Shellshock's DIY inflator / deflator

I built this over a year ago when I first saw the indeflate in one of Ronny Dahls videos. As everyone knows, all the cool stuff in Australia is nearly impossible to get in the states, costs a fortune or takes forever to ship so I set out to build my own.

I've used a lot over the last year and it has worked flawlessly. I think its a must have for anyone frequently airing up / down. It makes quick work of the process as you can do 2 tires at a time and will also equalize the pressure between the two tires so on a truck with TMPS readout, the pressures are the same side to side and your OCD is happy.

This could easily be adapted to do all 4 tires at once if desired. I went with 2 as it is a much more compact package and I frequently run different pressures front and rear or use it on trailers I have.

Last time I used this, I aired up 2 trucks (8 tires total) from 20-25 PSI to 35 PSI in <10 minutes.

Here's what the finished product looks like (Version 1)

In use


Parts list:

$14 Haltec H-5265 Standard Bore Lock-On Air Chuck,Gold

2x Air chuck

$6 Anderson Metals - 06232-04 06232 Brass Pipe Fitting, Forged Tee, 1/4" NPT Male x 1/4" NPT Male x 1/4" NPT Male Pipe

1x NPT Tee fitting

$8 Anderson Metals - 56103-04 Brass Pipe Fitting, Coupling, 1/4" x 1/4" Female Pipe

1x Female Female fitting

$17 Flexzilla Swivel Whip Air Hose, 3/8 in. x 6 ft. (1/4" MNPT Ball Swivel x 1/4" FNPT Ends), Heavy Duty, Lightweight, Hybrid, ZillaGreen - HFZ3806YW2B

3x Flexzilla 6 foot whips

Optional parts & accessories

$24 ColorConnex Coupler & Plug Kit, Industrial Type D, 1/4" NPT, Red, 14-Piece - A73458D

Coupler kit

$94 Flexzilla Inflator Kit with 3 ft. and 15 ft. Quick Connect Hose, Lock-On Chuck (0-170 PSI) - AL2025FZ-2

Flexzilla combo inflator kit
BROG Offroad Air tools Bag

LASCO 11-1033 PTFE Pipe Sealant Tape, 1/2" x 100", White

Teflon Tape

Assembly process is pretty simple, it is just a matter of wrapping the male fittings in teflon tape, then tightening the connection. I cut the rubber things off 2 of the flexzilla hoses so that it rolled up a little better for storage.

I used closed valve air chucks. This means when you disconnect from the tire, the system is now closed and pressure will remain in the line. I originally used some other ones and they were tearing up my valve stems and I was having to fight with them to get them to stay connected. Since switching to the ones I use now, I've had no issue as they grab in 3 spots and are very secure. The swivel hose also helps to keep from accidentally moving them around and pulling them off while you are connecting things.

You could swap the hoses out for something cheaper but these have proven to be very durable and remain flexible even in the cold temps. I've used them at -25 and they are just as flexible as they are now in the summer time which is worth the couple extra dollars to me.

Ronny Dahls Video that inspired the build


My kit packed up in the BROG bag with ARB tire repair kit

 

Version 2 - 2020-10-20

Here's my updated version. I used the clamps @tonered likes. It made for a bit more compact package and it coils up a little nicer. The regulator is also a nice addition.. because im lazy. Set it and forget it.

@tonered fancy clamper

$25 Aircraft Tool Supply Safety Lock Wire (.041)

Safety wire

$70 Clamptite CLT01 4 3/4" Stainless Steel Tool with Aluminum Bronze T-Bar Nut

Claptite CLT01

Hose and fittings

$32 PneumaticPlus PPR2-N02BG-4 Miniature Air Pressure Regulator 1/4" NPT - Gauge, Bracket, Low Pressure (3-60 PSI)

0-60 PSI Regulator

Horiznext Brass Hose Splicer Fitting, Tee, 3/8" x 3/8" x 3/8" Hose ID Barbed

T Fitting

$14 Haltec H-5265 Standard Bore Lock-On Air Chuck,Gold

2x Haltec Chucks

$13 Flexzilla Pro Air Hose Reusable Fitting with Ball Swivel, 3/8 in. - RP900375BS

2x Flexzilla pro fittings

$24 ColorConnex Coupler & Plug Kit, Industrial Type D, 1/4" NPT, Red, 14-Piece - A73458D

Air fittings

$35 Flexzilla Pro Air Hose, 3/8 in. x 50 ft., Heavy Duty, Lightweight, Hybrid, ZillaGreen - HFZP3850YW2

Flexzilla pro air hose

$17 Control Devices P2525-1WA Brass Ball Check Valve, 1/4" NPT Female x NPT Male

1/4 NPT Check valve

You'll need approximately 18 feet of hose. I use 6 feet in all 3 directions, but feel free to adjust as you like. I would recommend a span of at least 12 feet and the tail can be whatever length you want.




