Electric pump for dinghy

Doryman · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject: Electric pump for dinghy

I just grenaded my $120 electric pump for inflating my dinghy. It has a warning on it that says to stop using it when the sound changes but I did not hear it change and then there was a big bang and now the motor runs but no air comes out. Would appreciate suggestions as for a good replacement and/or repair strategies. There is no name on the pump but it was sold by the Outcast people (fishing pontoons). I'll contact them too.

Thanks,
Warren

Grumpy · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 6:42 pm Post subject:

Warren,
You should ask Les to incorporate one into that nice new Davit so the dinghy is always inflated...... Laughing

Maybe even with a remote control.....

Merv

JT · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject:

Not sure of the fitting for the Dinghy but I bought a nice 12 volt pump for an airbed at Target for 10 bucks. It's a coleman.

JT CoolSmile

Doryman · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 2:20 am Post subject:

Jim King (of Alaska Series) has suggested the BRAVO 12 BST HP Superturbo Electric Air Pump for Rafts. The Hi-Speed Air Pump on the same page looks like the one that died today.

Thanks, Jim!

Warren

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject: Lazy Boy

Now that I am retired, I need to live up to my obligation for being lazy. I am considering buying an electric inflator for the zodiac, and am curious if anyone has experience with some of the less expensive models such as those in the WM catalog.

The Bravo's that Warren referenced seem nice, but a bit on the pricey side.

Steve

Robbi · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject:

The cheap ones work fine if you don't need a high psi. The $265 electric pump delivers 12 psi which is way more than I think anyone would need. The high pressure floor of the Alaska Series I think inflates to 6 psi and that is the highest that I know of. I have a Bravo electric pump that pumps to just over 4.5 psi and it sells for around $150. The advantage to this pump is only that they have an adjustment wheel that lets you set the psi anywhere from 1 to 4.5. This keeps you from blowing up what you are blowing up! Shocked

I also have a hand pump called a K-Pump that I use to top off my two inflatables. You can pump to 6 psi with it.
Be aware too, that the different valves in the inflatables may require different valve adapters. And, no matter how much you spend, it will be noisy.
Robbi

breausaw · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject:

Are we talking about inflating the dink before each cruise, or just occasionally when it’s low on air?

In the spring I inflate my dink with an air compressor fitted with an tube nozzle, then top off with a hand pump. I’m talking about a full size duel stage air compressor, not one of those little 12volt cigarette lighter jobs.
The dink lives on top of the boat all season except when deployed.

Not everyone has an air compressor in their shop, just a suggestion if you do.

journey on · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:17 pm Post subject:

Last year, I bought the Scoprega Bravo SuperTurbo BST 12 HP equipped with a rechargable 7Ah battery, as mentioned above. Without battery, it's $175 at Defender. Did a Google search and found it cheaper with battery on the Internet. Got it because we weren't going to tow the dingy around the Santa Barbara Isles or San Francisco Bay, but pump it up every time we needed it.

Used it for the summer, and it works great, inflates the 11' Achilles in ~5 min, with me just moving the nozzle from port to port. It also has a high pressure setting for the inflatable floor, and you can dial the desired pressure. Also runs as a deflator. Yes, it's another gadget and cost $175. Don't know how I was allowed to get it, but offering to split the pumping, in and out, may have done it.

I mention the "without battery" because I installed a 12 Vdc plug in the stbd lazerette, from which I can run the pump from the boat batteries. Lighter, easier more dependable. I had to disconnect the pump battery and put a plug on the leads. If anyone wants a battery, I have a spare one. If you have a choice, buy without battery.

Good pump, hope it lasts. Made in Italy

Boris

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject: Inflating the dink

Thanks everyone.

Jay, I use the inflatable when car camping, too. Moving from spot to spot it is getting to be a bit of a pain to inflate/deflate, hence the lazy boy approach.

It sounds like these things are worth the investment.

Steve

Zydecomo · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject:

TURBO INFLATOR!
I use my electric leaf blower to fill up my Aire kayak and old Zodiac. Seems to take about 15 or 20 seconds held loosely on the valve. I open the valve and just hold nozzle on the opening. I finish it up with my foot pump. Works great if you have electric available.

Grumpy · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:16 pm Post subject:

I use the shop vac in "Blow" mode. Very quick. Then top up with either foot pump or a mini-electric thingy which was probably less than $20.-

Merv

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:51 pm Post subject:

Shop vac? Leaf blower? Bill is going to bust a gut over that flagrant attack on minimalism! Mr. Green

I, on the other hand, use my foot pump and save the money that I'd spend on a gym membership. Stair stepper? I don't need no stinkin' stair stepper. Wink

Best wishes,
Jim

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:02 pm Post subject: Foot Pump?

Jim,

I am shocked. You're supposed to be a lazy boy like me.

Yesterday, Diana asked me what I was going to do for the day. My reply was nothing but lay around and be lazy.

This morning, she asked the same thing, and my answer was the same. She then said "I thought you were doing that yesterday...".

My reply was "yes, but I didn't get finished"

Regards,

Steve

Doryman · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:34 pm Post subject:

I think the point to take away from all this is to either get the Bravo or go minimalistic -- and not to buy an inexpensive pump that will not last.

Warren

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject: Re: Foot Pump?