Battery Powered Air Inflator

I have a second hand Bravo and used it two times. Heavy to carry around and noisy.

This one looks promising with the Lithium batts and a cut-off...But than, Lithium are not the best for a heavy drain, would be interesting to know. Keep us posted!

Thanks for sharing!

My pump warms me up before a session also and doesnt need any batteries!! But might cost a bit more in maintenance

I have the previous version of the Ryobi inflator, it is a great tool to add a bit of extra pressure to your tyres after driving on the beach and pumping up bicycle tyres etc
BUT:
I found the high volume-low pressure side to be all but useless, tried inflating a few of the kids toys (2 ring splash pool) which hold less air than my 10m Switchy and gave up after 10 mins. Used the kite pump next and was good to go in under 2 minutes.

I guess a high volume-low pressure pump would have different ratios to a high pressure pump and don't think they can be combined in the same tool.

We have a little rechargeable Coleman air mattress inflator (under $50) that blows up our king size air bed in a couple minutes and still has enough to top the mattress up every night on a week camping trip without recharging. This IMHO would be the perfect pump for kite, I just haven't worked out how to adapt the different diameter hose connections to suit my Cabrinha.

Hope this helps

This is the better model...

www.lesailes.jp/webshop/pump/detail_electric_pump.html

BCF have some very light and portable rechargeable hi volume/low pressure air pumps for $50-$80
I used one once and was great to pump up my 17m.
Just connect it up and start running the lines out. By the time you have done that the Kite is pumped up.
BUT
Did require a few manual pumps to get it up to the required pressure.

Haven't bothered buying one tho. Don't mind blowing my kites up

The Ryobi and all those pumps/compressors that are designed to pump car tyres are low volume and high pressure, way too slow to pump a kite up. The Bravo pumps have improved over the last couple of years, but they are still not as good as the locally designed Island Inflator pump, and I have to say that although we have seen a number of Island Inflatable pumps fail, every single one has been replaced under warranty, even pumps that were a bit beyond the standard 12 months warranty. The latest version has an all metal high pressure compressor, and ball bearings in the crank/conrods.

What Rob said is the problem we have here...

One of the other guys here got a cheap-as electric pump that only does low pressure and mostly fills his kites with that, then tops it off by hand. May as well just do it by hand I reckon :D

Anyone tried using a compressed tank?

I use the bravo model. I have broken my back so pumping isnt a great exercise for me. I found a place in ontario canada where they sell it at150 dollars so i guess when they sell it at 250 or 300 it is a ripoff. It can be reliable but you have to let it cool down after 15 min of use. I burnt mine but we were pumping 3 or 4 kite in a row. Still it lasted 2 years. I will get another one for sure.

I have the Island pump. I can pump 5 kites ( not at the same time ) with one charge. Best $300.00 I ever spent. I run my lines out while the kite is being pumped up.

We have had lots of customers in talking about different alternatives they have tried.Would appear to me that the Island Pump is the only one that reliably does the job.

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Kitepower Australia said..

Rob S said..

I purchased my Island Pump from my local kite shop. (Soon after I purchased my 17 metre Zephyr)
The spring loaded mechanical switch to changeover from the low pressure fan pump to the high pressure piston pump is very unreliable.
My email was referred on to the manufacturer. Waste of time.

Bypass the auto switch which a manual change over switch.
Or better still stick with your manual pump

Weird, I tried to PM you but that function was not working on seabreeze just now??
I am certain that your Island Inflatable pump will be replaced if its not too old now, did you go back to the shop where you purchased it?
They had some issues with those switches, but every single pump we had issues with has been replaced no questions asked by the supplier.

Steve, Thanks for your interest. Perhaps my earlier post was a bit abrupt.

Tax Invoice # 38 dated 29/07/10
Paid $299
Switching problem started November 2011
Exchanged emails with shop owner and Garry at Island pumps between November 11 through November 16, 2011. (In my email archive)
I received advice on ways to free up the mechanical switch and the shop owner said that Island Pumps might be willing to have a look at it even though it was out of warranty.
I got it going for a few weeks and informed the shop owner. But then it continued to stick in the blower mode again. I could get it to work a few times and then it would stop switching again.
Finally, I have to admit I just put it aside and didn't bother perusing warranty. By then nearing 1 3/4 years old. My intention was to replace the automatic mechanical switch with a simple manually operated change over switch. I don't want a warranty replacement. When I extract the digit I will install a new manual switch.

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Lambie said...
Just a quick question for those that use the battery operated pumps - how do you secure the kite so it doesn't blow away while you are setting up your lines? Obviously a hand pump you attach to the kite with the short pump leash but an electric pump? Sit it on the kite? is it heavy enough to act as an anchor?
I've wondered about using my Coleman 12 volt inflator ( corded jobbie) for the 'bulk air bit' as it does a good job with ski tubes, air beds etc but Im 100% sure the kite will get some shape and a gust of wind will grab the kite and reef the plug out of its socket ( yes I often self launch off the 4WD bulbar).
So how do you hold the kite down while unattended?

Fill your helmet with sand and semi bury it. Attach your board leash to this improvised sand anchor and then to your usual pumping attachment point. If you want some added security, fill your seat harness with sand and create a secondary sand anchor. This innovative system will get you sorted. Set up your Gopro at an angle where you get the best view of your speedos as you stride out your lines also, so you can enjoy the momentsover and over again.

I unpacked my kite today and realised I had my pump but had left my b****y hose on the work bench where I was experimenting on how to connect it to the Coleman air bed rechargeable.

One of the local guys offered me his Island kite pump (not to keep unfortunately) and I have to say: I was impressed!
Mate had already pumped up his 17m and 13m, I then pumped up my 10m in less than a minute.

Set the pressure you want, hit the power button and the pump starts a fan drive which is very effective. When the pressure gets a bit much for the fan, automatically switches over to a piston pump and then shuts down when it reaches the pressure you set. The standard hose was the perfect fit for my Cabrinha but there were also about 5 other attachments.

@Lambie: I left one end of my safety leash on my harness and connected the other end to the kite then stood on the leash at the length I required, worked well for me.

BTW, as I was leaving mate was pumping his 17m up for a 2nd time (packed up 17 because the wind picked up nicely) but then it dropped off again later. Island pump therefore did the 17m twice, a 13 and a 10 without slowing down or re charging.

I am impressed and if tomorrow was Father's Day instead of Mothers Day his pump would be on my wish list.

We now use my dual cylinder 4wd tyre pump and take a.small.battery and.it.pumps.3 kites up.pretty quick

Oh too much technology!! LOL - I think I'll stick to the organic option!! at least the pump I dream about will also pack down the kite and hand me a beer!!