Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 07:12:23 -0500 (EST)
From: Cashew  <cashewtheclown@mail.com>
To: clowns@egroups.com
Subject: Electric pump

I have had quite a bit of mail on the homemade Balloon pump. The main part
is an electric air compressor.  I didn't search too hard to see if i could
get just the 12 volt air compressor at an auto store.  I picked up a kit
12volt air compressor, 2 air horns with hose connections.  This is available
in most auto sections, as a car air horn.  The compressor power is from a
12volt rechargeable drill battery. The better brands have plain blade type
connectors on the batteries.  I have seen several drill sets around the
holidays for under $60, drill 2 batteries & charger.
The wiring is simple enough, power from battery goes to switch to turn on &
off the pump than over to the pump & back again to the other battery
terminal.  Takes a second to see if the compressor is running forward
(blowing air) or backwards, which it shouldn't be run in reverse for long.
An air hose runs off the compressor to an air nozzle.  I took one of off of
a handheld pump I had been using, cheap dual action kind from the store for
blowing up inflatable toys.
I assembled all of this in a small fanny pack. Was lucky enough to find a
blue one on sale, that matches my outfit. I put a piece of dense foam around
the compressor. (Was from a water bouy bumper that I had with my boat). Just
something that would not heat up or melt from the heat generated by the
compressor.

My pump will pump 260's for about 2hours, before i change batteries.  When
it gets down that long of constant blowing for working a line, it Does get
hot. I let it set for a few minutes, with the fanny pack unzipped. Always
feels good at the end to take it off, the foam helps insulate it from your
body & wiring.
I hope this will be useful to you.
If I get a chance to take photos, and send them I'll be sure to get them
here. I appreciate all I have learned on the Net, from BHQ, eclowngroups and
many others.  Bump a nose, make a balloon to make this world a better place.
John "Cashew" Fisher

Cashew The Clown
www.homestead.com/cashewtheclown
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