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Ball filler;
A must if you have a home compressor and you want to be a hero for the local kids. Consider putting together this compressed air ball-filler.
Says Jim Graham, “I built this ball-filler some years ago, and ever since neighbourhood kids (my son included) have been using it to keep their footballs, their soccer balls and beach balls fully inflated.”
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How it works:
Insert the fill-probe (item 4) through the rubber gasket into the ball. The polyurethane tube makes it convenient to reach the rubber fill-gasket on the ball.
As soon as the fill-probe is inserted into the ball, the existing air pressure in the ball can be read on the large gauge (item 3).
Move the lever on the air valve (item 1), and compressed air flows through the needle valve (item 2), along the tube and into the ball.
The air pressure in the ball can be monitored on the gauge as it pressure increases.
When the ball is filled to a satisfactory level, the valve is shifted to off with the lever, and the fill-probe is removed from the ball’s fill gasket.
Any air pressure left in the fill line will now bleed to atmosphere through the tip of the fill-probe.
Additional info:
Item (1) is a small 2/2, in-line, lever operated air valve. Lifting the lever allows air to flow through the valve and moving the lever back shuts the valve off.
If you are building this ball-filler, you could consider using a spring-return valve which would shut off the air flow simply by letting go of the lever.
Item (2) is an in-line needle valve which is used to reduce the air flow to a minimum, this to help ensure that the balls aren’t accidentally over inflated by inattention.
Once you have set the needle valve to allow the maximum flow you want, consider removing the adjusting knob to help ensure that “little fingers” don’t dial the flow higher.
Item (3) is a large-dial air gauge showing 0-10 PSI. It shows the pressure in the ball before the air valve is opened, and shows the increasing pressure as the ball is filled. A large, low range gauge is useful for monitoring the fill, though any compressed air gauge could be used.
Item (4) is the fill-probe, sitting on top of the fitting for purposes of the photo, and it is attached to the air supply via a polyurethane tube. Polyurethane is very flexible. You can use polyethylene tube too, though it tends to kink if bent sharply.
Item (5) is a mini-filter regulator which filters the air supply before it gets to the ball-filler apparatus. It comes with a regulator, and this regulator should be “dialed down” far enough that even if the air valve is left open for an extended period of time, the pressure in the ball-filler line can’t reach a level high enough to damage the ball.
Once this is set, usually the regulator adjusting knob can be removed to prevent further adjustment.
Set up properly this ball-filler apparatus can easily and safely inflate sports balls to keep them in optimum condition.
In order to ensure safe operation, the unit should be overseen by an adult comfortable with compressed air and compressed air equipment.
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Thanks to friend and mentor Mr. Jim Graham for this home-use application for compressed air.
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