I bought this pump only 2 years ago and it's probably only done a couple of dozen inflations so a bit disappointing for the battery to fail, but I was expecting it. The signs were there. It first let me down a year ago at Poole where my day was rescued by a boost from @ChrisParish lipo batteries. I had charged the battery a couple of days before, but it only got halfway through the job before it lost power. Other than that occasion it's been a solid performer.
Also don't be taken in, as I was, with the vague descriptions of this pump. Yes it's a good pump, but it is single stage. I've seen it described as dual cylinder, which I'm sure it is, but it's a dedicated high pressure pump guffing out about 125lt/min so while you could inflate the whole boat with it, you'll be there all day. I get the bulk of the air into the tubes with a cheap airbed pump at 600+lt/min then top up with the Bravo. This is not a cool two stage pump like some of the other Bravos.
I last used the pump in September when circumstances forced me to pack up for the winter. I charged it fully then stored it in a garage that would have got a little chilly, but never below freezing.
Last week I had a bit of a shuffle around of stuff with the plan of inflating the T38 and doing a bit of an engine service. Step 1 was putting the pump on charge and it was immediately apparent that something was wrong. It has red, amber and green charging LEDs during charging and was immediately green even though it wouldn't run.
I opened up the pump case so I could put a meter across the battery terminals. How do some manufacturers manage to find screws that seem to be made of cheese and don't fit any known shape of screwdriver head? Somehow I managed to get it open without rounding any of the crappy screws and low and behold the battery was showing a mighty 4v.
New battery time. It takes a 12v 9ah battery with standard dimensions so I sent for a Yucel from Amazon. As far as I can tell that's made by Yuasa who I trust after having reliable Yuasa batteries in bikes over the years.
- Screws removed and cover released
- The incumbent battery
The spade connectors of the existing battery had been soldered in place. Presumably to prevent being vibrated loose, but I think this is serious overkill. These connectors normally click into place very securely when fresh. They can get a bit saggy if regularly popped on and off, but that's unlikely to be the case here.
- Melting solder
Of course de-soldering was completely pointless as the spades were full of solder and wouldn't go on to the new battery terminals so I just chopped them off and fitted new female spades.
- Fresh connectors
I pulled the bits of damping foam off the old battery and glued them to the new one and wiggled it into place.
- The new boy
- In final position
And finally all back together and plugged in to show it taking a charge. It runs with previously unheard vigour (once I remembered to put the fuse back in).
- Back in one piece
Tomorrow I plan to inflate the boat and see if it's been attacked by little furry beasts.
Expensive pump resurrected with £17 battery replacement.
