Dumb question about air mattresses....adapter for a normal air compressor?

robcarync

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Location
Raleigh, NC
OK...so I am slowly accumulating some camping gear because I think it is fun to camp even though I haven't camped in a while. I am getting a coleman quickbed air mattress.

I am also getting the MV 50 air compressor ...for wheeling purposes, regardless of air mattresses:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200442866_200442866

Question is, what kind of adapter do I need to use this air compressor to inflate the air mattress? I don't feel like buying a special pump just to inflate an air mattress every so often....or does a tire style inflator even push enough air for a mattress?

There has to be a way to adapt the two, but I haven't quite figured it out...
 
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KChurch86

Banned
Founding Member
My air mattress has the typical clear rubber mouthpiece on it, but it also has a large (maybe 1 1/8" dia.) port on it for hooking up to the battery-powered pump that it came with. Of course, the pump died halfway through the first use, so that point is moot.

Anywho...I checked out the compressor you linked, and noticed in the lower-left corner of the 2nd pic. that the compressor comes with some little rubber nozzle things. What I'm thinking is, if the mattress you're thinking of using has one of those rubber mouthpieces on it, you could probably just attach one of the included black rubber nozzles to the compressor and use it in the mouthpiece on the mattress.
 

Silver dude

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Founding Member
I'd just pack a cheap 12v mattress pump. I have the same mv50 compressor and I think it would take forever to inflate a mattress. Air mattress requires a ton of air volume. The mattress pump fans large volumes of air into the mattress quickly at low pressure. The compressor is more designed for pressure then volume and as a result would likely take longer. If you really want to try it I'm sure with enough searching thru a local plumbing department you could get it to work some how.
 
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robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
I'd just pack a cheap 12v mattress pump. I have the same mv50 compressor and I think it would take forever to inflate a mattress. Air mattress requires a ton of air volume. The mattress pump fans large volumes of air into the mattress quickly at low pressure. The compressor is more designed for pressure then volume and as a result would likely take longer. If you really want to try it I'm sure with enough searching thru a local plumbing department you could get it to work some how.

Exactly what I was wondering and thinking. Sounds like I should just grab a 12 volt lighter socket mattress pump.

How do you like the MV50 for airing up tires?
 

Silver dude

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Founding Member
I bought the $9 12volt ozark trail mattress pump from walmart. Its been very good for me. I actually converted it to run on 11.1v lithium battery packs from my radio control vehicles so that I can air the mattresses a good ways away without always being tethered. The 4 D cell ones suck and don't have enough power. The 120v pump is a beast and packs a hell of a whallop. I used to run mine off a 500watt 12v inverter. I stopped using the 120v because its as loud as a leaf blower and not the greatest when rolling into a campsite after dark.

The MV50 has been great. It takes a long time to air up 4 33" tires 13-30psi. But, it can do it as well or better then the other more expensive options. I've read of other wheelers port matching and cleaning the casting of the head with a rotory tool for greatly improved performance. But, as rarely as I use mine it works well and is reliable.
 

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
I bought the $9 12volt ozark trail mattress pump from walmart. Its been very good for me. I actually converted it to run on 11.1v lithium battery packs from my radio control vehicles so that I can air the mattresses a good ways away without always being tethered. The 4 D cell ones suck and don't have enough power. The 120v pump is a beast and packs a hell of a whallop. I used to run mine off a 500watt 12v inverter. I stopped using the 120v because its as loud as a leaf blower and not the greatest when rolling into a campsite after dark.

The MV50 has been great. It takes a long time to air up 4 33" tires 13-30psi. But, it can do it as well or better then the other more expensive options. I've read of other wheelers port matching and cleaning the casting of the head with a rotory tool for greatly improved performance. But, as rarely as I use mine it works well and is reliable.

Great feedback. Looks like I can feel good about the MV 50...and just spend a few extra bucks on an air mattress pump.
 

granitex

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
Columbus OH
The cheap 12v inflators are so much better than a compressor for the air mattress that it is not even funny. They are faster, quieter, and just plane better for the application than a compressor.
 
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