Which is the better compressor hose?

[Jonatan]

On this topic. Where can I buy a loose pressure gauge online with a 4 bar max scale? Almost all have a 12 bar max, which is useless when trying to accurately pump the tyres. I want to replace the one on my 12v compressor. Im guessing the compressor has a BSP thread, but could be NPT, any way to easily check?

I only trust WIKA gauges to be accurate.


https://shop.wika.com/en-za/pressure_gauges.WIKA

[mikeml]

Just some real world feedback: I just struggled with the yellow coiled hose for the last time.

My compressor is about 17 years old and have always been stored in the storage box under my seat. It's a Land Rover 110.

So no UV exposure.

A few years ago the pipe broke at the one fitting. I fixed it and forgot about it.
Today I had to recover a friend. The pipe kept on splitting at the end fittings.

I know if I used it more often I would have fixed it sooner.
Well it's fixed now.

The first thing I ditched with my TMax lookalike compressor was the yellow PVC piping. When old, it can split like mentioned above, but more importantly, it is not rated under 0 degC. Plus, like someone mentioned above, pull it (stretch) to a tyre, and you can't put it down without it retracting automatically. The screw on valve fitting is also not ideal - wastes time and air - clip-on is the way to go.

You can still go plastic if you want to save space, but then go for proper pneumatic piping, like Polyethylene plastic tubing, which is rated -40 to +60 degC. I opted for the tried and tested rubber tubing from proper pneumatic suppliers, which does not perish when in the sun. I had a 5m length, which I could coil up and fit in the supplied bag for the indeflate piping. This bag hardly uses more space than the yellow coiled pvc cable.

One of the last things you need in the bush, especially for solo travel, is a failing compressor or compressor hose, without backup.

[Peter Connan]

Im guessing the compressor has a BSP thread, but could be NPT, any way to easily check?

They have different thread pitches on most sizes, so a simple thread pitch gauge will tell you.
On the sizes where the thread pitch is the same they are effectively interchangeable (yes, I know BSP has a 55 degree thread angle whereas NPT is 60 degree but on brass fittings at such low pressures it just doesn't matter).

[Jonatan]

A standard compressor typically has 2 meters of wire with crocodile clips. I have
lengthened mine to 6 meter so that the compressor can be placed at any wheel and only a short hose is needed. The wire size stayed at 6mm2. (Compressors are never used at the 10 bar design pressure and max current)

The croc clips were cut off with 200mm of wire and a BH connector was inserted there. In reality, the short crocBH wire has seen more use than the compressor (on other people's vehicles in emergencies)

I don't actually use the gauge section of the typical hose, I use my other trusty portable pressure gauge.

The little knobbie under the gauge also takes strain. Had one where the tiny head unscrewed and got lost with the tiny spring. Never used it in any case, but glad I caught it at home where I could plug the hole permanently.

(I have 2 compressors in the family)

[Jonatan]

They have different thread pitches on most sizes, so a simple thread pitch gauge will tell you.
On the sizes where the thread pitch is the same they are effectively interchangeable (yes, I know BSP has a 55 degree thread angle whereas NPT is 60 degree but on brass fittings at such low pressures it just doesn't matter).

Between the various plastic/rubber hoses lying around here, there are at least 2 thread sizes on the gauges. The replacement hoses from 4x4direct (Badger brand) have the smallest gauge threads.

[Viertrek]

A standard compressor typically has 2 meters of wire with crocodile clips. I have
lengthened mine to 6 meter so that the compressor can be placed at any wheel and only a short hose is needed. The wire size stayed at 6mm2

This is the better way for me as well. The longer wire takes less space than a lengthy hose and a troublesome wire is easier to fix than a hose.

[breyts]

My yellow one also became brittle after about 15 years. I bought this:
https://www.adendorff.co.za/mac-afri...ring-ahoses015

The 15m is way too long, so I cut it in half and fitted the same fittings from the yellow pipe to the blue one. It works perfectly.
If it doesn't last, I have the other half as spare. The blue pipe feels a lot more flexible than the yellow one. It says it is made from polyurethane - so hopefully will last.

[Jonatan]

Today I was given a 140 l/min compressor with a broken yellow coiled hose. Which is the better replacement:?

https://4x4direct.co.za/compressors/...caAv3TEALw_wcB

Attachment 740426

Or:

https://www.bobshop.co.za/compressor...UaAnxuEALw_wcB

Attachment 740447

The same type as original?

The curly yellow version has a positive screw connection to the wheel valve. The rubber pipe version above has a spring clip connection, which I have never used before.

Learnt in Lesotho today that the spring clip connection, as supplied by 4x4direct.co.za above, is not up to the task. It leaks just while carrying the weight of the connecting hose. Will modify back to screw on type.

And the pressure gauge was broken after 10km of bad road. Reading peaks at 1.1 bar while my other trusted gauges show 2 to 2.5 bar.

That was a junk purchase!