gamblin_man's Full Review: Tachikara Porta Pump Electric Inflator
My workshop used to contain a large air compressor to handle all the balls, tires, and other inflatables that seem to come with a family. When we moved to the left coast it stayed behind under new ownership. Well, inflatables seem to have accumulated out here too.
Tachikera Porta Pump Electric Inflator
Inflating or reinflating a football or soccer ball with a hand pump isn't too onerous. It could even be considered good exercise. Even a beach ball or bicycle tire, with a break or two, is doable. But when big air mattresses and exercise balls came on the scene it just got to be painful, not any fun at all.
We did some research and decided that we didn't need (or have space for) another big air compressor. We didn't like the small diaphragm-powered electric units. They reminded us of the fish tank air pumps that wore out pretty quickly. We noticed the Tachikara Porta Power Electric Inflator at a soccer game and looked it over, then checked it out on-line.
Amazon had it at a good price with free shipping so we ordered one. We have not been disappointed. The Tachikara is compact and not heavy. It comes ready to use in a heavy cloth bag complete with an assortment of inflation adaptors. It includes a short power cord, a short air hose, and has a pressure gauge that covers up to its 100 pounds per square inch capacity. The short lengths can often require a heavy duty extension cord. The cord is about long enough to reach from an eye-level outlet to the floor and the air hose will then just about let you inflate things at chest height. The brass coupler at the end of the air hose is ready to screw on the valve of standard tires. The adaptors included are for use with balls and such that require needle valves, two different tapered adaptors for beach balls and air mattresses, and a brass reducer for nipple type things.
It has pretty good capability for a small inflator. The motor draws 1.5 amps as it puts out enough air to reach the 100 PSI pressure level at a rate of about 1 cubic foot of air per minute. Tachikara suggests a maximum continuous run time of 10 minutes. We seldom need to exceed this time. It does get pretty warm when having to compress enough air to inflate a folded full size air mattress.The integral (but removable) handle does stay cool, but big knuckles can still hit the hot parts when lifting it.
The bag is a nice feature for storing and porting the inflator. It is a snug fit but that is probably a good thing. The warranty is the typical one year limited warranty. It is made in China for this Japanese sports ball company.
In Use
The portability and small size of the Tachikara Porta Pump give it the chance for many uses. We did a test the first time we inflated two air mattresses after its arrival. On one we used the included small diaphragm type pump and for the other we used the Porta Pump. There was simply no comparison. From the speed of filling them to the stiffness we could achieve in the air mattress the Porta Pump won hands down.
Of course we use it to keep the various balls we have around for grandchildren inflated. We just acquired an exercise ball and inflation of it to the proper diameter was painless. We have used it to pump up a low tire or two for neighbor kids' bikes. We have used it to bring a car tire up to proper pressure. We even use it to blow dust out of keyboards and such. After we finish we let it cool awhile if needed and then pack it in its bag and store it until the next time.
So far we are pleased with the value of the Tachikara Porta Pump Electric Inflator. We have talked to others who use one regularly and they have had no problems, one for three years now.
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