version 3 w/ 1/4” hose
@tonered fancy clamper
Safety wire
Claptite CLT01

$33 Flexzilla Pro Air Hose, 1/4 in. x 50 ft., Heavy Duty, Lightweight, Hybrid, ZillaGreen - HFZP1450YW2

Flexzilla pro 1/4" hose

$10 Flexzilla Pro Air Hose Reusable Fitting with Ball Swivel, 1/4 in. - RP900250BS

Flexzilla 1/4" swivel fitting

$7 Nigo Industrial Co. 3-Way Tee Brass Hose Fitting, 1/4" x 1/4" x 1/4" ID Hose Barb Pipe Fitting (Pack of 3)

1/4" t fitting

$14 Haltec H-5265 Standard Bore Lock-On Air Chuck,Gold

2x haltec chucks

$94 Flexzilla Inflator Kit with 3 ft. and 15 ft. Quick Connect Hose, Lock-On Chuck (0-170 PSI) - AL2025FZ-2

flexzilla combo inflator





4 tire version

 

I've seen a similar set up back in the early 90's

 

Looks like you did a good job on the assembly! Love a good DIY project.

What I don't understand about a product such as this setup is the WHY? Expedition portal did a study and found out it is slower by quite a bit actually.

https://expeditionportal.com/indeflate-tire-inflator-deflator-and-equalizer/

I get the OCD thing, but it is the same amount of air required, provided at the same CFM as a single chuck setup. So the only difference is the fact that you have to spend more time fussing with hoses.

 

When I originally put it together, I primarily did it for the equalization from side to side. Doing it manually it seemed like I was always 33,34,34,35 (you get the idea). I used 6 foot hoses (instead of 10 foot on the indeflate) so I can basically just grab it out of the bag, hold it up and they fall to the ground and can be connected.

I've been going to do a time comparison but I've never gotten around to actually doing it. I will say that in group trips I've done, I've typically been done before others for what its worth (theres a lot of variables to account for such as tire size etc).

 

One of the guys I roll with every once in a while has a pair of "Outback Extreme" compressors and a 3 gal tank under the bed.

Fills 4x 37s in the time it takes for me to fill 2x 32s with my ARB single.

 

Reserved for review

 

If you ever want sacrifice using your AC to keep you cool an AC compressor is basically a belt driven air pump . I used to have a 68 M38A1 Jeep that I modified an old York AC compressor . This allowed me to have 120 psi air pressure and with a storage tank able to run air tools

Also fill up tires quickly even reseat a blown bead . I had 1/2" air hose quick connections at the front and rear of my jeep


Here's a vid I found .....

https://youtu.be/UxjCDfjyYiA

 

Yeah exactly. I think it's nicer too with the flexzilla hoses instead of the cheapo ones that come with most stuff out there. This whole thing can be had for $75 instead of $200+ for the "overland" ones.

 

oddly enough those are actually the ones I started with before switching to the ones I'm using now. They worked pretty well until a couple of my valve stems started to get chewed up and I was having to fiddle with them to get them to hold.

 

Here you go @St.Germain

Enjoy!

 

100% recommend. Using the same setup. Quick, easy, cheap.

 

thanks very much. weekend mini project to go with the Canada GP.

 

Amazon Prime. this was here this morning! (inflator kit not till next week though).

that's the good foot btw

 

Nice write up! Order placed

 

nice!

We are gonna be up in double digits of these in the wild before long!

 

Aw crap! I gave you all the cred offline.

I deviated slightly because I just enjoy this tool:
https://www.wirecare.com/category/t...4-3-4-stainless-steel-aluminum-tool-w-wingnut

It makes sweet little wire clamps out of baling wire, safety wire, or whatever. The HF Diablo hoses were both cheap and easy to mod for this. I already had a 25ft'er for getting air from my tank in the bed mount to all four wheels.

I used this inflator, since the one the @Shellshock linked was in the $90 region when I was looking:

$25 AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge with Inflator(3-250 PSI 0.1 for Display Resolution), Heavy Duty Air Chuck and Compressor Accessories with Rubber Hose and Quick Connect Coupler, Blue

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07528LFCT

It reports to 0.1psi and has 1/4 NPT on both ends. You don't need to touch anything to get a reading, just apply air pressure to the end, same as a dial gauge.

I would say to not deviate from those killer air chucks. They make for fast work and no air loss putting them on or yanking them off.

I did redo this connection to point the tee inward for better packing:


Only scuba for me:







I also realized that I needed a presta connection for our bikes. The HF Diablo hose was the same ID / OD as my handpump, so:

 

Thank you @Shellshock. I have been looking for something like this and hated the prices. I also love that it will deflate and inflate. Not just deflate. This is a top notch kit and I love the DYI part of it.