Digital tyre pressure gauges

[FormulaFG]

I couldn't find a thread dedicated to it so I figured I start this one.

I'm after a digital tyre pressure gauge to keep in the glove box to keep the servo pumps honest. I've had a look on ebay and there are just so many to choose from I wouldn't know where to start.

Does anyone have any experience with any of them or know for a fact any particular one that is accurate? The Michelin ones look okay:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/151587778...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/151413879...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/151592553...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[mik]

hmm i dunno mate, but i prefer the cheap pencil type mechanical ones, i do not think they are as prone to lose accuracy if they are dropped as more expensive types, and i get a fairly consistent reading every time, and i have a heap of them laying around the place and in the cars because they are simply made and cheap to buy, if i lose one i dont give a toss .
the electronic ones require a battery, on that basis alone they could let you down, that is my 2 bobs worth anyway. .

[Sioso]

I agree with mik, we have two digital bathroom scales and three digital thermometers at home and there readings are all over the place.
I imagine a digital tyre pressure gauge would be similiar.
I'll take mechanical over digital any day.

[simon varley]

its more important that the relative pressures front/back and left/right are correct than they are absolutely spot on. Especially as you should measure them cold - and by the time you've got to the servo they are warm. For the car I'm perfectly happy to trust the servo machine.

for the pumping the bike at home however, SCA have this http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...ecommendations

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by FormulaFG

I couldn't find a thread dedicated to it so I figured I start this one.

Are you sure......

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...pressure+gauge

[aufalco]

I picked up a Kincrome digital one from Bunnings not long ago for $20 to keep in the glovebox seems to work pretty good. Tested it against a few of the local servos with the digital pumps and the servo ones all seem to be out by atleast 1-2 psi either way. The Kincrome seems more reliable then most the servo ones.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by simon varley

its more important that the relative pressures front/back and left/right are correct than they are absolutely spot on. Especially as you should measure them cold - and by the time you've got to the servo they are warm.

Which is why its better to have your own compressor and inflator at home rather than doing it at the servo.

And you'll be surprised at the difference between tyre pressures when one side of the car has the sun shining on them. So its best to check them while the car is still in the garage before driving it out.

[Ippy289XP]

I work in the calibration industry and have been calibrating pressure gauges for years.

Digital gauges are by far the most accurate gauges you can buy.

The only problem is that you need to be able to re-calibrate them.

The sensors in these digital tyre gauges are cheap, full scale accuracy would be around 1%

For example if the sensor was a 60psi sensor with 1% accuracy, any measurement made would be +/- 0.6psi.

Dial gauge accuracy is even worse.

Good digital sensors can be calibrated by adjusting the span.

Any decent digital gauge to cover tyre pressure range would be over $900.

Don't fill you tyres with air anyway, use nitrogen.

The molecule's are bigger and will not pass through the rubber and temperature effects are greatly reduced.

I have nitrogen in my tyres, pressure has not changed in over 6 months.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by Ippy289XP

I work in the calibration industry and have been calibrating pressure gauges for years.

Digital gauges are by far the most accurate gauges you can buy.

The only problem is that you need to be able to re-calibrate them.

The sensors in these digital tyre gauges are cheap, full scale accuracy would be around 1%

For example if the sensor was a 60psi sensor with 1% accuracy, any measurement made would be +/- 0.6psi.

Dial gauge accuracy is even worse.

Good digital sensors can be calibrated by adjusting the span.

Any decent digital gauge to cover tyre pressure range would be over $900.

Don't fill you tyres with air anyway, use nitrogen.

The molecule's are bigger and will not pass through the rubber and temperature effects are greatly reduced.

I have nitrogen in my tyres, pressure has not changed in over 6 months.

I think working in the calibration industry has somewhat messed with your sense of reality, no one will spend $900 on a gauge to just to check tyre pressure in teh family bus, and really it's not that important that .6 of a PSI would be considered inaccurate.

I use a dial gauge that gives a repeatable reading, and cost around $20, plenty good enough to ensure your tire pressure is right.

Personally I would stay away from digital gauges for the reasons already mentioned.

[Ippy289XP]

A $20 pressure gauge would be out by as much as 3-4psi

[Express]

Originally Posted by Ippy289XP

A $20 pressure gauge would be out by as much as 3-4psi

What do you actually mean by cheap gauges being inaccurate?

If that means all the tyres will be out by the same amount I don’t see the problem.

I have different rim sizes and different profile tyres on different cars and therefore use different pressures from car to car.

I have my own compressor with a cheap gauge fitted and I evaluate and adjust the pressures until they feel the way I want and then I stick to that psi.

It doesn’t matter that the psi reading is wrong as long as it is doesn’t fluctuate.

