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.

[Catrin]

Awesome, thanks!

[lph]

I'm just curious here, because I think we have - counting the old beach mattresses, the not quite so old Thermarests, and the spanking new Exped mattresses - eight air mattresses in the attic, none of which use batteries
What is this "battery" of which you speak?

[Catrin]

I'm just curious here, because I think we have - counting the old beach mattresses, the not quite so old Thermarests, and the spanking new Exped mattresses - eight air mattresses in the attic, none of which use batteries
What is this "battery" of which you speak?

My air mattress comes with an air pump that is built into the mattress. The battery pack is for the pump - and is the only way to air the mattress

[TsPoet]

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?

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.

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.

You gals are scary. Cool scary, but scary.

[Bike Writer]

+ 1 to the above post. Awesome bunch here.

LPH, I'm glad you asked the question because I was scratching my head reading this and wondering what the heck is a battery doing in an air matress...I don't want to tell you what direction my mind was going in...

[bmccasland]

If the battery is to run the motor to pump the thing up, what about a bike pump? I'm sure you have one of those around somewhere - do you have a fitting to allow the bike pump? The air mattress I used to have, seemed to connect to my bike pump pretty easily.

Me, I prefer a cot, with an egg-crate mattress, two actually. Air mattresses always manage to loose air during the night, and they smell funny.

[Chicken Little]

paper clip.

[lph]

you're the best darn bunch of MacGyvers I've ever seen.

[Catrin]

If the battery is to run the motor to pump the thing up, what about a bike pump? I'm sure you have one of those around somewhere - do you have a fitting to allow the bike pump? The air mattress I used to have, seemed to connect to my bike pump pretty easily.

Me, I prefer a cot, with an egg-crate mattress, two actually. Air mattresses always manage to loose air during the night, and they smell funny.

The built in pump is the only way to air it. This is a great air mattress, it doesn't smell funny, the air doesn't leak out, and it is almost as comfy as my real bed