Inflatable Dinghy Pressure Gauge.

[Gypsyjoss]

After 20 years I've just gone from Avon Redstart/Redcrests to a super duper inflatable with air keel and floor.
Instructions say the tube must be inflated to 0.25 bar and the keel to 0.35 bar. As I am unlikely to be able to feel the difference I thought of investing in an inline gauge which only seems to be made by Bravo. However the connector on this looks too short to connect to the keel filler through the floor.

a. Do I need a pressure gauge?
b. Is the Bravo one suitable?
c. Is there a reliable alternative with a longer attachment - there are some unbranded ones on Ebay.

Cheers!
Pete

 

[pvb]

After 20 years I've just gone from Avon Redstart/Redcrests to a super duper inflatable with air keel and floor.
Instructions say the tube must be inflated to 0.25 bar and the keel to 0.35 bar. As I am unlikely to be able to feel the difference I thought of investing in an inline gauge which only seems to be made by Bravo. However the connector on this looks too short to connect to the keel filler through the floor.

a. Do I need a pressure gauge?
b. Is the Bravo one suitable?
c. Is there a reliable alternative with a longer attachment - there are some unbranded ones on Ebay.

Generally, I'd expect the tubes to be inflated to no more than 0.3 bar, and the floor and keel to no more than 1.0 bar. If you use a dual chamber pump (like the Bravo one below), it's easy to get the right pressures without a gauge.

 

[andsarkit]

On my hand pump the gauge is inserted in the pump end of the hose and works perfectly. It is a bayonet type fitting and so could be fitted at either end of the hose. Could you do the same thing with the gauge on your pump?

 

[pvb]

On my hand pump the gauge is inserted in the pump end of the hose and works perfectly. It is a bayonet type fitting and so could be fitted at either end of the hose. Could you do the same thing with the gauge on your pump?

You don't need a gauge, just a dual pump; pump until it gets a bit difficult and it'll be the right pressure.

 

[TQA]

I use my bum. If it sinks in I keep pumping.

 

[fredrussell]

I use my bum. If it sinks in I keep pumping.

Tsk, Tsk, Fnarr, Fnarr,!

 

[prv]

There’s a bravo foot pump with a built-in pressure indicator (not really a gauge as such) for air floors. The indicator is a small tube on the top surface of the pump, with a spring-loaded orange piston inside. The piston is normally hidden inside an opaque section of the tube, but when pumped it pushes out against the spring proportionally to the pressure. The air floor is finished when the piston is fully extended.

It’s easy and effective and I would not want to use a hand pump instead.

Pete