Comments on: Reader Find: Percy’s Tire Pressure Equalizers

by: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Finds: Equal-Air’s Psiclops Pro15

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 16:40:29 +0000

[...] One of the guys from Equal-Air posted a comment this morning on our writeup of their competitor’s product, Percy’s tire pressure equalizers. While obviously he’s interested in selling his unit, he was gracious in the comment and did have some interesting things to say regarding some of the suggestions made by other readers, specifically a 4-hose version: “Hey guys. As a matter of practical experience, I have to tell you that we (Equal Air Inc.) have been playing around with this concept for years. Many years ago, we were building off-road tools called Equal Air Off-Road. The EA Off-Road started in prototype identically to one of the replies here, with 4 hoses with 4 quick chucks, a central 6″ aluminum maninifold, a ball valve, schrader valve (for putting pressure in) and a gauge. In theory, this is fine, but let me tell you it is a PAIN to use. Four hoses are a real octopus and take up a LOT of space. None-the-less, we used it in the field. It turns out that it was only practical for rough pressure tuning because we keep the front tire pressures about 2 lbs. greater than the rears (to help support the engine weight). The decision was made to make a 2-hose model instead and that’s how the EA Off-Road was born. We made a few for our friends who used and shared them with others, then we went into production. Bottom line advice regarding 4 hoses connected at a manifold….DON’T DO IT..IT’S A MAJOR PAIN TO MANAGE.” [...]

by: EA Guy

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 16:16:19 +0000

Hey guys. As a matter of practical experience, I have to tell you that we (Equal Air Inc.) have been playing around with this concept for years. Many years ago, we were building off-road tools called Equal Air Off-Road. The EA Off-Road started in prototype identically to one of the replies here, with 4 hoses with 4 quick chucks, a central 6″ aluminum maninifold, a ball valve, schrader valve (for putting pressure in) and a gauge. In theory, this is fine, but let me tell you it is a PAIN to use. Four hoses are a real octopus and take up a LOT of space. None-the-less, we used it in the field. It turns out that it was only practical for rough pressure tuning because we keep the front tire pressures about 2 lbs. greater than the rears (to help support the engine weight). The decision was made to make a 2-hose model instead and that’s how the EA Off-Road was born. We made a few for our friends who used and shared them with others, then we went into production. Bottom line advice regarding 4 hoses connected at a manifold….DON’T DO IT..IT’S A MAJOR PAIN TO MANAGE. We still have a few EA Off-Roads in stock and will make you a great deal if you want one. They aren’t pictured on our website right now (www.equal-air.com) , but just call us and we will get one to you.
The Percy’s tools isn’t too bad either. It’s basically our EA Off-Road with a gauge option and different chucks/hoses, except the EA Off-Road had a fast bleed air valve and the Percy does not.
When it comes to drag racing, nothing in the world beats our latest-greatest tool, the Psiclops. I won’t rant about it here too much as I just wanted to chime in on the 4-hose vs. 2-hose discussion, but if you want a REAL tire pressure balancing and adjusting tool, you need a Psiclops Pro15, Extreme or XL180. You’ll see Psiclops tools everywhere from NHRA to the desert dunes and rocks to semi-drivers to RV parks.
Again, just my 2 cents….thanks.

by: Jim Nutt

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:17:09 +0000

I used four coil hose with clip on chucks that I picked up at harbor freight for about $3 each, plumbed into a central 6 port brass manifold (2 ports on each side, one on each end). The hoses to the tires go to the side ports, a pressure gauge is on one end port and the inlet hose is on the other. I stuck a ball valve on the inlet to make it easier to check the pressure and so I can just use a quick connector to hook it to a compressor (or in my case, a CO2 cylinder). I think I spent about $25 bucks total…

by: Nate Bezanson

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:08:33 +0000

Jim, you’re just a few steps away from CTIS, but I think your version has fewer failure modes. It sounds like an easy project, and you certainly wouldn’t need thick hoses for this because no one would be moving very much air at once. Do you have four individual hoses plumbed back to a manifold, or just a single long piece of hose with four tire chucks on it?

by: Jim Nutt

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:25:20 +0000

I have a four way unit I built for off-roading. As you typically air-down your tires to 10-15 psi when going off-road, you need to put air back in them when you get back on the road. With the four way hose, I can fill all four tires at the same time and get the air pressure equal in them all to boot. It’s quite handy and a time saver (only have to check the pressure in one place).

by: Chris Hansen

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:32:36 +0000

I could see using this in an emergency flat situation to ‘borrow’ air from other tires. While all of the tires would be at a lower pressure, it might be sufficient to get to a service station. Especially in situations such as the freeway when it might be too dangerous to change the tire in heavy traffic.