[Silver Ghia]

Over the years I've had several tyre pressure gauges, and found that after some use I became to realise the ones that were inaccurate and/ or inconsistent, and not to be relied upon. The pencil ones were the worst. However the important thing as mentioned is for the gauge to give consistent readings each time a measurement is taken, even if the measurement number may be 1 psi or so out. So tyres are evenly inflated each side. And slow leakages are detected.

I just use the linear type gauge thats on my Jamec Pem inflator which I have had for some years now, which gives very consistent measurements each time. Variations in readings are generally due to changes in ambient temperatures, and over a period of time due to normal tyre pressure dissipation. I get a good feel for the pressures expected each time I check them, so if something is amiss I can then look further.

My tyres consistently wear evenly across the treads at the pressures maintained at home on all four vehicles garaged. The FG original Dunlop tyres are now at 58000kms, still with good tread, so who cares if the gauge is one psi or so out, the gauge readings are consistent and is keeping the tyres at the optimum pressures. Whether the tyres are at 37 or 38 psi, it doesn't matter really, but I know all 4 tyres are at the same pressure I've always kept them at for nearly 5 years on that car. I do suspect the gauge on that inflator is pretty accurate however.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by ratter

Does it matter, somebody that judges another by the car they drive is a fool

Exactly my point, my $20 gauge will give the same reading every time if I check pressure on a given tire, so it is consistently accurate, I don't really worry about he actual number too much, it's only a reference, I use 220Kpa on my 4x4 for example on my gauge and tires wear well.

My gauge also corresponds to most service station gauges, give or take a bit, but I always use my own gauge, I also have a compressor and adjust tire pressure at home.

I think spending any more than $50 on a tire pressure gauge would be a waste of time/money unless you are a race team or similar.

[Ippy289XP]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

Exactly my point, my $20 gauge will give the same reading every time if I check pressure on a given tire, so it is consistently inaccurate

I fixed your post, yes it gives the same reading every time.

The same inaccurate reading.

I have one of these, I use it to check tyres, compression and manifold vacuum.
It also does temp.

http://www.maximator.com.au/products...ure-gauge.aspx

[PHawk]

My SRT has it built in...very handy, told me it was down in the R Rear, sure enough had a nail in it before it went totally flat.

[mik]

very handy.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Ippy289XP

A $20 pressure gauge would be out by as much as 3-4psi

if you are in F1, or even v8's, then for sure, 3-4psi could mke a difference, but for the average family bus its neither here nor there.

i use an old style analogue guage that i got free with a set of tyres once a long time ago. i have my own compressor so can check and adjust pressures at home.

tyre wear is even, so thats all that matters really.

[Express]

Originally Posted by Ippy289XP

I fixed your post, yes it gives the same reading every time.

The same inaccurate reading.

I have one of these, I use it to check tyres, compression and manifold vacuum.
It also does temp.

http://www.maximator.com.au/products...ure-gauge.aspx

Is that a $600 or $2,000 gauge? When I googled it I couldn’t tell which it was.

If you tell us your stockist, maybe we can get a group buy going.

Having read up on them I don’t dispute their accuracy and I would guess like all highly tuned measuring instruments they would need to be sent away at predetermined intervals for professional calibration as required by every measuring instrument with that degree of performance level.

A great little gauge but seriously an overkill for the home enthusiasts in my books.

[Express]

Originally Posted by PHawk

My SRT has it built in...very handy, told me it was down in the R Rear, sure enough had a nail in it before it went totally flat.

This type of inbuilt system is a great way to tell you there is a deflation problem and every car should have them for their safety value.

But when it warns you on the run something is wrong you still need an independent gauge to check your pressure levels.

[PHawk]

Originally Posted by Express

This type of inbuilt system is a great way to tell you there is a deflation problem and every car should have them for their safety value.

But when it warns you on the run something is wrong you still need an independent gauge to check your pressure levels.

It's either holding pressure or it's not, my gauge will warn you if the pressure is going down by a tyre warning light in the dash so you don't even have to check the pressures, when you start the car if the tyre warning light comes on and it doesn't go out then you go into the tyre menu to see what tyre is going flat, very handy!! :o)

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by Ippy289XP

I fixed your post, yes it gives the same reading every time.

The same inaccurate reading.

I have one of these, I use it to check tyres, compression and manifold vacuum.
It also does temp.

http://www.maximator.com.au/products...ure-gauge.aspx

Seriously what would be the point of it, and how would owning one improve the life of the average motorist??

How will it help me dropping the kids off at school and getting the groceries or even driving to work?? How is it in any way value for money that will somehow pay for itself in my day to day life.

