How long can I run a 12v matress inflator from my car before I create battery problems

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › How long can I run a 12v matress inflator from my car before I create battery problems

duckDecoy

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#303091 16-Jan-2023 11:24

In this post I explain that under the drivers side seat the carpets are sodden.

I am trialing using a 12v mattress inflator plugged into the car to get airflow under the carpets. There is a slit in the carpet that I can poke the nozzle into.

My question is how long can I run it for? I don't want to cause the battery issues.

johno1234

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#3021977 16-Jan-2023 11:31

If you have a dehumidifier you could put that in the car, close the doors and leave it for a day. Should make the interior bone dry.

As to the inflator... it would probably overheat and burn out before running the battery dry, but if you leave the car running it will never run down the battery.

duckDecoy

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#3021991 16-Jan-2023 11:48

johno1234:

If you have a dehumidifier you could put that in the car, close the doors and leave it for a day. Should make the interior bone dry.

As to the inflator... it would probably overheat and burn out before running the battery dry, but if you leave the car running it will never run down the battery.

We did that yesterday but today the carpet was still very wet. Ive got it set up again today and we'll see how it goes. I think the problem is the water is under the carpet and not easily making its way through the carpet. Perhaps it will just take time.

Silvrav

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#3021992 16-Jan-2023 11:55

What i can gather (and this depends on the exact inflator you have) they run at about 20Watts.

Also, depending on what battery you have in your car, but generally they are about 1,300watts (12.6v at 105ah battery) . You would need at least a 1000W to get the engine turned over, so that gives you about 12ish (taking losses into account) hours.

But, condition and age of your battery would also play a big part on life left.

as Johno said though, it will most likely burn out before the battery gives

pih

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#3021996 16-Jan-2023 12:08

As per a suggestion in the other thread, a wet vac would really help here. Suck up as much as you can, then empty it and change the hose to blow, pointing the nozzle under the gap. You'll get much better airflow than a mattress inflator. Leave that running (ideally with closed doors and a dehumidifier also running) for a few hours and that should sort the issues out. Just make sure that the dehumidifier and vacuum together don't exceed ~2300W on a single outlet.

robjg63

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#3022007 16-Jan-2023 12:49

I would also +1 for getting a wet and dry vacuum and sucking up as much moisture as possible, then try and leave the car in the sun with a window (or two) down so the air can get in.

Those inflators dont usually put out that much air and get pretty warm - Reckon you would probably seize it or flatten your battery rather than get your carpet dry....

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Mehrts

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#3022220 16-Jan-2023 17:28

I'd be inclined to lift up the carpet slightly to create an air gap between the body and carpet. Use blocks of timber or whatever you have lying around. That'll massively reduce the drying time.

Usually where the carpet meets the lower door sills is the easiest spot to open up.

I've had to lift carpet a few times after deep 4WD river crossings. To the point where I just removed the carpet entirely.