Fender inflation...HOW?

Greenheart

Greenheart

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Sorry to those who've kindly done their best to answer this query already, here this evening; that post was too well disguised.

I would have attempted to search for an answer to fender inflation, but I believe I'd have read a hundred posts about fenders and another thousand about inflatables, before finding one about inflating fenders.

The problem seems to be the valves, which apparently aren't like the valves in other inflatable things.

I've concluded that the manufacturers of fenders have not themselves produced something which works reliably.

I have car-tyre pumps, bicycle pumps, plastic pumps for small inflatables, and somewhere in France I have a ruddy great 60-litre 240v compressor...

...but I can't see that any of them will work if the nozzle for the pump isn't suited to the fender's valve.

Any good suggestions?
 
The nozzle on mine is shaped like a thick needle about 2" long. The valves on the fenders are not that complicated. Something similar to this is what I have

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2C513D1557

That's an American site but there must be UK equivalents.

Not read the original thread yet so may be repeating info you already have. In which case my apologies.

Good luck

Chas
 
I have successfully used what I believe is called a "blow out gun", a common accessory for air compressors that is used for cleaning dirt with a blast of compressed air. Something like this:

SKU100284%20(1).jpg


I held the nozzle tightly against the valve hole of the fender and pressed the trigger. I cannot guarantee that it will work with all types though. Worth a try since you already have a compressor. It is up to your judgement to decide when the fender is hard enough. Also be aware that a burst fender can really hurt and do some serious damage so, please be careful.
 
I used one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DOUBLE-AC...Accessories&hash=item3a8f235fc9#ht_2298wt_956
or something very similar. Usually come with a selection of nozzles, one of which will fit.

A tip though is that after manufacture the internal part of the valve seems to stick closed and you need to stuff a blunt object in first before the fender will accept air.

This is the polyform instruction leaflet https://www.polyformus.com/pdf/polyform_05_fender_inflation.pdf , bottom of page is their instructions for inflating.
 
The issue is principally with Plastimo, and in my case a pontoon fender. I feel you should be able to use a foot pump to inflate them. You can take a normal fender to a garage forecourt to blast air into them but my pontoon fender is firmly fixed to the pontoon!
 
Thank you gentlemen, I reckon those suggestions cover it. I always supposed the needle-style football adaptor was best, being narrow & stiff enough to shove open the valve.

My compressor is doubtless able to do the job, but it'd be a long expensive trip to get the use of it, so I was hoping a few pounds' worth of metal or plastic can do it instead.
 
I use an old car tyre valve, with the thick bit that fits in the rim hole, cut off with a hacksaw. This makes the body just about the right diameter to fit tightly into the fender valve hole.
Ideally use with an air line, but OK with a hand / foot pump.
Remember to remove the screw in valve to allow the air to flow easily, AND have a few; one on the boat, one in the car, one at home etc.
Old ones freely available from your local tyre shop.
 
Careful with those needle inflators- I've destroyed a few items (balls not fenders) when the needle pops through loosely into the interior taking the valve with it.

The garage airline air gun/tyre inflator (lots of surplus puff) pressed firmly onto the outer surface is best in many cases, certainly the first thing to try if practicable.

The cut off shraeder valve is a good idea.
 
The football needle adaptor is not long enough for some of mine. For these i just use the pump without adapter which works after a fashion.
dancrane said:
Thank you gentlemen, I reckon those suggestions cover it. I always supposed the needle-style football adaptor was best, being narrow & stiff enough to shove open the valve.

My compressor is doubtless able to do the job, but it'd be a long expensive trip to get the use of it, so I was hoping a few pounds' worth of metal or plastic can do it instead.
Click to expand...
 
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