Using that gauge to check the tire pressure in my car would be like weighing my food to 0.001 of a gram or measuting my back yard to the nearest .1 of a mm, absolutely pointless

[Express]

Originally Posted by PHawk

It's either holding pressure or it's not, my gauge will warn you if the pressure is going down by a tyre warning light in the dash so you don't even have to check the pressures, when you start the car if the tyre warning light comes on and it doesn't go out then you go into the tyre menu to see what tyre is going flat, very handy!! :o)

I have TPMS on a couple of my cars as well.

They are a requirement on new cars sold in the US.

You can also buy aftermarket setups with sensors and monitor if you wish to fit one.

What I meant was when the system warns you of a problem you still need a gauge when you top up to correct the pressures.

At least I do.

I had a problem with a runflat, the system told me, the leaking valve was replaced, air was put back into the tyre with a gauge to monitor the refill and then the system checked and confirmed everything was ok.

Does yours do this or does it monitor the refill in real time and while you fill the tyre do you have to run back and forth to check the reading on the dash?

[PHawk]

Yeah Mate, takes a few Km's after a refill to register, you still need to top up the air in the usual manner, this system just warns you when you tyre is going flat.

[GT450]

With all the advances in automotive equipment you are arguing over tyre pressure gauges?? Check your tyres cold , most gauges give a constant reading so if it's out by say 2psi then it's always out by that amount and you will be fine. I have never worried and used the SAME gauge EVERY time i check so at least i have consistency.
My GT i run at 38/40 minimum my Mazda at 35/36 cold and its now up to 92,000 kms on it' original tyres.
My point is i have never seen mechanical gauges give incosistent readings so using the same one will keep your car at the same psi constantly. Any gauge that relies on power for a reading can be the complete opposite depending on battery power. Get a pencil or dail gauge set the pressure, check the readings weeklyand you will be fine. Absolutely no need for any huge outlay evr.
GT450

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

I use this one and find it easy to use as it holds the reading and it appears be very consistent, ie I can get the same reading time after time. I think I bought it when it was half price on special one day as I recall paying around $20-25 for it.

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...ecommendations

It gets one of the highest ratings here as well:

https://www.choice.com.au/transport/...pressure-gauge

[Grum]

Originally Posted by Ippy289XP

Don't fill you tyres with air anyway, use nitrogen.

The molecule's are bigger and will not pass through the rubber and temperature effects are greatly reduced.

I have nitrogen in my tyres, pressure has not changed in over 6 months.

LOL, What a load of dribble. Are you filling your tyres from vacuum? If not the 'air' already in the tire is ~18-20% oxygen with about ~78-80% nitrogen.

The reason compressed nitrogen is used in Motorsport applications is that it is an inert gas (unlike oxygen) and has no moisture content (unlike compressed atmosphere). In most cases, tyres are first filled with compressed but dried atmosphere and later pressured with nitrogen for convenience (it comes out of a bottle).

Once heat cycled a tyre will normalise to a point where most factors are negligible to non existent. From this point a road tyre should be regularly checked anyway which is near impossible for the DIY owner to do with nitrogen. Don't waste your money at a tyre shop.

[Ippy289XP]

Originally Posted by Grum

LOL, What a load of dribble. Are you filling your tyres from vacuum? If not the 'air' already in the tire is ~18-20% oxygen with about ~78-80% nitrogen.

The reason compressed nitrogen is used in Motorsport applications is that it is an inert gas (unlike oxygen) and has no moisture content (unlike compressed atmosphere). In most cases, tyres are first filled with compressed but dried atmosphere and later pressured with nitrogen for convenience (it comes out of a bottle).

Once heat cycled a tyre will normalise to a point where most factors are negligible to non existent. From this point a road tyre should be regularly checked anyway which is near impossible for the DIY owner to do with nitrogen. Don't waste your money at a tyre shop.

Yes they are filled from vacuum, and like I didn't know nitrogen comes in a bottle.

Why is my post a load of dribble?

Nitrogen is very cheap, I have a G bottle in my shed.

And who said a tyre shop did this for me, I do it myself.

It's not hard.

[damo6]

I check my tyres cold with one of those $20 digital kingchrome jobbies.ive found it to be within 1-2 psi + or - of my tyre inflator which i had calibrated (accuracy compared with several others) at my local tyre shop.

[Franco Cozzo]

I've just got the servo spec Jamec Pem tyre inflator, except mine has never been dropped.

Not digital but for around $100-odd she does a good job and is accurate.

[NTF6]

Originally Posted by damo6

I check my tyres cold with one of those $20 digital kingchrome jobbies.ive found it to be within 1-2 psi + or - of my tyre inflator which i had calibrated (accuracy compared with several others) at my local tyre shop.

I got one about 20 years ago from dick smith, ten years later the battery went flat so I took it back and they replaced it for free and it's still going strong today, don't even have to turn it on, it just fires up as soon as you put it on the valve. I keep it in my glove box and have tested it against many others over the years and there hasn't been much difference.