Help jerry-rigging an air mattress

[Catrin]

I am starting to pull together my camping needs for the mountain bike clinic next weekend and all seems to be in order...except I no longer appear to have the battery compartment battery cover. This wouldn't be a problem if half of the contacts weren't on it

I really don't want to purchase another air mattress, this is a perfectly nice one - does anyone have an idea of what I can do to replace that battery compartment cover? I've had this mattress for close to a decade...

We have so many skilled women on this forum I figure that if anyone knows how to do this it will be a TE member

[Tri Girl]

well if you just need the contacts (metal), can you just tape a piece of metal over the open cover? If all you need is something to complete the circuits- would that work?

[Catrin]

well if you just need the contacts (metal), can you just tape a piece of metal over the open cover? If all you need is something to complete the circuits- would that work?

This might work, it only needs to stay in place long enough to air the bed... Now to find some metal, pity aluminum wouldn't work

[laura*]

Now to find some metal, pity aluminum wouldn't work

Um, aluminum would work.

I take it that the pump has two stacks of D (or C, or AA) cells inserted in opposite directions - and that the cover bridges between the stacks?

Some possibilities: A screwdriver, a fork, a knife, a key, a SPD cleat, a quarter or other coin.

[Catrin]

Um, aluminum would work.

I take it that the pump has two stacks of D (or C, or AA) cells inserted in opposite directions - and that the cover bridges between the stacks?

Some possibilities: A screwdriver, a fork, a knife, a key, a SPD cleat, a quarter or other coin.

Cool! Shows you how much I know - though I was thinking of aluminum foil. Yes, your assumption is correct. And only two of the 4 D batteries need contacts, of course.

Thanks for the ideas! I need to pick up some tape tomorrow and start experimenting after my bike ride...

[smilingcat]

Aluminum foil will work as well. Since the batteries are Dsize, I would recommend that you fold the aluminum foil so that you have four layers of foil to make the contact.

You can also use a sewing needle.