Meeks Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I have the old-style belly boat (w/ inner tube), and wanted to pack it into a lake deflated. However I can't seem to find a portable hand-powered air pump that will fit the inner tube's valve stem, which is the same as a car tire valve stem. I imagine something must exist, other than a bicycle pump, that would work. I cannot seem to find one in Edmonton though. Typically I use the DC air pump and inflate it at the truck, but I don't want to pack the inflated tube through the bush. Any tips or suggestions would be much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailhead Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Actually this is a question I have been wondering about as well. I have thought about buying some type of CO2 inflation system, as I have a bike pump that works but it is pretty bulky. Anyone have any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pipestoneflyguy Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I use a canadian tire inflation station - was about 40 bucks, comes with two handheld pumps plus all the adaptors (high vol / low pres + high pres / low vol) comes with 2 batteries. I've had mine for 3 years and the batts are starting to get tired but 1 will still fill the tube. (also comes with a DC adapter for the car/truck) - for your tube use the low pres / high volume pump, it gets you 90% there - I usually bring it up to full pressure with a few puffs but with your auto type valve you will have to carry both pumps (but you could prolly get by with one batt which keeps your pack light) or - use just the high pres pump only, takes longer but less to carry. The CO2 cartridge sounds like a good idea.... I find that myself, and a few buds arounds here all got sick of blowing up our tubes and we all just haul them full now - a little creativity and you can rig it up to fit perfectly as a big U over your backpack - it is surprisingly nimble if you get it right - I don't bother de-airing for anything less than 5 km Also - I have seen some mountain bike pumps that are pretty tiny - that might be a way to go too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonefisher Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 tried the little c02 things and even with the bigger cartridges available it was useless. The biggest cartridges I could find were about the size of a small soup can though. I guess they are designed for bike tires though..... So I ended up blowing it up by mouth (I can screw the valve out on mine) and used my last 2 cartridges to give it a bit more pressure as you can only get so much pressure with your lungs...... It worked but it was a major drag and was not as well inflated as I wanted. I also don't deflate for short hikes but for longer hikes or heli trips when you have to a decent bike pump or the one Pipestoneflyguy mentions would likely be your best bet....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crowsnest Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 As a test, at home I tried pumping my tube up with my 5 gallon air compressor tank that I compressed up to 150 p.s.i, I had to repressurize the tank 3 times to fill my tube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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