LVM Inflators

W

wagenaar

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 Feb 2003
Messages
257
Location
Spain, Galicia
Visit site
I am looking for a decent inflator for my inflatable with an airdeck floor. From this forum it is clear that the LVM 110 is considered by far the best. However, there is also a LVM 114, which is much cheaper. See the table, which also includes some technical information about the two inflators. (price in euros without VAT)

type price max current airflow
110 103.68 25 amps 550L/M
114 35,23 13 amps 400L/M.

Can anyone give me some information why the 114 should not be able to pump up a dinghy properly, although it will take a bit longer. One things that worries me in particular is the pressure needed to pump the airdeck, which, as far as I know, should be about double the pressure for the dinghy itself.
 
We have an Zodiac with airdeck floor and the LVM cannot pressurise this or the tubes enough, we inflate with the LVM and then complete inflation with a high pressure hand pump which just takes a minute or so
 
As BlueChip says, the electric inflator will not provide enough pressure for an airdeck - the cheapo one I have is slightly defeated by the back pressure from Avon valves unless they are left in deflate mode. The inflators are centrifugal blowers not pumps - they move air volume rather than create pressure.

Then a foot or hand pump is needed. For the airdeck a good hard stomp on the pump is needed - I used to have a footpump with a high pressure inner compartment but it fell apart, having been picked up out of the sea off Beaulieu.

For maximum b*d effect why not consider a modified leaf blower with a coupling for the dinghy valves .. Makes even more noise than the siren whine of a dinghy inflator, doesnt need electricity except for a tiny bit round the spark plug...
 
I bought an inflator from Asda for £8 which would inflate my Avon (valves closed) to a row-able pressure though not as hard as I would have liked. I topped up the thwart for seating stability with a single breath, to save lugging a foot pump about. The inflator blew up after a year and I replaced it with another cheapo but this needs the valves opened to inflate the boat. It's the oft quoted aphorism: buy cheap, buy twice (or thrice). Sadly, I don't seem to learn.
 
The cheaper version would not get my Zodiac 3.4 to anything like useable pressure, the big one will. However, even the big one will not cope with the airdeck. You need to use the supplied foot pump or similar. Both pumps require a good electrical connection and source to get anything like the best from them. I think that the big one is a brilliant piece of kit once you get it properly set up for your boat and circumstances eg the lead is pretty short so make sure that you have a cunning plan for where you will plug it in and remember it draws a lot of amps ie forget a cigarette lighter type socket. Good luck.
 
My daughter

Bless her!
Gave me an LVM inflater for Christmas 1997.

It's still going strong, though I've had problems with the switch contacts welding themselves together, and the plastic case has had to be "reinforced" with plastic tape.

However it has never, in the 4 dinghies it's had to inflate, got everything to pressure (except the Avon). It's most lacking in oomph for the floors and inflatable keels. However a few strokes with a footpump bring those up to working pressure.

Being a centrifugal compressor the LVM is unlikely to go above 1 bar.

In view of the welding episodes I'd suggest the smaller one - unless you've an enormous dinghy to inflate.
 
I've got the LVM with heavy cable and croc clips for the connection. Must be 20 years old and still works well. It has never made the dinghy hard enough so still need a few pumps of the foot one. If it ever packs up the same will be purchased.
 
<<< Being a centrifugal compressor the LVM is unlikely to go above 1 bar. >>

I have been working on a centrifugal compressor that will reinject natural gas at nearly 800 bar. It's not made of plastic, though, and it would flatten my batteries quite quickly. Assuming that its weight didn't sink the boat
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top