Installing an air pump for inflatables

[Drowned Rat]

I've been kicking around the idea of installing a heavy duty air pump in the engine compartment of my Sea Ray and connecting the outlet hose to a thru-hull fitting that would exit near the swim platform. That way I could just plug in a hose to the thru-hull and use that to fill the inflatable boat, or tube or whatever. We also fill large inflatables like trampolines and inflatable islands so it has to run for quite a while and they're loud. Putting it in the engine compartment cuts down on the noise significantly. I'd plug it into a 2000W inverter and have a switch on the dash so it would be pretty slick.

My question is, would it be safe from a fire hazzard standpoint? Could the air pump motor being in the engine compartment ignite gasoline fumes? There are other open electronics in there, but no brush motors.

Anyone ever done something like this?

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Installing an air pump for inflatables

Most air pumps are triggered by a relay, the relay contacts can spark, as well as the switches. That said, if you run your blowers similar to the starting method, I would think it would be okay. Be aware that large inverters have a huge draw, and should be run off of a secondary battery. Also, it must be kept dry, to avoid electrocution, or fire.

To be honest I wouldn't try it, why not just get one of those 12Vdc air pumps?

Ian