DIY digital presssure guage

Fishery Pokery · 29 April 2010, 21:20

Hi Guys,

Thought I would post an idea I came up with last night whilst trying to cobble up an accurate way of measuring air pressure within my tubes. I have posted it in here as this is where I have received the most help.
This particular way is for a boat with A7 valves.
I am sure there will be a few variations on this, and others may know of a more accurate way of checking pressure, but this is mine.

Picture one; What you will need. Grips, Spanner, LCD tyre pressure guage, 15mm compression straight, PTFE Tape (optional, but I like using it), a Schrader valve and an A7 valve deflator attachment.

Fishery Pokery · 29 April 2010, 21:21

Picture one; The deflation attachment. This fits A7 valves, and is the same as an iflation valve, but with a spring to depress the valve plunger. I got it from here... http://www.polymarine.com/products/p...%5B1991%5D.cfm £4.99

Picture two; Schrader valve. I got this from here... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT £1.50

Fishery Pokery · 29 April 2010, 21:22

Picture one; Take the compression nut off the straight connector and slide it over the Schrader valve. You can discard the olive for this side of the connector.

Picture two; Tighten compression nut onto straight. This requires very little pressure, I did mine little more than finger tight.

Picture three; PTFE tape second olive. This is optional, but I like to do it. Hold the olive between thumb and finger and wrap around it a few times.

Picture four; Olive wrapped with PTFE, ready to go together.

Fishery Pokery · 29 April 2010, 21:24

Picture one; Put the compression nut over the outlet of the deflate adaptor...

Picture two; ...followed by the olive.

Picture three; Tighten the connector onto the deflate adaptor using the spanner and grips. Try to keep the fitting as close to the deflate adaptors shoulder as possible.

Fishery Pokery · 29 April 2010, 21:26

Picture one; The finished article.

Picture two; Rady to use with an LCD tyre pressure guage. My one shows bar or PSI to one decimal place.

Insert the adaptor into your valve, remove the Schrader cap and measure!
Hope you like this. If you can think of improvements, please post.

chewy · 29 April 2010, 21:31

Why wrap the olive with thread tape?

Fishery Pokery · 29 April 2010, 21:52

I just like to, one of my quirks. I have never had a joint leak after doing this.
But as I said, its optional.

m chappelow · 29 April 2010, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Why wrap the olive with thread tape?

Coz hes a gas engineer,,

chewy · 29 April 2010, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

Coz hes a gas engineer,,

Enlighten me.

m chappelow · 29 April 2010, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Enlighten me.

He will have boxes of the stuff !,,lol,,i think its a good idea though ,,saves him kicking the tubes ,

chewy · 29 April 2010, 22:02

And heres me thinking I was missing something!

paul tilley · 30 April 2010, 05:29

not very accurate is it .my gauge measures to one 700th of a psi

9D280 · 30 April 2010, 08:49

Cool idea -

my one question is, bearing in mind all you need is the sun to come out / go behind a cloud and the pressure will change slightly - or assuming you just checked toob pressure on the trailer and then launch, is such an accurate gauge really necessary?

paul tilley · 30 April 2010, 09:11

yes if your making and testing the tubes ,but when fitted and in use i have never used a gauge

Fishery Pokery · 30 April 2010, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul tilley

not very accurate is it .my gauge measures to one 700th of a psi

Seeing as you manafacture tubes, I would hope you would be using something more accurate than a tyre guage.
I don't think this will set the inflatable boat manafacturers world alight, it was aimed at someone who just wants to check there tube pressures.
I am sure there are many who can guage with an educated slap if there pressures are right, but there are some ( me included) who can't.
If you find it hard to guage pressures, and like the idea of this, have a go.
If you don't have a problem guaging pressure, or manafacture boats, don't.

paul tilley · 30 April 2010, 12:16

Geoff i do think your gauge is a good idea,were you not offered an adaptor with a thread in it as they are or were available

Sharkbyte · 30 April 2010, 17:15

How many Ribnet members does it take to change a lightbulb?

Half a dozen to debate the merits of changing it in the first place, another half dozen eccentric light bulb fanciers to argue over the oxygen content of the wire filament......and one who just goes ahead and does it.

Job's a goodun!

Poxy Internet.

Sharkbyte · 30 April 2010, 17:18

Sorry, Geoff.

Meant to say, 'good job', after my rant. ;-)

thornbackflound · 30 April 2010, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharkbyte

How many Ribnet members does it take to change a lightbulb?

Half a dozen to debate the merits of changing it in the first place, another half dozen eccentric light bulb fanciers to argue over the oxygen content of the wire filament......and one who just goes ahead and does it.

Job's a goodun!

Poxy Internet.

Sharkbyte ,Like it,lol,well done Geoff for being so Inovative

Fishery Pokery · 30 April 2010, 20:21

Thanks guys.
It might be a bit naff, but I wanted to post something which might help others, instead of just taking knowledge of the forum as I normally do.
Geoff