Towable air pump

[WaveDancer01]

For Christmas, my family gave me a Big Mable towable. I am looking for recommendations for an air pump. I am planning on using the 12V cigarette outlet. Thanks for your help.

 

[Lazy Daze]

The ones that plug into the 12V outlet are too weak. They may blow it up relatively fast, but they usually don't have enough power to properly inflate the tube "hard enough". Tubes should be inflated enough that when you step on it, they only depress a little bit. Not inflated enough leads to failure of the cover/tow strap.

Airhead makes a hi pressure pump - it has clips to attach directly to the battery. That one will be perfect.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Did it come with a foot pump? I foot pump my zodiac, only exercise I get, use it, your cardiologist will kiss you.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Then drink a cold beer when done.

 

[bobeast]

This is the one I use to inflate my dinghy. Worth every penny.

 

[Pirate Lady]

I was kidding. filled mine last spring, top off every 3 months, keep on rack full all year. If I had to refill every week I would get auto system.

 

[Blueone]

Airhead inflater...either 12v or 110v.... they both work great to inflate and deflate... we have both but default to the 110v for convenience. We use it for our dinghy and water toys...never owned anything better.

might check amp draw for cigarette lighter most good inflators recommend direct to battery

 

[RBB]

i agree direct to battery. We use a 12v air pump on our dingy a 14' walkerbay no issues.

 

[Henry Boyd]

I have one we bought several years ago for the beach zodiacs we had. It’s 12vdc and Italian made. The neat thing is that it has a pressure shut off that is adjustable and pressure is within the Zodiac recommended range. I don’t recall the name and it’s on the boat so that will have to wait until I can dig it out.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

This is the one I use to inflate my dinghy. Worth every penny.

That looks like a good one Bob, I may get one to pump up the Fentertex inflatable fenders Im getting for the boat this year.

 

[hblock72]

I use the Airhead 12v "clip to battery" mentioned above, but installed a fused high amp 12v receptacle at my swim platform and replaced the alligator clips on the pump with a matching high amp plug. It works great, I just have to make sure no one plugs it into the 12v receptacle at the helm. It wouldn't handle the amperage.

 

[Stingrayaxe]

I keep this one in the glove box. Mostly for topping off a tube or filling up a smaller float. That said it is remarkably powerful for its size. It will pump up our Big Mable in a pinch. The price is right.

https://www.amazon.com/Kwik-Tek-AHP...ocphy=9057531&hvtargid=pla-449399263374&psc=1

 

[Fill Ess]

Please let me know how it goes with the Mable. I was looking to get the 4-person one for the kids. I have an elec pump that I use for air mattresses but I figured that wouldn't be enough.

 

[yobub]

I keep this one in the glove box. Mostly for topping off a tube or filling up a smaller float. That said it is remarkably powerful for its size. It will pump up our Big Mable in a pinch. The price is right.

https://www.amazon.com/Kwik-Tek-AHP...ocphy=9057531&hvtargid=pla-449399263374&psc=1

I use this one as well. Cheap, and generally good enough.

High enough pressure for tubes, not for dinghys. If you want to use it for a dinghy (not the OP's need), use it to get most of the way, then finish with a foot pump.

 

[WaveDancer01]

Please let me know how it goes with the Mable. I was looking to get the 4-person one for the kids. I have an elec pump that I use for air mattresses but I figured that wouldn't be enough.

I ended up getting this Amazon.com : AIRHEAD Super High Volume 120V Air Pump Watercraft Accessories : Sports Inflation Devices : Sports & Outdoors

It only takes a few minutes to inflate the Big Mable. I inflate it at the dock and then strap it to the swim platform.

 

[Fill Ess]

I ended up getting this Amazon.com : AIRHEAD Super High Volume 120V Air Pump Watercraft Accessories : Sports Inflation Devices : Sports & Outdoors

It only takes a few minutes to inflate the Big Mable. I inflate it at the dock and then strap it to the swim platform.

So I'm confused by that It says it's 120V and draws 28 amps. It also says there's alligator clips for a DC hookup.

 

[WaveDancer01]

So I'm confused by that It says it's 120V and draws 28 amps. It also says there's alligator clips for a DC hookup.

The description is wrong. It is only 120V. There are no alligator clips for DC hookup.

 

[Fill Ess]

The description is wrong. It is only 120V. There are no alligator clips for DC hookup.

Ok thanks. How is the Big Mable working out?

 

[WaveDancer01]

Ok thanks. How is the Big Mable working out?

It is working out great. We used it for the first time on Memorial Day. We inflated it on the dock and strapped it down on the swim deck. Pulled two adults at a time and everyone had a great time on it.

 

[KevinC]

I have an old airhead that works great for most inflatables. To simplify operations I also added a 12v cigarette lighter outlet in the transom locker. Not having to drag a cord across the cockpit was a big help.

-Kevin