[tsk1979]

I own a Cambell Hausfield Powerpal, which among other things also houses a good quality 250PSI capable heavy duty Air compressor.
Its no unnamed suspect quality unbranded product from china, but a reputed product and extremely popular in the west.
I have used it frequently for topups.
But it has a major drawback.
In the indica it takes a minute to fill 1 PSI.
So when the indica tire was at around 20PSI, I had to wait for 10 minutes before it crossed 30PSI.
you can well imaging its performance on flat tires.
Comparing notes with other users of products bought from India also showed similar results. 30 minutes flat to full.
Therefore, I decided to invest in a foot pump. A trip to Kashmere gate yielded one for 300rs. Its a small thing with bajaj chetak sticker on the top. Could not find the double barrel type, so settled on single barrel only.
Lots of naysayers told me I would spend eternity pumping, and in the end I will end up with the "bullet leg".
But still I decided to give it a shot.
2 days back came the acid test. A slow recurring puncture in my indica's old accelere tire(which needs replacent) means the in 10 days, air pressure goes from 32 to around 8-10PSI
2 days back I saw that the tire was looking flat, and indeed, air pressure was only 10PSI. So out came the pump and I vigorously started pumping.
30 seconds = 50 strokes kind of pumping,
After 30 seconds took a short breather, and again a 50 stroke session.
After 90 seconds of total pumping time, checked the air pressure in the tire.
33PSI
So an indica tire will go flat to full in I guess around 2 and a half minutes, and for the safari tire. I guess around 5 minutes.
Thats more than a 10 fold improvement over the electric air compressor.
I guess with a double barrel "heavy duty" pump this can even be shortened!

[shankar.balan]

this is a great insight.
I guess its because the electric pump simply cannot build that same level of pressure when it is taking its power-up from the car battery.
And perhaps it is better to use the old foot pump method - atleast it gives one some exercise as well!

[Jaggu]

Yup have tried this myself, good quality foot pumps are more efficient that the motor operated miniature ones. Worth investing in 2 since you are planning a long trip

[RX135]

+ Toned calf muscles and thigh muscles.
+ Reduced fat OR,
+ No worries while eating chocolates/ice creams (replace with any other fatty food of your liking )
+ Great health in long run.

So much for just Rs. 300? I must try. (And probably need to flatten the tyres once a day to be able to use it).

P.S.: I've an electric pump gifted by a friend, who bought it from US for me. It makes a racket and attracts lot of passers by whenever I've to use it.

[jkdas]

And it will keep one healthy and helps relax muscles more on long boring journeys

[yzfrj]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I guess with a double barrel "heavy duty" pump this can even be shortened!

That is really good to know.
Can you post a pic of a double barrel pump ?

It should me more hard to "pumping" in those right ?

I was thinking of getting an air pump, but was confused which way to go.
Old fashioned is best I think after reading your post.

Thanks for sharing.

[suman]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

So an indica tire will go flat to full in I guess around 2 and a half minutes, and for the safari tire. I guess around 5 minutes.
Thats more than a 10 fold improvement over the electric air compressor.
I guess with a double barrel "heavy duty" pump this can even be shortened!

Tanveer, these statistics will not work for you in the high altitudes that you are presently going to. You will be out cold for two days if you try that kind of vigorous foot pumping in that rarefied atmosphere.

Just my opinion.

[lambuhere1]

Can anyone kindly tell me the difference between Single Barrel and Double Barrel Foot Pumps Please ?

[finneyp]

Thanks TSk for sharing your experience.

I am happy I recently ordered a Foot Air pump, instead of the electric inflator.

[bblost]

Its actually faster to pump it slowly.
Push the pedal all the way down and let it come back all the way up.

Got one in my car as well.

Super deal, picked mine for 100 bucks in a clearance sale.

[santhosh_kumard]

I got myself for around 400 @ JC Road/BLR. But the problem with mine is that it shows the pressure while pumping-in. The needle goes back to zero as soon as the pumping-movement stops :-(.
Is there a contraption which can tell me the pressure in the tyre?. Where do I get those in BLR?. Thanks in advance

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by yzfrj

That is really good to know.
Can you post a pic of a double barrel pump ?

It should me more hard to "pumping" in those right ?

I was thinking of getting an air pump, but was confused which way to go.
Old fashioned is best I think after reading your post.

Thanks for sharing.

I could not get double barrel type. Only have the small single barrel type

Originally Posted by suman

Tanveer, these statistics will not work for you in the high altitudes that you are presently going to. You will be out cold for two days if you try that kind of vigorous foot pumping in that rarefied atmosphere.

Just my opinion.

Of course I am not going to do such action at high altitude. There it will be used just for topups. 5-6 Slow strokes increase pressure by 2PSI with this thing.
Moreover the tires are slimed, so I am hoping there will be no flats! Moreover I have the electric compressor also!

Originally Posted by lambuhere1

Can anyone kindly tell me the difference between Single Barrel and Double Barrel Foot Pumps Please ?

Foot pump has a barrel with a piston. So when you pump the piston moves and pushes in air. With double barrel, there are two barrels with 2 pistons. You pump and each stroke moves in double the amount of air.

Originally Posted by finneyp

Thanks TSk for sharing your experience.

I am happy I recently ordered a Foot Air pump, instead of the electric inflator.

Good decision I will say

Originally Posted by bblost

Its actually faster to pump it slowly.
Push the pedal all the way down and let it come back all the way up.

Got one in my car as well.

Super deal, picked mine for 100 bucks in a clearance sale.

Good deal you got. When I say fast strokes, I meant full up down fast strokes, not partial ones.

Originally Posted by santhosh_kumard

I got myself for around 400 @ JC Road/BLR. But the problem with mine is that it shows the pressure while pumping-in. The needle goes back to zero as soon as the pumping-movement stops :-(.
Is there a contraption which can tell me the pressure in the tyre?. Where do I get those in BLR?. Thanks in advance

The meter is faulty in your case. Mine shows pressure even when not pumping. Get a tyre guage. The dial type costs approx 200rs for good quality

[sdp1975]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Yup have tried this myself, good quality foot pumps are more efficient that the motor operated miniature ones. Worth investing in 2 since you are planning a long trip

Why 2 ? Do they go Kaput easily or just to be on the safer side for a long trip ?

[ghpk]

Originally Posted by sdp1975

Why 2 ? Do they go Kaput easily or just to be on the safer side for a long trip ?

May be cause the cheaper once don't last long.
(at least in my foot pump case)

My foot pump which was mere Rs.100/- saved my life 2 times during nights when my car tyre was flat and spare was found surprisingly flat too, but after using it for 3rd time when in morning i was pumping the foot pump, it got free, I have looked in much detail to it, but will check on it right now, cause i think its a must carry tool for every car owner.

[phamilyman]

Fully agree. I have been stranded courtesy no name chinese compressor. Nothing beats a foot pump. Within 10 mins - two swift tyres were well over inflated (we had no gauge) between myself and a colleague.

The electric pump isn't anything to write home about for cars. In bikes - its decent though