Replace OEM Air Pump

[chrisolson91]

Hoping I could get some help on the feasibility of replacing the OEM air compressor that's in my 2002 Cobalt 206. I really like that it's built in but it really is slow to inflate anything. I've heard good things about Airhead pumps and was wondering if I could potentially replace the existing pump with one of those that have alligator clips but instead of using the clips could I just hard wire it the same way the OEM version is?

Here is the OEM pump that I have...

IMG_0874.jpeg

I've seen some posts about how slow the OEM pumps are and most of what I've seen is just people use another separate pump. I have seen much about anyone actually replacing the built in pump with something more powerful so was just curious is that was an option to do.

[mdadgar]

Definitely get an Airhead pump. They are great.

I use this one:

https://www.airhead.com/products/12v-high-pressure-pump

It clips right onto the jumper studs under the seat in my boat.

[chrisolson91]

Definitely get an Airhead pump. They are great.

I use this one:

https://www.airhead.com/products/12v-high-pressure-pump

It clips right onto the jumper studs under the seat in my boat.

Yeah that's the one I was looking at. Mine doesn't have the built in studs under the seat like some I've seen. I was thinking I could just replace the one that's in there with this one and hard wire it up.

I haven't looked closely at how it's wired. Maybe it's more complicated that it seems like it would be.

[mdadgar]

I haven't looked closely at how it's wired. Maybe it's more complicated that it seems like it would be.

I'd be shocked if it wasn't just +12v and ground.

Literally.

[jhnmdahl]

I picked up one of these Shark inflators, and it's a 12V the same as any other. Got pretty good reviews and has worked well so far...

https://a.co/d/4wj9i4F

[chrisolson91]

I picked up one of these Shark inflators, and it's a 12V the same as any other. Got pretty good reviews and has worked well so far...

https://a.co/d/4wj9i4F

That looks pretty nice! Do you just use it separately from the built in one on the boat or did you actually swap it out? Looks kind of big is thinking it might not be small enough to fit in the compartment where the built in one sits.

I'm a minimalist at heart so hate the idea of having pump just sitting there not being used! lol!

[jhnmdahl]

I didn't spring for a built-in one (which is really just whatever one Cobalt buys and then charges you more for), so was stuck shopping for something. Airhead was the first thing I looked at, but we also bought a Paddle North inflatable dock to go with the boat, and this works great for that kind of thing.

Not very large at all - looks like it's about 11'" from the nose to the back (midway point between the two rear corners), and it's easy to stow most anywhere.

Several sites like this one gave it good reviews, so I decided to chance it: https://www.supboardguide.com/best-elec ... able-sups/