DIY 4 tire air up/down system question...use a safety exhuast coupler??

[Climbhigh]

So awhile ago I made up a 4 tire air up/down system, and after using it some on my Utha trip i have some upgrades in mind.

I was wondering if anyone has used a air safety exhaust coupler instead of a normal handle valve to stop flow and/or air down. The basic premise would be that is compressor is not attached you could slide the safety valve down and air down the tires (this may need a nipple...female hose end). With the compressor attached it would fill the tires but also allow you to exhaust the compressor while stopping flow into the tires to check tire pressuse (without over pressurizing the compresssor. So basically a pressure switch alternitive.

I got the idea from a youtube video (search Smittybuilt 2781 pressure switch alternitive). He used a slide valve, not an exhaust coupler, but I am asssuming they would work somewhat similarly. He doesnt show airing down, but I am pretty sure that would work...since I may use a coupler I might need a connector in to air down.

Has anyone tried something similar? Did it work? Am I missing anything?

PS - The other upgrade I want to add is a schrader valve to a 6 way manifold, so I can use the 4 tire system at a gas station air pump if needed. Two options on input, Two ouputs (onr to each side of vehicle) , digtal air gauge on last port.

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[XraytecH]

Trying to understand what you are describing.

Do you mean a pressure relief valve that vents air at a set tire pressure?

 

[XraytecH]

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Control-Devi...71617&sprefix=air+relief+valve,aps,152&sr=8-5

 

[Climbhigh]

Trying to understand what you are describing.

Do you mean a pressure relief valve that vents air at a set tire pressure?

This video explains a safety exhuast coupleer the best. But instead of just releasing the ait in the tool/hose it would be draining tires or exhausting the compressor so it doesnt over pressurize.

 

[Climbhigh]

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Control-Devices-Pressure-Relief-Adjustable/dp/B007GDY3CU/ref=sr_1_5?crid=16GC8BLNO2S22&keywords=air+relief+valve&qid=1655071617&sprefix=air+relief+valve,aps,152&sr=8-5

It is kinda like that but more inline, and has to be manually switched open. more shut off valve like then pressure driven.

 

[XraytecH]

This video explains a safety exhuast coupleer the best. But instead of just releasing the ait in the tool/hose it would be draining tires or exhausting the compressor so it doesnt over pressurize.

PowerTank has a coupler that does that.

https://powertank.com/collections/hoses-couplers/products/universal-safety-super-coupler-power-tank

 

[XraytecH]

Not sure Safety Couplers will do what you describe.

Also what compressor are you running? I have a Dual ARB and it will shut off automatically when it senses airflow has stopped.

 

[Climbhigh]

This is the video I talked about in my first post, where a guy used a safety valve (not a safety coupler). I kinda like the thought of using a coupler, even more so since the valve he shows isn't currently available.

 

[sharpsicle]

I'm not sure I fully understand the problem you're trying to solve. Are you trying to measure PSI without shutting off the compressor? Then try and apply that 'method' to airing down? Or is it something else?

It's probably easier and more accurate to just flip the compressor switch off to check pressure, then turn it back on to continue airing up. It also would have a lot less parts that could fail in your system that way. Airing down is already exceptionally easy that I wouldn't think you'd want to complicate that with more stuff in-line.

 

[Climbhigh]

I'm not sure I fully understand the problem you're trying to solve. Are you trying to measure PSI without shutting off the compressor? Then try and apply that 'method' to airing down? Or is it something else?

It's probably easier and more accurate to just flip the compressor switch to check, then turn it back on to continue airing up. It also would have a lot less parts that could fail in your system that way.

There wouldnt really be more parts, but maybe more complicated parts. I already have a shut off vavle on, which would come off, so the exhaust coupler would be replacing that.

Trying to solve not over pressurizing the air compressor. So my options are a pressure switch or use something like the videos above, or a relief valve. Most portable air compressors want to be turned on with no pressure (no tires connected and an open hose). If you put a regular air compressor fitting on a portable, without a pressure switch or release valve, you will quickly destroy your compressor. So if you stop the compressor to get an accurate read of tire pressure, you technically should disconnect the compressor air hose before restarting the compressor

My issuse with pressure switch is I rather not mess with the electrical components of the compressor. My issue with pressure relief valve is that is not really inline, I would have to add a Tee (which does add to the parts and bulk). Also both of these technically don't releave back pressure for restarting the compressor.

