To deflate or not to deflate......

[Onyva]

About to [--word removed--] off for a couple of years and run out of space onboard. Really need to deflate our fenders, at least the 2 large pear drop ones, but struggling to find anyone who can supply with a (sensible) solution for re-inflating fenders. Ours are "Dan Fenders" and have a 6-7mm "screw", no valve and just a gaping hole once undone and deflated. Presumably there is some sort of adaptor somewhere......?

I get out of breath blowing up balloons these days so that's not an option.........

 

[Deleted member 478]

Glenn

One of the UK petrol stations chains (I could be wrong but I think it was Total) were selling a 12V pump (plugs into a cigarette lighter) with multiple adaptors for £4.99. It was one of those specials were you had to fill your tank to get the special price.

 

[Guest]

12v inflators ...

Forget all the Marine / expensive jobs ....

I have 2 .... a 12v one on boat with cig plug ... fiver, also a rechargeable one at home .... tenner ....

Both available at local camping store for blowing up lilo's, bed's etc.

Problem for the poster - is his fenders don't have valves .... dunno if anyone has Jimmy Green specials that valves could be unscrewed out of and screwed into his ????

 

[3reefs]

I found the chandler at the Camper & Nicholson marina in Gosport did Dan fenders. I think he said they had a needle valve, like used in footballs, so presumably available at sports goods shops.

Contact details are: Andy/Brian, Peters Chandlery, Tel 02392 505700.

Hope this helps.

PS: are you deflating because going somewhere hot (expansion) or to reduce stowage. If the latter, I think I would leave them inflated to give a little extra buoyancy if I hit a container or a reef. Sorry, negative thinking.

 

[Ships_Cat]

The few Dan Fenders I have seen do, in fact, have a metal valve deep down inside the opening exposed once one removes the big screw - in fact without a valve I do not see how one could inflate them and keep them inflated until one gets the screw back in again.

Perhaps there is a special pump fitting that screws into the thread used by the screw plug but I have never seen one nor have I found any standard fitting (ball needles, tapered fittings) to go on a pump that fits.

But I have found that the whole nozzle end (the bit that normally fits over the top of a bike valve and locks on when you lift the lever) of some bicycle pumps will fit into the space exposed when the screw is removed and if pushed tightly in creates enough of a seal to pump them up. Is slow compared to using a compressed air gun (their nozzles also generally push into the same opening) but does work.

Alternatively a short piece of plastic hose with a piece of metal tube hose clipped on one end and which fits into the clamping connection (the bit that normally goes over the valve stem) of a bike pump and hose big enough to seal against the sides of the opening in the fender when pushed hard in where the screw goes. Again, slow pumping but it works. Haven't tried but I suspect the same would work with a foot pump such as used for pumping car tires up (and be much quicker).

John

 

[pappaecho]

Last week I bought a "Universal " fender inflating kit which contains a variety of different needles and plastic thingies which inflate fenders. One is a needle like football inflator, which if inserted into the fender after the rather substantial plug is taken out, allows the fender to be deflated, if there is no pump attached , or if a bike or foot pump is attached will inflate said fender with a few strokes. I seem to have every make of fender going, so this kit £1.95, seems to be just the ticket