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sfrasernz

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#295302 20-Mar-2022 10:37
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We have a BIG inflatable raft along with other inflatables and are looking for a new pump to speed up the inflation process.

The highest volume pump I’ve found is 490l/min and is suspiciously cheap.

https://www.marine-deals.co.nz/inflatable-pumps-air-pumps/bestway-sidewinder-ac-dc-air-pump-12v

Does anyone have any recommendations of ones they’ve used?

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dt

dt
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  #2888937 20-Mar-2022 11:54
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Can't really recommend anything but can give you some experiences

 

I have this one because I wanted something portable, it has less airflow than the one you've linked and it blows up our double high air bed in less than 2 mins.

 

I also have another cheap mains powered one I bought for $9!! from kmart that does it just as quick 




DaveDog
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  #2888949 20-Mar-2022 13:01
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Don’t overthink it. Just head to Kmart and get one of these.

https://www.kmart.co.nz/product/high-power-rechargeable-air-pump/2493324

I used to use this to inflate our towable toys when the kids were into that sort of thing and also use it to inflate air beds when we go camping.

timmmay
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  #2888954 20-Mar-2022 13:18
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I got one from Torpedo7 that works fine to inflate a pool that's about 4x2m. It's so fast I think any pump will be fine.




sfrasernz

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  #2888956 20-Mar-2022 13:23
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Yeah they’re pretty inexpensive but the specs vary widely which makes me suspicious. Anyway for the money I’m going to try this:

https://www.kmart.co.nz/product/rechargeable-air-pump/2493903

1,100 L/min apparently! The T7 ones were 200L on 12v and 400Lon 240.

If the Kmart does actually pump that much air then I’ll be very pleased. I’ll believe it when i see it.

dt

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  #2889289 20-Mar-2022 19:41
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that rechargeable one from kmart is identical to the one I have, something to be warry of is that it doesn't pass through mains power when plugged in which can be a bit of a pain in the ass when you need it a pinch and it's flat..


Scott3
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  #2889339 20-Mar-2022 22:15
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As an engineer, when you specify fan's / blowers, the process is (in theory) pretty easy. You pick a target flow rate, and work out the back pressure on the system. Then you go to fan / blower suppliers, and get them to send you fan curves (a plot of pressure vs flow rate), and pick one that will give the correct flow at your calculated back pressure.

 

Of course for consumer grade stuff, no body publishes a fan curve, so any selection is going to be a crap-shot. Normally the volume published (if any) is at zero back pressure, so meaningless for real world application's. If you are lucky they will publish an approx max pressure, but this is rare.

 

 

 

One key thing to be aware of is what your target inflation pressure is. (sorry about the imperial units)

 

  • 0.3 - 0.5 PSI: Airbeds, pool toys etc.
  • 3 - 3.6 PSI: Typical for RIB's (rigid inflatable boats)
  • 6 - 8 PSI: Typical Kit surf
  • 10 - 15PSI: Typical for SUP's 

 

 

The dirt cheap pump's will only really do sub 1psi stuff well. You really want something with a gauge to do the Medium pressure stuff too. Anything above 1.5PSI is kinda an tricky middle zone between low pressure (airbeds and toys) and high pressure (tires), but there is specialty stuff targeted at the inflatable SUP's and the likes 

 

A major constraint of inflation speed is the size of the port of the device. Had one of those ornamental pool swans with the fittings that you put your mouth on for inflation (but was way to massive to do that way). One of the $20 high volume infiltrators was getting beaten by my 4x4 tire compressor (85L/min free flow, and 150psi max). Should be the other way around, but the resistance of getting the air through the little port was bogging down the $30 high flow inflator.

 

 

 

 

 

I would be cautious of that K-mart rechargeable blower for anything big. Batteries are 6V, 1500mAh, so only 9Wh of storage. If the motor consumes 30W (pretty puny), it will be drained in under 15mins. That said, at $20 is could be worth a shot.

 

Few options:

12V, external power:

 

Left field options:

 

 


 
 
 
 

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).
MikeAqua
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  #2889549 21-Mar-2022 13:10
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sfrasernz: Yeah they’re pretty inexpensive but the specs vary widely which makes me suspicious. Anyway for the money I’m going to try this:

https://www.kmart.co.nz/product/rechargeable-air-pump/2493903

1,100 L/min apparently! The T7 ones were 200L on 12v and 400Lon 240.

 

That will be open flow at standard conditions (sea level 22*C or something like that).  It's decreased by restrictions like and inflation nozzles and by increased pressure as the object inflates

 

For a similar type of pump, wattage is the best comparable indication of how much air is being moved.

 

We have one we bought at Burnsco >10 years ago.  Mostly lives on the boat, for inflating ski-biscuits/kayaks/SUPs.  Fills a double air mattress in about one minute.  I expected it to last a year with exposure to saltwater and bouncing etc.





Mike


johno1234
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  #2889571 21-Mar-2022 13:42
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I've found the rechargeable or cigarette lighter adapter powered ones (assume you are interested in boating application) are all puny and slow, but get there eventually.

 

The only genuinely fast ones I've seen for inflating large towable water toys have beefy clips for attaching directly to the boat's lead-acid battery like these ones:

 

https://www.amazon.com/RAVE-Sports-Pressure-Inflator-Deflator/dp/B0024G6BOM

 

https://www.overtons.com/overtons-12v-high-pressure-inflator-deflator-109572.html

 

 

 

 


MikeAqua
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  #2889583 21-Mar-2022 14:19
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johno1234:

 

clips for attaching directly to the boat's lead-acid battery like these ones:

 

 

But, respectfully: Don't do this unless the power lead has an inline fuse.  Bad idea to connect anything to your car/boat battery without suitable circuit protection.





Mike


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