Bravo BTP12 vs BST12 pump - what's the difference?

[Max...]

BST 12 HP at £126:

http://www.rib-shop.com/product.asp?...D=228&P_ID=494

Or BP12 at £81:

Ron Hale Marine Ltd - Bravo BP12 12V Inflator

Both HP but I've seen conflicting stats for the flow rate...

And do they come with the correct adaptors for Zodiac SIB's?

[Erin]

I think the main difference is that the BST has a much higher flow rate and is possibly more durable overall.

[Fenlander]

Been looking into just the same thing this morning Max!

As far as I can see the BST can give 3x the flow rate of the cheaper one while you are doing the initial fill. I'm guessing once the tubes/floor are full both pumps will top up to pressure quite quickly??

As I mentioned elsewhere I already have a 12v low pressure unit with a greater flow than any of the Bravo units so I could save £45 and get the cheaper Bravo unit just for the final top up... but that does mean two bits of kit to carry about.

One thing I'd noticed... some/all Bravo pumps say not to use a cigar lighter outlet but to run off the battery direct... bit of a pain.

[Erin]

The 20A draw will blow a fuse at least, if not melt your cigar lighter socket or wiring if it's not properly fused.

[Max...]

Thanks chaps - got easy access to the Landy battery so that's not an issue luckily. There have been quite a few reports of problems with the Bravo HP pumps though - how reliable do people on here find them? It's not exactly a cheap pump...

Found these Genovo pumps too?

Europa Sport Inflatable and Rigid Inflatable Boats

[Channel Ribs]

Perhaps not helpful, but.

I have been using a small hand-held rechargeable inflator from Halfords (Gelert also do the same thing), the tubes still need finishing off with a hand pump but this is no bad thing as it allows for proper pressure.

They are self contained, so no leads to worry about.

Erin may recognise it from it's other use - BBQ lighting.

https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...ator&width=800

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Erin may recognise it from it's other use - BBQ lighting.

https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...ator&width=800

If you knew how to light a barbecue properly you wouldn't need one! It's like admitting failure as a man really

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Erin

If you knew how to light a barbecue properly you wouldn't need one! It's like admitting failure as a man really

All very valid points, and yes I do like the traditional technique of foraging for tinder and rubbing a jetskier and a yachty together to get a spark.

BUT The sheer satisfaction of forcing air into hot coals and hearing the roar, seeing the white heat flare in all directions and knowing that any stray aluminum just got vaporized is well past my willpower threshold.

I also use sulphur sometimes too!

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

I also use sulphur sometimes too!

But only in conjunction with a bit of Saltpetre I hope?

(do we still have the bilges in this new fangled version of Ribnet?)

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Erin

But only in conjunction with a bit of Saltpetre I hope?

I do not kno3 what you are talking about.

[Fenlander]

Channel Ribs do you mean finishing off with manual foot pump or an actual hand pump like this one??

Seamark Nunn.com Discount Marine Equipment: Infltable Boat Pumps

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Channel Ribs do you mean finishing off with manual foot pump or an actual hand pump like this one??

Yep, that is almost the exact one. Certainly my favoured type, so long as it has a good quality pressure gauge.

Edit: Having done the volume of air with the rechargeable it is usually only a couple of strokes with one of them. As an aside we have inflated SIBs as big as 5.3m with that rechargeable.

[Fenlander]

That's interesting as I prefer to use the "stirrup pump" style rather than a footpump. I seem to fall off footpumps unless on dead level ground and the girls are too light to make any useful progress.

[Fenlander]

Just looking round the net again last night. Is this the cheapest Bravo pump that will give both high flow and reach air deck pressure?

Bravo BTP12 12V Pump - Manometer - Only £99.95 - Force 4 Chandlery

The BTP12 at £99-95.

I'm not making a final decision though until after the first trip with our new Zodiac and the pumps we already have. The ultimate test is always to see if you can manage a full inflate without a red face or dead leg... while answering random questions from non-boating public.

[Ribshop]

We are just about to bring in the new BTP range, what would you guys prefer the analogue gauge and setting or the digital one for around £10 more?

[Max...]

Just to update this - for the limited use I cannot justify the £125 on a Bravo so went to our local camping superstore and bought these (Gelert Hurricane 3 12v and 240v electric pump (£13.99), generic DA 4 litre stirrup pump (£6.99) and the best bit - 2 metres of really heavy duty convuluted waste pipe).



The stirrup pump is surprisingly well made inside (exactly the same as the marine branded ones I reckon but at 1/3 the cost) - opened it up to fully grease it. I wanted an electric pump that did 12v and 240v for all the times it is inflated in the garage/back for cleaning etc. This one:

GELERT HURRICANE 3 240V/12V ELECTRIC AIRBED PUMP CAMP: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure

Weak point on these things is the fittings and hose - replacing with the HD hose makes a big difference to ease of use and durability.

With a combination of odd pieces of thick PVC pipe and adaptors both pumps are usable at the same time and fit either valve on the Zodiac.



How does it work? For the money, fantastic. The electric pump will inflate each of the chambers to low pressure in around 1 min each. A further minute or so of hard effort with the stirrup pump finishes each of them off including the floor to high pressure - while the electric pump does one you can stirrup pump another. Not quite as easy or quick as the Bravo but half the time it took me with a foot pump.

[telecast]

Yes stirrup pump works well - if you add the optional children to do the work you don't need 12V or 240v and it keeps em quiet for a bit :-)

[Fenlander]

Useful ideas Max. By chance I was out at the big local camping/caravan centre* and picked up one of those Gelert pumps because it will be handy for me to be able to fill the tubes when doing cleaning/maintenance in the workshop with easier access to 230v than fiddling about getting the car in position for my old 12v pump.


* I was looking for some of that blue rubber over-flooring to put in the new Zodiac... I'll do a seperate thread.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Max...

electric pump (£13.99), generic stirrup pump (£6.99)

I reckon you have optimum puff for your pound there Max

[Max...]

Yes, and instead of being able to walk the next day because my calves are knackered it's now my back that's fooked!!