05-08-2017, 04:55 AM
[quote happybob91]So I'm embarrassed to admit this but I just had to buy my second replacement air bladder for my float tube. Generally what can I do to be more careful? I bought an air pressure gauge so hopefully that helps, but today I was at a reservoir, with the air temp in the 70's, with the water being cooler. I took it out and inflated it, as it seemed to be deflating a bit. When I filled it up it seemed firm, but I heard that dreaded hissing sound. Any advice would be appreciated![/quote]
Very good information given above, just a few adds.
It is difficult for an inexperienced person to tell the proper inflation, so myself would get an accurate guage if I could't get help from an experienced tuber. I haven't had luck with the airhead dial type guages made under different names as far as accuracy. A low pressure pencil volley ball guage works better, but I adapted it myself with latex tubing.
You can also do a feel test at the hardest part of the tube away from the points which works with a little practice. Generally your knuckle should go in about 1/4" maximum at the hardest part of the tube.
One advantage of the bladder type tubes is that they can be topped by mouth tube (no pump needed) to the correct maximum pressure, which is about 2 PSI for the normal person. A bladderless tube usually requires higher pressures and the use of a pump. The mouth tube can just be the hose section from a manual pump. I was able to rig my older ODC 420L tube so it can be inflated while under way in the water, since all the critical nipples are within easy reach.
Hope this helps.
PM
[signature]
Very good information given above, just a few adds.
It is difficult for an inexperienced person to tell the proper inflation, so myself would get an accurate guage if I could't get help from an experienced tuber. I haven't had luck with the airhead dial type guages made under different names as far as accuracy. A low pressure pencil volley ball guage works better, but I adapted it myself with latex tubing.
You can also do a feel test at the hardest part of the tube away from the points which works with a little practice. Generally your knuckle should go in about 1/4" maximum at the hardest part of the tube.
One advantage of the bladder type tubes is that they can be topped by mouth tube (no pump needed) to the correct maximum pressure, which is about 2 PSI for the normal person. A bladderless tube usually requires higher pressures and the use of a pump. The mouth tube can just be the hose section from a manual pump. I was able to rig my older ODC 420L tube so it can be inflated while under way in the water, since all the critical nipples are within easy reach.
Hope this helps.
PM
[signature]