Gauge Time

Noticing a theme to this week's posts?

More air inflation issues here. Specifically having to do with gauges. I already mentioned the Clik Valve gauge I was ordering to measure air pressure for those Clik Valve equipped wheels on the Honeman Flyer. The gauge for the Clik Valves will be here tomorrow, according to the latest shipping update.

I had another gauge issue recently though, and it was a two-stage issue involving my SILCA Pista Plus pump.

I looked down at this pump sevral months ago and noted the lens covering the gauge dial was....gone. No trace of it to be found anywhere. Weird! Maybe I dropped something on the floor which hit the pump first? I had no recollection of this happening, but then again, I may not have noticed where, whatever it was which had been dropped, landed.

Well, I decided to just cover the opening with some clear packing tape until I could be bothered to get around to seeing if I could fix the gauge with a replacement lens or do something better than packing tape. This situation was working well until about a couple of weeks ago when I discovered the gauge just quit working at all. I could see the needle move when I stroked the pump push rod down, but the needle would return to zero on the gauge no matter what. I futzed around with the gauge, taking it off, checking the seal, putting new plumber's tape on the threads, and triple checking the results, but to no avail. I did note that the base of the gauge had been bent, probably as a result of the gauge getting hit months ago.

While I could have delved into things further, I decided to try SILCA and see if they might have a Pista Plus replacement gauge recommendation. Their site does not show a replacement gauge for this model, but it never hurts to ask. At the time, I was preparing to go look for another gauge, assuming SILCA would not have a replacement other than to buy another pump.

To my surprise, I received an answer to my email within a half an hour and the representative indicated this gauge wasn't a typical replacement option, but SILCA would be willing to send one out. I received an invoice which I could use to pay for the gauge, (at a very modest price of $20.00, by the way, plus shipping) and so I went ahead and placed the order.

Now, SILCA did not ask me to report on this, nor do they know I have posted this on my site, but I wanted to point out great customer service where it deserves to be highlighted. No other reason for the story.

Now I'll have two new gauges soon. Yeah.... This was unexpected! Not a planned for pair of purchases, but tools are always good with me, and as a mechanic, I don't mind investing in these as long as they are well-made, durable tools.