Gadgets and Gizmos

A couple months back, I noticed a small-but-consistent leak on one of my tires. Took it to the Tire Place, who duly noted the issue, then dismounted + tanked the wheel to diagnose

Took 'em a while . . . but they found a small, v slow leak coming from the inside sidewall, a few millimeters outside of the rim. I asked about a repair --- 'sidewall? = f*ck no' . . . and was offered a prorated replacement. I'm about 40k mi into this set of tires, and I wasn't about to replace just one, so I thanked 'em for their trouble and resolved to just air-up as required. Car has TPMS, sooo . . .

Well, after about a week of checking on + stressing over 5 lbs of air pressure, I did some searching for a cordless portable tire inflator

(Yeah --- it's a thing . . . and there are a TON of 'em!)

Anyway, I settled on this little gizmo. Not the smallest, quietest, or cheapest, but claims it'll pump up to 75 psi (as if I'll ever need that). Can be digitally set to deliver a certain pressure, but I prefer to check/verify with my analog gauge. Comes with attachments for bikes and balls. Even has a cord to plug into a dash receptical

So, now I take a few minutes on Sunday evenings to check the pressures, then air-up as required --- usually only a few pounds + maybe 20 seconds/tire?. Oddly satisfying. Costs ~$100 including the charger . . .

. . . and is now part of my 'go-bag'




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I’ll add. In normal font size and black so it’s easy to read

If you add the rigid 1/2 drive impact driver that uses the same battery you will have a great setup for roadside emergency repair and track day shenanigans

https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/octane-...-impact-wrench


This thing can break loose lights installed by the largest monkeys on the planet. I’m very impressed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blucille

. . . If you add the rigid 1/2 drive impact driver that uses the same battery you will have a great setup for roadside emergency repair and track day shenanigans . . .

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Yeah --- one of Ridgid's selling points: 1 batt pack fits all their stuff. And they have a 4 ah battery pack that I might pick-up --- but only in case I get a total flat tire . . . like on my truck

Meanwhile, I can still change a tire the old-fashioned road-side way in <15 min. But I was always missing a pump



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Remote area.. interstate off ramp, snow, cold, wind, tire near 8 - 10 lbs.

Adrenaline rush :


Attachment 611776

Oh. And the tire pump comes with a cigarette lighter (remember those) power plug connector so you never have to worry much about running out of power.