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sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Me again, I came across a balloon artist sometime back who had made himself an electric balloon pump. He had used a 12 volt battery and some type of scavenged tire pump or something, and had it housed in a small plastic lunch type cooler. Unfortunately, I seem to have forgotten all the details, and now I need one. can anyone help me?
Thanks Steve zzz |
RiffClown Inner circle Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany) 1579 Posts |
T. Myers has all kinds of balloon pumps from the manual floor pump to the battery operated type that is built into an apron.
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
<BR>http://www.riffclown.com <BR>Magic is not the method, but the presentation. |
sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Thanks Rob
T. Myers has a great site, and I had forgotten about it. But as a part-time NON-PAID Clown, I can't afford the prices for the nicer stuff he's got, although if I could afford it, He would be my first stop. I've heard nothing but good about him and his products. My problem is that, "non-paid" part. I have no sponsor and I have been lots of places. For example, we ("we"-I have taught my 4 kids clowning and ballooning) were invited to blow up balloons at a health fair. We did around 700 balloons in 1 1/2 hours with hand pumps till one pump gave out, and then my son had to blow up balloons by mouth (Unfortunately, I have two ruptured eardrums (nothing to do with ballooning) and can not blow up balloons without a pump anymore.) fortunately that was just for the last 45 minutes, and he only had to blow up about 100. At any rate, we need something heavier than a regular pump, and are going to have to improvise. If anyone has ideas, I'd sure appreciate them. Thanks Steve zzz |
RiffClown Inner circle Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany) 1579 Posts |
I would like to mention that T. Myers' PUMP0 is less than $100 and will easily handle almost anything you throw at it. If you prefer a hand pump, I've heard nothing but good things about the Pump T and that's only $65. Yes, a pump is an investment but it may be a necessary evil with the volume of balloons you're twisting.
As a one-time NONPAID twister myself, I can sympathize. I was working a parade and inflated a few gross of 260Q's by mouth and ended up inflating my saliva glands. I looked like a chipmunk for a couple of days.
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
<BR>http://www.riffclown.com <BR>Magic is not the method, but the presentation. |
Pokie-Poke Special user Bensalem, PA 883 Posts |
Spend the cash on a good pump, or on several ok pumps, so you have back ups. I built 2 electric pumps. It is kinda cool at first, but the bother of charging the batteries is not worth it most of the time. I have a collection of cheep ok pumps, this works for me. Looking to get a pump 1 or pump 0.
www.pokie-poke.com
The Adventure cont... |
sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Pokie-Poke
What kind of batteries do you use? Seems like if you use a 12V car battery, and you get one the same size as the one in your car, you could just switch them out while your car was running and let your car do the charging. (You can pull your battery with the car running and put in a different one, so long as you are careful with the cables, not letting them touch or become grounded, and with putting them back on positive to positive and negative to negative.) This should make the recharge simple and possibly as quick as the ride home. Steve zzz P.S. Those of us with money problem's still need ideas on this, so if anyone can help, I'd be much obliged. Thanks Hey, I've just come up with the "Politically Correct" phrasology for my problem. I am Monetarily Challenged. I'll have to put that with one a Tall friend of mine came up with several years ago for me, he said I was "Vertically Challenged" he being 6'6" and me being 5'7". Steve zzz |
Pokie-Poke Special user Bensalem, PA 883 Posts |
If you are going to use something as big as a car battery, get a marine battery. Or one from an electric wheelchair, as they are meant to be used like this. (charged/discharged) you will kill a car battery with this kind of beating.
It is still cheaper to buy one than use the above. I just picked up a virsa pack pump (Black & Decker). They don't make them any more, so this may not be an option ether. I might try to build the next one using the battery packs from R. C. cars. Mine takes a 7.2V pack but I have seen them as big as 9V. and a quick charger at the car would be easer (and safer) than a second car battery.
