Dinghy inflator

[Elemental]

I'm considering a 12v pump for the dinghy. We currently keep it inflated on the sugar scoop but I'd prefer to keep it deflated and pack it into a valise for deck stowage between (regular) uses. Ideally I'd prefer one that will deal with the inflatable floor of our Lodestar (which I think means a 300 mb unit won't work) plus allow for deflation as well as inflation. I may prefer one with a battery, so I can use it when I'm kitesurfing too.

Opinions sought...

 

[Keith-i]

Not much choice out there, esp if you want battery powered. The Bravo Turbo has a two stage system for low pressure high volume initial puff and then high pressure for air-deck etc. I have one which plugs into the boat battery for power rather than internal battery which would need charging at intervals. They're a bit noisy and bit slow but save some leg work on a foot pump.

 

[pandroid]

Yes, we have two, and use ours all the time. The one we have came from Argos (similar thing here) but there are loads on ebay.

 

[Elemental]

Not much choice out there, esp if you want battery powered. The Bravo Turbo has a two stage system for low pressure high volume initial puff and then high pressure for air-deck etc. I have one which plugs into the boat battery for power rather than internal battery which would need charging at intervals. They're a bit noisy and bit slow but save some leg work on a foot pump.

Thanks. I'm not sure if I need the battery variant - I could just use a seperate 12v Battery when kiting.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Coleman do a rechargeable one.

 

[DanTribe]

Not much choice out there, esp if you want battery powered. The Bravo Turbo has a two stage system for low pressure high volume initial puff and then high pressure for air-deck etc. I have one which plugs into the boat battery for power rather than internal battery which would need charging at intervals. They're a bit noisy and bit slow but save some leg work on a foot pump.

I bought one of those plug in 12 volt inflators thinking it would be a good idea. Only used it once as it makes so much high pitched noise and takes ages to inflate the Avon.
A few minutes with the bellows is so much better.

 

[yerffoeg]

Agree. My foot pump works quicker than my electric inflator and is good exercise too.

 

[jac]

Coleman do a rechargeable one.

We have this one that we use on our 3.1 Airdeck.

It doesn't get either the floor or the tubes to the correct pressure but we knew that when we bought it. It does though put in a large volume reasonably quickly and easily. We then just top up with the stirrup pump. Takes a lot of hassle from the whole thing

 

[Kelpie]

I've had a number of 12v pumps and am surprised to hear that other people don't rate theirs.
Cheapest was a £5 one from Aldi- quite fast, but wouldn't do an air deck. Electric and then switching to a manual pump to finish is still faster than doing it all manually, and a lot less effort too.
Coleman corded one, £12, performs the same as the Aldi one really, but has an outlet hose which means you can set it up and then do something else for a minute (put on LJ etc) while it pumps. Again, you need to finish off manually unless you're happy to have it a little floppy (ooh err).
Finally, an LVM which I inherited with the boat. Unlike the others it cannot be plugged into a 12v socket, the current draw is too high. You have to clip it directly to the battery (which can be a pain). Very very noisy, much more than the cheap pumps. Not noticably faster than them. However it does pump at higher pressure and on its own can get a dinghy to a usable pressure. I don't know if it would do an air deck.

Given the LVM retails at about £70 I wouldn't have thought it worth the money if I'd bought one myself.

 

[Plum]

I'm considering a 12v pump for the dinghy. We currently keep it inflated on the sugar scoop but I'd prefer to keep it deflated and pack it into a valise for deck stowage between (regular) uses. Ideally I'd prefer one that will deal with the inflatable floor of our Lodestar (which I think means a 300 mb unit won't work) plus allow for deflation as well as inflation. I may prefer one with a battery, so I can use it when I'm kitesurfing too.

Opinions sought...

The LVM/Rule inflators are expensive but are excellent. http://www.force4.co.uk/rule-12v-hi...g_OS--t9X-I4t14_VuAaAsYWEALw_wcB#.WcGFkSfTXxA

I have had mine for 15 years. It is rather noisy but is very quick and unlike many of the cheaper ones it inflates to a good hard pressure so does not need a foot inflator to finish the job.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Seajet]

The LVM/Rule inflators are expensive but are excellent. http://www.force4.co.uk/rule-12v-hi...g_OS--t9X-I4t14_VuAaAsYWEALw_wcB#.WcGFkSfTXxA

I have had mine for 15 years. It is rather noisy but is very quick and unlike many of the cheaper ones it inflates to a good hard pressure so does not need a foot inflator to finish the job.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

+1, I've had an LVM ' High Speed Inflator ' for 30 years, still going strong and well worth the £ 70 quid; now sold as a ' Rule ' by Force 4.

