Save your back, air up your tires

Here's another idea. I have a 120V electric pump I use for bike tires at
home (pumps faster than the 12V models I have seen.) My shade-port parking
has no electricity, so I hook a 400W inverter to the car battery terminals
and use that to power the pump. The inverter also has a cigarette lighter
plug, but the plug doesn't deliver enough power for the inverter to work the
pump that way. I have also used the inverter to power a hand held vacuum
for cleaning the plane's carpets, but a higher wattage inverter would be
better for that use.
Another thing I have found is that mechanical pressure guages are very
inaccurate. I have an $8 digital guage that seems to be much better.

--
Regards,
Mike

"Ben Jackson" wrote in message
news:aETFb.433014$Dw6.1332454@attbi_s02...
Last Wednesday I found myself unable to push my plane back into the
hangar without help. It was wet, limiting my shoe traction, and I had
been unable to successfully get back on the concrete pad after cutting
the corner through the squishy grass, forcing me to take a more
straight-in (and more uphill) approach.

Today before flying I hauled my compressor to the hangar and aired up
my tires. They didn't look that squishy, but they sure took a lot of
air to get back to book values. It's a hell of a lot easier to push now!

--
Ben Jackson

http://www.ben.com/

12 Volt compressors are available anywhere auto or RV parts are
sold, at prices from about $10. The cheapie units tend to be very
noisy, but do the job. One with a built-in gauge is preferable.
I have been using an "Inter" brand compressor for about 20 years.
Great little unit - but I think they are out of business. I put a
long "truck type" chuck on mine that allows me to reach the valve
stems of a 182 with wheel pants (but without the little doors).
It's a pain in the rear, but doable. If it's hard to move the plane
with the tires low, jack it up - one side at a time - then turn the
wheel until the valve stem is accessible Push the tail down for the
nose gear (takes two people).

For those with small 110 Volt compressors, Costco has been selling
1 KW inverters for about $69 lately.

Ben,
On my Maule I need to put air in them about once a month. A work we put
Nitrogen in the tires of the jets and Turbo-props every three days....
Michelle

Ben Jackson wrote:

Last Wednesday I found myself unable to push my plane back into the
hangar without help. It was wet, limiting my shoe traction, and I had
been unable to successfully get back on the concrete pad after cutting
the corner through the squishy grass, forcing me to take a more
straight-in (and more uphill) approach.

Today before flying I hauled my compressor to the hangar and aired up
my tires. They didn't look that squishy, but they sure took a lot of
air to get back to book values. It's a hell of a lot easier to push now!




--

Michelle P ATP-ASEL, CP-AMEL, and AMT-A&P

"Elisabeth" a Maule M-7-235B (no two are alike)

Volunteer Pilot, Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic

Volunteer Builder, Habitat for Humanity

(Ben Jackson) wrote in message news:aETFb.433014$Dw6.1332454@attbi_s02...
Today before flying I hauled my compressor to the hangar and aired up
my tires. They didn't look that squishy, but they sure took a lot of
air to get back to book values. It's a hell of a lot easier to push now!

and to others in reponse to my query: Thanks for the information and
suggestions. I very much appreciate the replies from fellow pilots.
I will follow up.

Steve m