www.pokie-poke.com
The Adventure cont... |
sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Pokie-Poke
Thanks, this is just the kind of stuff I need. The experience you have with this is worth more than money. I didn't/wouldn't have thought of the problems with using a car battery, even though in the back of my mind somewhere I knew that it wasn't built for that type of constant complete drain and recharge cycle. I know I have seen the virsa pack pump, but I can't remember, what is it used for? As, long as I've got your ear, how long will a 7.2v pack hold out under constant use in a day? Do you need a backup for say, an all day walk around? Thanks again Steve zzz |
japanjazzy Regular user Crestview, Florida 139 Posts |
I have to back the T Myers pump. I used good old lung power for a couple of years. But one weekend I made over 8 gross of balloons and was feeling the pain. If you are donating your time you can still buy the pump and write it off on your taxes for your donations. It may be a little around the fact but it is legal. I don't use the battery pumps because I don't like the extra noise. Most of the places I work are inside and they are just to loud for me. Jazzy
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sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Thanks for the input jazzy. I'll take that into consideration.
Steve zzz |
Pokie-Poke Special user Bensalem, PA 883 Posts |
I don't know how long the 7.2v will hold up as I have not yet built the pump, but as I have the R.C. stuff laying arownd it was an idea.
If you find the black and decker pump. Get the gold batteries, as the other ones do not last long at all. I extended the hose and put the switch to the end of the hose, this way you can sling the pump on your back out of the way. The extended wires will cause more drain on the battery and the constant use (plus the bag you keep it in) will cause the batteries to get hot, change them out often and you should be ok. Keep the spare batteries in the cooler with your extra balloons. (DON'T let them get wet) I use blue Ice blocks or the like as I don't want the balloons to get wet either. The noise on the virsa pack is not that bad but I mostly use it outside. ALWAYS have a spare hand pump, I have 2.
www.pokie-poke.com
The Adventure cont... |
sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Thanks, Pokie-Poke. I found an airhorn assembly at the "Harbor Freight" store in Raleigh for $14.95 and am going to try it as a pump, as a friend suggested, and see how it turns out.
I'll let you know the details soon as I get the time to round up one of those batteries you suggested. Thanks again, Steve zzz PS I obviously don't get here often enough (sorry for the delayed response). |
MAGICBYTIM Special user Louisiana 531 Posts |
I would recommend the pumpo pump from T Myers. I only do animal balloons as an adder to my magic show so I did not want to buy a pump. I worked with the cheap pump for a while but realized that I could save so much time if I bought one of T Myers pumps that blow a 260q balloon with one shot. This has saved me time and effort for years.
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Angus New user 50 Posts |
T-Meyers sells a pump that looks just like what you're talking about.
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smile4wandini New user 50 Posts |
Some of the Top Balloon Twisters are using a Tank with nitrogen in it and it is cheaper if you rent one. Much quieter than a rechargable one. I own 2 Majiloon pumps and love them. I can also blow by mouth.
www.smilephoto.com
The Great Wandini |
Dave Lewis New user Anaheim, California 83 Posts |
I made an electric pump from an air horn pump (Pep Boys: $15), a 12v burglar alarm battery that is about 2" deep, 7" long and 4" tall. The battery is available from Fry's Electronics or one of those electronics supply places that carry all kinds of electrical and electronic supplies, not Radio Shaft. I used a momentary on switch button that runs from the "+" side of the battery to the end of the clear hose that fits over the output nozzle on the air horn pump. I taped the wire and switch to the tubing with colorful electrical tape. The inflating end of the tubing is fitted with about 2 1/2" of a Bic pen with the point pulled out. The nozzle will fit both 260's and 130's. I put the whole assembly into a fanny pack. Two negative aspects: noise and heat. The pump is both noisy and gets warm with quick inflations of multiple balloons. The alarm battery is charged with a power supply taken from a burglar alarm. It plugs into the wall and has leads that connect to the battery leads. It's clunky, loud and heavy, but it was cheap and it works. A friend who used to work for an alarm company was able to fish some stuff out of the trash to give me a power supply, so you may have to buy a new one and tinker with it to fit it with a power cord and the wires to connect it to the battery. Have fun!
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haccis New user 42 Posts |
If you want to do over 100 balloons in hour, T.Myers pump0 and pump1 are only choice for you. They are silent, fast and don't use electric power, don't produce heat and you can work 8h or more with em without breaks (If you really want work so much).
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Comedy Writer Special user 594 Posts |
As a starter pump I reccomend the '260 blaster.' Runs $5.50 ( T. Myers)and is both fast and reliable.
CW |
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