Sea Rider
Supreme Mariner
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 12,345
Since we are constantly testing different practical inflators for our sib & ribs, came across the new Bravo 4 Alu with Gauge, it's a dual action pump much better than the previous Bravo 4 & 6 models, two advantages, has a heavy duty alum middle piston shaft as opposed to plastic ones, whick break with time and abuse and a hose & gauge all in one system.
You can screw the hose to the rear of the handle with or without the gauge attached to it, the reading is "almost" perfect as the valve pin is always kept pushed open by the bayonet at the extreme of the hose. You can even unscrew the hose from the handle and use it as a gauge extension to check different compartment pressures while standing side to sib, there is a small flat diaphragm that seals air at the connectors's extreme.
Found one small issue, the internal bayonet actuator pin opens the valve almost at it's full travelling distance letting a huge amount of air scape while in the process of being pushed to lock on valve, the same issue when realising the bayonet and some times will stay completely turned open. The higher the pressure, the worst you will lose.
The valves found in most Asian sib & ribs are the gray ones with black screw at middle pin which are Korean and very well made and the ones that have stainless steel screw at middle pin which are made in China. For these last two, the solution is to break the internal bayonet plastic pin and drill a hole that matches a 14 gauge electric wire at the end of the rim, this will push the actuator enough for minimum air loss in the process of screwing/unscrewing the bayonet. When you finish pin backwards relocation, apply 4 glue drops at inner/outter new pin/bayonet to seal the wire to prevent air leaks.
Double action hand pumps works/inflates much better and at a faster rate than any foot pump, specially if you are a light feather champ with a light foot.. If you have an issue with buying a spare pressure gauge with adaptors than in most cases don't work/read well, this model would be the way to go, have it in consideration, check pics to understand modifications.
Happy Boating
You can screw the hose to the rear of the handle with or without the gauge attached to it, the reading is "almost" perfect as the valve pin is always kept pushed open by the bayonet at the extreme of the hose. You can even unscrew the hose from the handle and use it as a gauge extension to check different compartment pressures while standing side to sib, there is a small flat diaphragm that seals air at the connectors's extreme.
Found one small issue, the internal bayonet actuator pin opens the valve almost at it's full travelling distance letting a huge amount of air scape while in the process of being pushed to lock on valve, the same issue when realising the bayonet and some times will stay completely turned open. The higher the pressure, the worst you will lose.
The valves found in most Asian sib & ribs are the gray ones with black screw at middle pin which are Korean and very well made and the ones that have stainless steel screw at middle pin which are made in China. For these last two, the solution is to break the internal bayonet plastic pin and drill a hole that matches a 14 gauge electric wire at the end of the rim, this will push the actuator enough for minimum air loss in the process of screwing/unscrewing the bayonet. When you finish pin backwards relocation, apply 4 glue drops at inner/outter new pin/bayonet to seal the wire to prevent air leaks.
Double action hand pumps works/inflates much better and at a faster rate than any foot pump, specially if you are a light feather champ with a light foot.. If you have an issue with buying a spare pressure gauge with adaptors than in most cases don't work/read well, this model would be the way to go, have it in consideration, check pics to understand modifications.
Happy Boating
