Bravo pump

Mickhitchuk · 08 June 2016, 07:06

My BST 12 BAT seems to have gone wrong again, it pumps but after 10 mins only had my air floor up to 5psi and seems to have stopped cutting out when it reaches pressure on the tubes, any how after having it sent back to Italy for repair 2 times in 3 years I have got fed up with it and have ordered the new Bravo 20 (£169.99 from Wetworks).
This pump has the crocodile clips for connection to the battery so what I'm wondering has anyone tried to power a pump from the power outlet next to the tow bar to save the faff of opening the bonnet, in thinking of getting a tow bar plug and wiring straight into that

Fenlander · 08 June 2016, 12:49

I must admit I will not be amazed if mine breaks one day as it's a similar age... but fault free so far.

I'm lucky my car has it's battery immediately to hand in a side pocket of the estate area so ideal for Bravo duties.

They take a hell of a draw on the wiring so if I were you I'd wire in a complete independent fused heavy cable line through the car from the battery to somewhere in the boot/hatch area.

Stigomery · 08 June 2016, 13:13

As Fenlander says - they draw a large(ish) current - it would require decent, dedicated cabling to the rear if you were to do that, simply hooking up to any existing wiring would not work (well, it would for a time until something melted)...

I kind of accept that if I get 2-3 years out of my Bravo I'll have had a good innings...

Mickhitchuk · 08 June 2016, 13:51

Well thxs for saving my loom😊, I didn't know bravos were so short lived , now I do I will just factor in a new one every few years instead of getting annoyed that it's gone wrong again, I can no way see how a great day out starts with foot pumping up a air floor

Stigomery · 08 June 2016, 14:03

To be honest after hearing some horror stories I expected my Bravo to give up after 6 months...

I think I lasted 1 inflation of my SIB before switching to battery power...

Fenlander · 08 June 2016, 14:18

>>>just factor in a new one every few years instead of getting annoyed that it's gone wrong

They should last longer... but it's my attitude too... sibbing is so cheap overall I roll it all in and don't begrudge the odd blip in costs now and again.

I have mentioned elsewhere I do mix in a bit of manual pump effort now and again if I'm very near folks in a nice quiet environment. The footpump that came with the Aerotec is one of the best I've used so far... well after the 1970/80s mahogany and Hypalon Avon pumps which were effortless with a good capacity.

Mickhitchuk · 08 June 2016, 14:37

To be honest I don't want to knock the bravo to hard as when I first got it I packed it badly and it switched on in battery mode and burnt it self out, I don't think it ever truly recovered despite its repairs, so see how the new pump goes and look after it a bit better
And I'll get a foot pump

Nick Hearne · 08 June 2016, 15:11

I paid £95.90 delivered back in 2008 and mine is still going strong

Probably given it the kiss of death posting this

ShinyShoe · 08 June 2016, 19:49

Actually...

The trailer socket may not be complete craziness! On the right vehicle with the right harness the circuit can be fused up to 35Amps. Others may fuse 20A and 15A. This would only be for dual electrics / fully wired 13pins sockets and you'd want to investigate first.

I think the Bravo needs 20A. Possibly fused to 25A.

To access power other than lights from tow bar you need engine running.

lightning · 08 June 2016, 20:05

Buy a 10 Ah battery from Ebay for £15 and use that to power the pump.
I had a 7Ah one for four years before it began to lose charge capacity.
The 7Ah one would inflate/deflate my 2.85m Zodiac twice without going flat.
I have had my Bravo BTP12 four years and it is still fine.

Mickhitchuk · 08 June 2016, 21:00

I agree with lighting that using a little battery works very well my bravo has one fitted in and has the power to pump up my sib fine, I was just curious if you could power the pump from the tow bar as a secondary option, I have a auto electrician coming to have a go at my electric seats on Wednesday so I'll get him to give me a report on the power outlet on the tow bar, to be fair it's no real hassle to clip on the battery, as always I'm just trying to make things over complicated