One of those halon tanks that goes into the fire supression systems in a building......he could have been seriously injured but since he wasn't it's a halarious story!

ya its all fun in game until someone gets their eye poked out... With a Halon tank!!!:D

That was all just my disclaimer... now thats all said and done... someone make me a freakin offer!!:p

[treeofliberty]

I use the Stauns to air down, and a York system to air up. I torqued the Stauns with a plier to keep them tightly adjusted. My York system also powers my air horns, for the twits on the road.

[bearlycontained]

Same here ol school valve stem remover. Have onboard air powered by york A/C compressor w/10 gal tank to fill up. also used to run air tools.

[Tom Schenk]

Cheapest route: do nothing. Now that you know who all has deflators and OBA, just go wheeling with them and borrow theirs. :)