This Universal Racegadgets Air Shifter can be configured to suit many sequential gearbox vehicles
with a choice of self mount gear select buttons, Paddles or Handlebar Bracket with Buttons.
with a choice of self mount gear select buttons, Paddles or Handlebar Bracket with Buttons.
Further choice is available for the Air source with either Compressor or High Pressure Air Bottle and Regulator.
Advantages of this system
- Compact and lightweight ram, neater and easier to fit than twin solenoid or servo actuators. Other reasons for choosing pneumatic air over twin solenoid/servo systems (as per most professional race teams) are: -
- Compressed air has a more compliant quality to it; more like a spring so it gives a little rather than damaging gearbox internals that aren't quite ready to move.
- Fully Adjustable air pressure and duration to simulate speed and pressure of driver’s hand or rider’s foot. Some powered shifters aren't adjustable for speed and pressure so can be harsh on the gearbox.
- Easier on electrical systems, power to compressor is steady rather than a sudden sharp spike over a few milliseconds.
- Very powerful air cylinder/ram for weight and size.
- Air cylinder/ram stable at high temperatures compared with mechanical actuators that can have reliability problems or reduced performance.
When combined with a UpShift/DownBlip kit: -
- 45 – 65mS up-shift times typical. This reduces lap times but also requires less effort from the driver/rider, which reduces lap times further.
- Gear dog wear reduced due to speed and accuracy of quicker up-shifts compared to manual shifting.
- Faster/Safer when cornering as power delivery to drive wheels is more constant.
- Increased control for Drivers with both hands on the steering wheel. Faster down shift times when used with a throttle blipper allowing later braking and less physical effort.
Suitable for Riders with no or limited leg movement.
Track and road tested in all weather conditions.
Full refund if not convinced within 30 days plus a 1-year guarantee.
Racegadgets products have been used successfully to win major events by many top racing riders and drivers such as: -
- Michael Rutter, Troy Corser, James Haydon, Ian Lougher, Jonathon and James Lodge, Tom Sykes, Rob Fisher, Alex and Sam Lowes.
- Supermoto Experts include Chris Walker and Shane Parkin.
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Here we have the Airshifter combined with UpShift/DownBlip kit to enable the faster clutch-less shifting. Both kits work as independent standalone units. Without the UpShift/DownBlip kit the Airshift actuator would push the gear lever at roughly the same speed as shown here but the time lost due to the throttle and clutch juggling in a race would be considerable. |
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The main photo near the top shows the standard kit at £695 with buttons. To buy other than this standard kit you can call or email me to specify your choice of paddles, buttons, compressor or air bottle. Any extra payment can be made through Paypal or various other methods.
Before going into detail about the different components, a short explanation of
How this Air Shifter works:-
After switching on the power the LED will flash for half a second. The control unit then checks the system for pressure and runs the compressor if needed. The control unit then monitors the handlebar / steering wheel shift buttons / paddles (every 1000th of second) waiting for the signal to either up shift, down shift or select neutral.
Up shifts. When the green button or up paddle is pressed, pressurised air (adjustable from 50 to 150psi) is fed to the gear lever ram for a preset time (also adjustable) which moves the gear lever to select the next gear.
Down shifts work in the same way using the red down shift button or paddle.
Neutral selection is done by pressing the down shift button or paddle after reaching 1st gear. This will send a shorter duration of pressurised air to the gear lever ram allowing the lever to move a shorter distance. The neutral switch is used as closed loop feedback to enable neutral selection every time.
Standard Components (email for further details/spec) :-
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The Viair 100C Compressor has features such as thermal overload cut out and one way check valve on the air output for maximum reliability. Another feature is the remote air filter, especially for off road vehicles.
Vehicles with larger engines and heavier sequential gearboxes may need a larger compressor such as the Viair 275C compressor. Please contact me for details. |
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On/Off Toggle switch and red 12v supply wire at the lower left side. This is the main supply to the control box and compressor so needs to be fused according to which compressor is used (up to 14 amps, in line fuse supplied). Toggle switch should be mounted within reach of rider/driver. |
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Lower half middle is the 6mm o/d and 4mm bore Nylon tube hich can be easily cut to length. 4m long but more can be ordered. |
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Lower half middle is the spiral wrap, next to that is the amalgamating rubber tape. Top centre are the cable ties, all good for tidying up the wiring. |
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On the lower left side are the crimp connectors for the few connections that aren't already plug and play. Standard red bullet connectors are available on request. |
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Upper Left is the Air Pressure Gauge with 6mm push fit. |
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Middle left is the Air Pressure Switch with 6mm push fitting and spade connectors which connect to the blue/black pair or wires. The pressure adjusting screw is in between the spades and allows system pressure between 50 - 150 psi. |
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The Gear Select Buttons for self mounting to either a steering wheel or handlebar bracket. |
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6mm push fittings. The 3 way one is to split the air feed to the 2 air valves. The 5 way is the main junction for the compressor/bottle, Pressure Gauge, Pressure Switch, Accumulator and Air Valves. |
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Accumulator. Necessary to keep constant pressure at the air valves during peak demand. When down shifting 5 gears quickly, without the accumulator the compressor could struggle. This is made of reinforced high pressure pipe 50cm long. Various lengths and end fittings are available on request. The one shown here is an In-line Accumulator which has 6mm fitting at both ends. This effectively gives the airline a larger bore allowing more air to keep the pressure stable. Having this in line can give us more flexibility to place the high pressure safety/drain valve elsewhere, preferably at the lowest point of the air line system to make any moisture removal easier. |
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Another option is to have a 6mm push fit inlet and a high pressure safety valve fitted to the accumulator. This version is more suitable when you have the space/option to mount the accumulator vertically for better moisture drainage. |
Upgrade Components (email for further details/spec) :-
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We don't supply the (Paint ball) Air bottles but they are readily available on ebay for around £40. We supply the regulator and fittings for you to connect it to your system. The 48 cubic inch version is good for around 300 to 600shifts depending on many things. To upgrade add £0 |
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Handlebar Bracket for motorcycles. Available in black or brushed aluminium. Clamps between the left hand rubber grip and switchgear. Materials: Aluminium with stainless steel fasteners. To upgrade add £95. |
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Twin Paddles for steering wheel mount on cars/karts with quick steering and limited lock. Complete with coil cable and twist lockable waterproof connector. 3mm s/steel button head socket screws/nuts are used to mount to the wheel.
Materials: Aluminium with stainless steel fasteners. To upgrade add £175 |
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This 2 way Paddle is for use on steering wheels with slower steering such as rally cars. This has to mount to the steering column. Push for down-shift and pull for up-shift as standard but easily reversed by swapping connectors over.
Materials: Aluminium with stainless steel fasteners. To upgrade add £245. |
Wiring and Plumbing :-
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The Wiring is this simple! As you can see it is pre wired so mainly plug and play. The main 12v supply and 2 chassis/engine 6mm bolts are for the earth/0v connection.
Where applicable, the remaining yellow wire can be connected to the neutral switch to help the neutral select process. The plumbing also couldn't be easier with 6mm push fittings and 6mm nylon tubing. |
For full installation instructions please email me at Info@racegadgets.com
We have had such a good reliability record for so many years now that we confidently offer a 30 DAY NO QUIBBLE FULL REFUND.
We aim to offer an excellent service at all times and value our reputation. If you do have any complaints or feedback which could improve this service then please contact us. This would help you by letting us rectify your problem and would also make our service/product even better.
If you have any questions please email mick@racegadgets.com or call:-
Mobile +0044 (0)7969 051828
Land line +0044 (0)1484 968986