 

[Climbhigh]

Current setup. All I would be changing is the 4 way manifold at the end. Changing to a digital gauge, adding schrader valve, change lever valve to a exhaust coupler.

 

[sharpsicle]

Trying to solve not over pressurizing the air compressor. So my options are a pressure switch or use something like the videos above, or a relief valve. Most portable air compressors want to be turned on with no pressure (no tires connected and an open hose). If you put a regular air compressor fitting on a portable, without a pressure switch or release valve, you will quickly destroy your compressor. So if you stop the compressor to get an accurate read of tire pressure, you technically should disconnect the compressor air hose before restarting the compressor

This is the first I've heard of tire pressure damaging a compressor in all the time I've spent wrenching cars and motorcycles. And it also doesn't really make sense. Especially if you consider most portable tire compressors have built-in gauges (and therefore must be connected to the tire and switched off to get a reading). Higher-quality compressors (like Viair and ARB) also have shutoff limits built in, but your truck tires are never going to hit that limit. You'd really have to be holding some serious PSI to damage a compressor like that. Outside of that, compressors are totally fine starting above ambient pressure, and many are used for exactly that purpose of maintaining line or tank pressure rather than starting from zero.

Do you have something that describes this failure mode further? I'd be interested in reading up on this if there is some kind of risk associated with attaching a compressor to a tire before turning it on. But I think you might be trying to fix something that doesn't need fixing.

 

[Climbhigh]

This is the first I've heard of tire pressure damaging a compressor in all the time I've spent wrenching cars and motorcycles. And it also doesn't really make sense. Especially if you consider most portable tire compressors have built-in gauges (and therefore must be connected to the tire and switched off to get a reading). Higher-quality compressors (like Viair and ARB) also have shutoff limits built in, but your truck tires are never going to hit that limit. You'd really have to be holding some serious PSI to damage a compressor like that. Outside of that, compressors are totally fine starting above ambient pressure, and many are used for exactly that purpose of maintaining line or tank pressure rather than starting from zero.

Do you have something that describes this failure mode further? I'd be interested in reading up on this if there is some kind of risk associated with attaching a compressor to a tire before turning it on. But I think you might be trying to fix something that doesn't need fixing.

Quick examples:
Smittybilt 2781 manual

Viair 450p manual

I realize both of these have work arounds, but both don't want a closed air system...so no modding coupler to a standard air coupler, no shutting off shitof valve (with compressor running) to get accurate check on tire pressure.

 

[brianinca]

Works well but isn't a "pressure relief" despite the title. Not sure I see the need, but I'm always open to new ideas!

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Control-Devices-Pressure-Relief-Adjustable/dp/B007GDY3CU/ref=sr_1_5?crid=16GC8BLNO2S22&keywords=air+relief+valve&qid=1655071617&sprefix=air+relief+valve,aps,152&sr=8-5

 

[sharpsicle]

Quick examples:
Smittybilt 2781 manual

Viair 450p manual

I realize both of these have work arounds, but both don't want a closed air system...so no modding coupler to a standard air coupler, no shutting off shitof valve (with compressor running) to get accurate check on tire pressure.

Gotcha. Looks like a misinterpretation. What these images are saying is:

1. Be cautious on pressures that are higher than normal (well above standard passenger vehicle tire pressures).
2. Don't run the compressor if it's not hooked up to something.

Pretty straight forward guidance for anything.

Your Jeep tire pressure is never going to get into that "too high" category on the Smittybilt unless you overinflate the crap out of it. That's going to be well above tire PSI (70psi+ for cheaper models). Even then, it will blow the fuse when it kicks on due to amperage draw for pushing that PSI of air. That's a protection mechanism for electrical circuits more than it is for the pump's guts.

In the case of the Viair, it's going to handle an even higher pressure than that, and the Viair can absolutely be turned on in a closed system while connected to an inflated tire. It just doesn't want you building up unnecessary pressure in the lines (120psi+) when it isn't hooked up. Don't run it without a destination. Again, common sense.

You don't need to worry about unhooking these things every time they turn off when airing up tires on these trucks. Hook it up, air it up, and check as you go with your inline gauge. Turn it back on if needed. Pretty standard stuff.

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