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Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 3:39 pm
by Drago
Has anyone here ever considered using or have experience with the types of pumps designed for inflatable boats and kayaks?
http://inflatableboats.com/index.php?ma ... Path=14_28
Re: Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 4:11 pm
by serpa4
Not specifically. I use a 12v one for tubes that is rated at 3psi. That is the reccomended pressure for most tubes.
Re: Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:57 am
by 1roadking
I use a 12volt pump designed for tubes and it works great!
Re: Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:57 am
by The_Hellbilly
In my experience a 12v DC pump won't get the tube full enough to prevent it from submerging on some tubes. I picked up an Airhead pump from Walmart to fully inflate the tubes. It usually takes just a few pumps to do the job.

- airhead pump.JPG (42.36 KiB) Viewed 2838 times
Re: Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 10:18 am
by rbiederwolf
I have a Kwik Tek Airhead High Pressure Air Pump (12-Volt). Hooks up to battery connections. Had it for about a year now . Works great. Blows up a large 3 person inflateable in about 5 mins. Has plenty of power to fill tube up completely. I do not believe that the cigarette lighter version will supply enough power.
http://www.amazon.com/Kwik-Tek-Airhead- ... k+air+pump
Re: Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 12:42 pm
by mike
I use that foot operated bravo 2, it works VERY well and is fast!
Re: Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 12:57 pm
by GregF
I am surprised that some enterprising guy is not setting up a real compressor/air pump at the ramps and blowing up tubes for a couple bucks each. It might be another thing a marina could do.
I end up blowing up tubes for my neighbors with shop air here, just as something neighbors do for neighbors.
It is hard to beat a real 120v or 240v air pump if you have access to power.
Re: Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 12:57 pm
by dockholiday
Got one of these years ago and they work well. The magic air can also be use to deflate. They also make a 120 to run on household current.
http://www.campmor.com/metro-magic-air- ... pump.shtml
doc
Re: Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 1:02 pm
by GregF
They make a bigger model that approaches a real horsepower (in spite of the 4HP claim)
http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-DIDA ... =qrb-su-20
Re: Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 1:09 pm
by GregF
If you have access to 120v you could just bring your shop vac head (you don't need the can). It would even be worth getting one in a garage sale cheap and stripping it down.
Re: Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 1:47 pm
by screwball
We have 2 Colman 12v high volume pumps on board. Really do the trick.
Re: Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:23 pm
by dockholiday
Got one of these for the car. I am sure it would not do as good as the high volume pumps, but should do the job, and you would have one for the car also
http://www.amazon.com/Goodyear-i7000-12 ... lime++pump
Oh forgot to say they make a high volume pump the expels air on both the up and down strokes.
doc
Re: Pumps For Inflatables
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:42 am
by Drago
Thanks for the feedback. We normally blow up the tubes (Big Mable and a Donut off brand) with the wet vac at home before leaving. We have two of the 12VDC cheapo pumps from SportsStuff and WalMart and two of the two way hand pumps on board to fill stuff while on the water. We have plenty of high amperage cig lighter plugs wired for heavy duty use during the day. I'm just doing some snooping around looking for something more potent to travel with that can be used on the boat. Looks like some of those in the link I sent pull some monster current. I'll most likely spring for that Bravo 2 Foot Pump first. It looks like it has high volume and enough pressure to top off the big tubes. Another big plus is that anyone can use it.