Leaf blower or Ryobi inflator to inflate boat

[dukeblaster]

Had my inflatable for about a year now... very fun. I got one with an air floor due to space constraints at my apartment (boat goes in a box on my porch when not in use).

However, I am looking for a way to inflate this thing faster since I sometimes only get to use it for a couple of hours at a time. As of now I use a colman matress pump and finish it off with a hand pump... takes me 30 mins to setup the boat.

Thinking about either adapting a leaf blower to my inflation hose to speed the process up. Wondering if anyone has tried that or if it might not be a good idea... I have those hawlkey-roberts valves and didn't know if i'd blow out a internal seal or something with too much air flow.

Another option was that Ryobi inflator they sell at home depote but didn't feel like dropin the 50 bucks on it if it didn't work out that great. It looks promising since it has a low pressure high volumn setting with a auto shutoff when it hits a certain pre-set pressure. Also it runs on the 18V Plus 1 system which I already own mult. ryobi tools. Just wondering if anyone has actually used it to blow up a boat?

Thanks,
Johnny

 

[dlindeblad]

Re: Leaf blower or Ryobi inflator to inflate boat

I would stay away from using the leaf blower, especially if it is gas powered. I have never used the Ryobi inflater myself. I know you are looking at the cost associated with an electric pump, but if you really want to buy a good pump someday this is great.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|294|88529|320520&id=771755

It has a 2 stage HP/LP auto setting as well as a dial in the center to select the desired PSI.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Leaf blower or Ryobi inflator to inflate boat

Actually the leaf blower works great to inflate but obviously not so good to deflate. The thing that works best and the fastest is a shop vac that you can use as a blower. Inflates SUPER fast and deflates too.

 

[cpubud]

Re: Leaf blower or Ryobi inflator to inflate boat

I second the shop vac, works great.

 

[dlindeblad]

Re: Leaf blower or Ryobi inflator to inflate boat

A shop vac would work, but be sure to empty and clean it unless you want bits and pieces of what you sucked up previously, deposited in your boat tubes.

 

[likalar]

Re: Leaf blower or Ryobi inflator to inflate boat

Since you already have the batteries, buy the $50.00 Ryobi inflator. Save all the packaging, and return it if it doesn't work for you. The specs look pretty good, (but I wish they listed cfm) and Home Depot is lenient about returns (at least our local HD is). It also will be handy for tires, etc.....Good luck.