One thing, whatever you do, clamp it on to the battery terminals, under no circumstances use a 12v socket - I was on a supposed ' pro electrician's ' boat when he tried that, result an interesting time trying fire-fighting and knackered wiring !

 

[ffiill]

I have a cheapy one -it does my Seago no problem.Just about 15 strokes of my stirrup pump to finish off

 

[Poecheng]

+1, I've had an LVM ' High Speed Inflator ' for 30 years, still going strong and well worth the £ 70 quid; now sold as a ' Rule ' by Force 4.

One thing, whatever you do, clamp it on to the battery terminals, under no circumstances use a 12v socket - I was on a supposed ' pro electrician's ' boat when he tried that, result an interesting time trying fire-fighting and knackered wiring !

I have had one for a while but have very rarely used it as connecting it to the battery terminals is not really feasible for us - or by the time it is achieved I could have blown it up by belows.
Is there no socket that can take the 25A which the spec suggests it needs? I was hoping to get a socket in the cockpit area this winter for the newly acquired tender

 

[ashtead]

I have had one for a while but have very rarely used it as connecting it to the battery terminals is not really feasible for us - or by the time it is achieved I could have blown it up by belows.
Is there no socket that can take the 25A which the spec suggests it needs? I was hoping to get a socket in the cockpit area this winter for the newly acquired tender

If you look at post 10 and follow link to force4 site it might show you the Marinco plug which is pricey and annoyingly comes with one plug (why no spare plugs?) but seems to be rated above25A if the wiring can take it to this socket should work surely and you will follow Seajets tale of instant combustion . We have socket in cockpit but I'm sure others might recommend installing in anchor locker so you can inflate on bow if preferred approach.

 

[Poecheng]

If you look at post 10 and follow link to force4 site it might show you the Marinco plug which is pricey and annoyingly comes with one plug (why no spare plugs?) but seems to be rated above25A if the wiring can take it to this socket should work surely and you will follow Seajets tale of instant combustion . We have socket in cockpit but I'm sure others might recommend installing in anchor locker so you can inflate on bow if preferred approach.

Thanks

 

[nemodreams]

If you have Hesky valves - ie your valves will lock open - then a cheap tesco 12v airbed inflator works fine. It fills the tube. Lock the valves open - once filled - whip off the fitting and lock the valve shut. Then just finish the final pressure ( 6 psi ) with the foot pump.
I use the tesco airbed job when inflating out of the car - if boat is on its river mooring.
I have an LVM ( aka whale ) high pressure on board.
Yes it will fry your wiring - it pulls about 18 amps. Yes you can plug it in - you need a suitable high amp rated socket and dedicated wiring/fuse. I fitted a Belkin HD series 800 40 amp 12v supply to bulkhead fitting. Its usefull for a hand held halogen spotlight etc.
The LVM pumps will pressure through the valves and are quick - if noisy!
I inflate my dingy now hanging off the boom over the side rail by its bow line. Whoosh whoosh whoosh and lower it into the water - how to impress the neighbours !
Not cheap though - £ 80 now I think ?

 

[underdog]

I bought one of these https://www.decathlon.co.uk/electric-pump-0-15-psi-12v-id_8387582.html
from Decathlon the other day and tried it out on my new to me Bombard Max 3 yesterday.
You set the pump to the required pressure and it stops automatically once that pressure is reached.
It was reasonably quick and took the effort out of blowing up the dinghy and seems good value at £40.

 

[chewi]

I have had one for a while but have very rarely used it as connecting it to the battery terminals is not really feasible for us - or by the time it is achieved I could have blown it up by belows.
Is there no socket that can take the 25A which the spec suggests it needs? I was hoping to get a socket in the cockpit area this winter for the newly acquired tender

My batteries are not that accessible either, so I have run thick wiring to a +/- pair of studs accessible above the engine that I can clip any accessory to. eg battery charger, pump etc. Nevertheless I prefer a proper socket.

I use the Force 4 Rule/LVM and it needs no top up, so I can keep the handpump tucked somewhere out of the way. It also avoids having to find a place where the dinghy can be inflated and I can stand and pump.

I have no air deck so I can't comment on that. Is an airdeck inflated to a much higher pressure?

 

[JimC]

I use an LVM inflator plugged into a heavy duty socket. It inflates my Lodestar inflatable to a satisfactory pressure, including the airdeck and keel.

 

[ctva]

I use one very similar to this one, http://www.argos.co.uk/product/6734002 which inflates and deflates very well. As has been mentioned above, the final pressure requires the foot pump but saves a lot of effort. I taped a hose and proper connector for my Seago airdeck which helped.