Product Review: Portable Electric Pump/Compressor

[Yogesh Sarkar]

For most Motorcycle tourers having a puncture means big trouble, especially since neither do we have a spare tyre like Cars and Scooters and unlike Bikes, Motorcycle are too heavy to push over a long distance. Alternative to this is carrying a spare tube and or a puncture repair kit.

A pump is an essential part of this kit and having a portable electric pump is far more convenient then carrying bulky foot pump. Add to that an electric pump is easier to operate and hardly takes any effort.

When I was preparing for Ladakh trip I brought this electric pump on the recommendation of Manik, who had brought one a couple of months back.



The pump itself costed Rs.450 (without warranty from Karol Bagh, New Delhi) and getting the car cigarette lighter socket installed costed another Rs.50. I have used this pump a few times since I purchased it and I am quite impressed with its performance.

This pump can be used with 12volt 7amp battery, which unfortunately means only motorcycles which come fitted with electric starter can take its load. Further if the service center people see a car cigarette lighter socket installed on your motorcycle they might void your motorcycles warranty, so always take the socket off before going to the service center .

Beside the above posted negative aspects, I am yet to find any other problems with it. This is one thing that I would recommend to all the motorcycle tourers and car tourers.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Those who want to get the electric pump and want to know how to install the cigarette lighter socket, here is the photo of the installed socket on my motorcycle.



As you can see from the photo, the red wire is attached to the base of the socket and is also connected to the plus connector on the battery. The white wire is grounded along with the other wires to the chassis.

[srikary]

Wouldnt it be easier to cut off the cigarette lighter plug and install two "crocodile clips" so that you can hook them on to the battery terminals directly?

[hitanshu]

No trust me. You DONT want to take your saddlebags off in the More plains, and attach any clips.

You want something which is not directly exposed to rain, so under seat/tank, has a switch (for accidental/drain of battery), and can be pulled out in a jiffy when your bike's tyre takes a hit!

[chiragv]

Does Anyone know where can I get in Mumbai ?

[anupmathur]

Chirag, check under Travel Gear>Puncture sealant. (N1 Racing, Mumbai). I've mentioned one which is from SLIME but you need to be well heeled for this one!
The 'Mini Smart Spair'. See here: http://www.speedworksindia.com/slime2.htm

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Saw a variant of the electric compressor today; it had a big torch upfront. I guess that would be a good option for car owners, though for bikers it would be a tad too big.

[hitanshu]

What you need to use is to cut away the standard housing, and instead use the same base plate to fix it into a small tiffin box - i've seen it with doc arn. saves helluva space, and is much much better for cooling. If its used to inflate a tyre that's almost flat at short intervals, then it does heat up a bit. You may need to remove the pressure gauge, and plug it though.
Better than a torch, frankly is some sorta light that works from ciggy lighter given that in such a large group, there could be the possibility of a prolonged breakdown (say even in the qualis). Normal torches would've burnt out long back.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by hitanshu

Normal torches would've burnt out long back.

Not really.... do try out the LED types. They simply go on & on..... particularly if you buy the 2XAA (cells) models.
And YS, don't get tempted by the torch on an air compressor; not really useful. A small torch would do fine.
I'm in love with the cutie from Slime, though it'll probably never get used; I've 'slimed' my tyres.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Not really interested in it Anup, it costs Rs. 600 while the one without torch small pump (a tad less powerful than torch pump) costs only Rs. 350.