Inflating an airdeck with a footpump

wxmrich · 21 October 2011, 18:38

Hi guys,

I was just wondering if it is possible to inflate an airdeck to its correct pressure using the bravo foot pump I have?

I can't justify £100 for an electric pump at the moment so would it take me hours or would I simply never reach the right pressure anyway?

Thanks in advance

Rich

John Kennett · 21 October 2011, 18:56

I think it's unlikely that you'll manage with a foot pump. Something like the Quicksilver double action pump will do the job though for about £20.

SIBer · 21 October 2011, 20:17

Gotta say that the £120 bravo pump is worth it. Cheapest I found was from ribshop.

Fenlander · 21 October 2011, 20:42

Rich I assume you have the correct 2-stage footpump?? If so yes it will do it but you need a daft amount of pumps on the second stage and the pressure only creeps up. Do anything you can to get a Bravo HP elec pump... they are life changing.

Stippolyte · 23 October 2011, 00:46

My 380 Aerotec came with a 3 stage geared bellows, about 30mins for the 2 airdecks + 3tubes.

tinker · 25 October 2011, 17:22

Foot pump has no chance, double action hand pump is the way to go. Takes about 2-3 minutes and is all part of trying to keep fit, at least for me

wxmrich · 27 October 2011, 10:55

thanks for the advice guys.

So until i can afford an electric pump, i'll look at getting a hand pump.

tinker · 27 October 2011, 18:20

Get a cheap electric pump like this use that to pump the SIB and floor upto a decent pressure and top up with the hand pump, it makes it so much easier, not quite as easy as the bravo but IMO not hard enough to warrant the £100+ outlay.

wxmrich · 02 November 2011, 18:05

Thanks Tinker, I have an air bed pump to do the initial work already.

Would this be a suitable stirrup pump?

Bravo Stirrup Pump with Easy Glide Aluminium Shaft NEW | eBay

And would it connect to my Excel screw valves ok?

tinker · 04 November 2011, 23:06

Mine looks the same (its a yellow version) and does the trick pressure wise, cant see a problem size wise as the end caps are tapered, they fit most valves.

Jorgos · 07 November 2011, 17:50

By foot is very difficult, even if the pump are designed to do the job ( the ones that comes with the boat). Something like that is much better and will reach the correct pressure
Pompe complète pour YakkAir : kayaks sit on top -
but make your life easy and buy a electric ( up to 10 bars) .

uncle al · 07 November 2011, 17:55

inflate with a foot pump!! they are usually approx 10psi go to argus and buy a cheap compressor that will run of the car battery or the aux socket in the car

DerekFix · 12 November 2011, 15:58

Hi
I've just purchased a Bravo BTP Digital 12V Inflator and wonder if anyone can recommend a suitable battery to use with it as the battery on my vehicle is not easily accessible.

SIBer · 12 November 2011, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerekFix

Hi
I've just purchased a Bravo BTP Digital 12V Inflator and wonder if anyone can recommend a suitable battery to use with it as the battery on my vehicle is not easily accessible.

Vehicle battery not accessible? What car is it?

2 options
1)Run some thick cables from you car battery to make a dedicated fused pump connector

2) Spend £30 on a battery.
Ideally a sealed lead acid of 12 Ah or more but you will need a means of charging this.

Your bravo draws 20 amps.

Boats&Outboards · 12 November 2011, 22:22

Your car should have a take off from the battery somewhere under the bonnet. Most modern cars do. My battery is in the boot hidden under everything but I regularly use it's take offs for jumping boats.

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

DerekFix · 13 November 2011, 06:08

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.
I'll take a look for the the battery take offs first.
Second option is to purchase a battery.
Thanks again.

Fenlander · 13 November 2011, 13:10

A second battery seems far too much trouble even if your vehicle battery is hidden. I've made up an extension lead arrangement for my Bravo so even if my inflatable is a little way behind the car right away from the battery I can still reach. I've used some of the connectors like you get on an old Flymo elec mower with heavy duty twin core cable. You could easily make up a permanent connection to your battery with a shrouded socket on a short fly lead tucked away in a suitable place on the vehicle.

These are similar to the plugs I got...

Flymo Lead terminal c/w plug: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

mick · 13 November 2011, 16:26

If you want to use your car battery get some Anderson connectors and an isolater switch and run it to the back of your car or were convenient .

DerekFix · 15 November 2011, 17:05

Thanks again for your replies, much appreciated.