Air Pump for 3-person Tube

[SCSTWG]

Took out the new 3-person tube yesterday with the kids all excited to try it out. My rechargeable Coleman pump did not have the power to get the job done. This is a huge and very heavy tube. I am thinking I need to go with a pump that is hard-wired to the battery. Any suggestions?

 

[mrmeaniemeateaterman]

I have this www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Overtons-12V-High-Pressure-Inflator/Deflator&i=44211&r=view

Works well but is really loud. So much so that I keep a pair of ear muffs with it. I use it to blow up a 3 person super brawler tube that I have renamed "Nemesis".

 

[SCSTWG]

That one looks nice, but I am not sure that I want to drive everyone nuts if it is that loud. I had seen an old thread where someone mounted inside the engine compartment and made an access port on the swim deck. Again, a little more than what I am looking to do.

How do you like the alligator clips? I was thinking if it was hard wired you just pull the seat and have immediate access. by turning it on.

 

[jcyamaharider]

I have that pump. While it is loud it also has volume and blows the tube up quickly. I love the alligator clips and the pump gets the tube nice and firm.

 

[SCSTWG]

I have that pump. While it is loud it also has volume and blows the tube up quickly. I love the alligator clips and the pump gets the tube nice and firm.

Are you blowing up an x-large tube? How does it do on deflating the tube?

 

[mrmeaniemeateaterman]

I agree alligator clips are a fine. Cord is long enough that you can fill tube on swim platform. while I have never timed it it fills/deflates that "super brawler" 3 person tube in about 3 minutes for large part and an additional minute for backrest part.

 

[jcyamaharider]

Are you blowing up an x-large tube? How does it do on deflating the tube?

I am inflating and deflating a chariot Warbird 3. Really big tube. Does great. Maybe 3 minutes for both ways as previously stated.

 

[KXCam22]

I have mine hardwired to the battery and permanently mounted under the seat. I use a long hose for inflating air toys. Very handy and out of the way. The underseat location dampens the noise. Cam.

 

[0627Devildog]

While not necessarily great for while on the boat, if you can blow it up before you leave the shore. . . . . I use my leaf blower with a homemade adapter (reducer + duct tape). Fills my 4 person tube right on up.

 

[mrmeaniemeateaterman]

Shopvac works crazy fast too if on land. Obviously you have to flip hose around to blow air. Just make sure shopvac not full of Sheetrock dust or you will have a tube full of Sheetrock dust.

And in related captain obvious news: the shopvac can deflate the tube as well. I will let you figure out how that works.

 

[0627Devildog]

Shopvac works crazy fast too if on land. Obviously you have to flip hose around to blow air. Just make sure shopvac not full of Sheetrock dust or you will have a tube full of Sheetrock dust.

And in related captain obvious news: the shopvac can deflate the tube as well. I will let you figure out how that works.

Shop Vac Sucks. . . . .

 

[SCSTWG]

I have mine hardwired to the battery and permanently mounted under the seat. I use a long hose for inflating air toys. Very handy and out of the way. The underseat location dampens the noise. Cam.

Do you have the same pump? If so, did you simply cut off the alligator clips and re-terminate with some ring terminals? Where did you get the longer hose?

 

[Ronnie]

I ve used a rechargeable, pumps with clips some with a 12v adaptor and some that run on a/c current. The easiest and fastest seem to be the ones that plug into a 12v port. All (good/fast) pumps are loud but I doubt anyone will complain once they are on the tube. Plus many come with long cords so I usually blow the tubes up on the swim deck.

 

[David D]

I have the AirHead 12HP pump. It comes with alligator clips. I cut them off and added to a new fuse block with a 30A fuse. It's a tad loud, but not as loud as I expected from the guys that commented about it being loud. $40 on Amazon and its eligible for free Prime shipping. Works great.

 

[jcyamaharider]

I have the AirHead 12HP pump. It comes with alligator clips. I cut them off and added to a new fuse block with a 30A fuse. It's a tad loud, but not as loud as I expected from the guys that commented about it being loud. $40 on Amazon and its eligible for free Prime shipping. Works great.

Holy Crap!!! 12 Horse Power, you use that thing to propel your boat too?

 

[cozilla]

I use the same Overton's pump. Works great and fast. A bit loud but no big deal.

 

[David D]

Holy Crap!!! 12 Horse Power, you use that thing to propel your boat too?

Thats funny! It's actually an Air Head AHP-12Hp. Looks like the price changed again - closer to $50.

Here's the link on Amazon:
AIRHEAD AHP-12HP High Pressure Air Pump 12 Volt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OF92KA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_dbUDvb1R7N5P7

 

[Ronnie]

I use this one. Came with a tube bundle from costco but they are usually less than $25 anyway. Loud? Some think so but my crew and I don't seem to care.

http://www.amazon.com/AIRHEAD-AHP-12H-Output-Pump-12-Volt/dp/B000FE5PBA/ref=pd_sim_468_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1SWKKN8N1ZY8GX9PYW6M

 

[jcyamaharider]

We have that one as well, ( one like it ) @Ronnie and it just doesn't cut the mustard. The air head, or the rebadged overtons same pump, works great at getting that little bit extra and a good solid tube.

 

[SCSTWG]

Thank you for the thoughts. I just ordered the Airhead 12v High pressure pump. Hopefully will be able to give it a try this Saturday.