I have an old Pumpo and various Qualatex pocket pumps. I wondered if an electric is too noisy and are there better alternatives around. Share your experience, please.

I still use the hand pumps.... I know a few people who use the big PVC-based floor pumps. I don't think I have any friends using the electric ones, but have seen them at conventions. I have broken a few of the hand pumps, but haven't invested in anything else.

I got one as I was having problems with tendonitis and painful to pump up balloons, thankfully that resolved. I do more face painting than balloons so I would forget to charge up the battery, and once it dies completely I couldn't get it to charge back up, bought a second one and did the same thing, their more like weedeater size batteries, and $$ to replace. I'd rather spend the money on a floor pump than another electric.

Do you want to sell your electric?

I just started using an air compressor for the fairs. I keep it in the back of my truck and run the hose out the window so 95% of the noise is inside the truck. Its really handy for blowing the balloons and to cool off when it's hot :)

I love my Filbert pump! I have two of them now in custom colors!
Punkin

Heheh, all I have is a tiny hand pump that looks like a plastic syringe :D it's terrible! I should really get a new one.

Checked out the Filbert - great look and good price. Also found do it yourself at Balloonhq.com. Thanks for all the good input.

Don't forget to check out my fave. the min mac lite!
www.macpump.org (http://www.macpump.org)

Not that I've had experience with electric pumps but from what I've read from other twisters I''m not sure I would invest the $. I too am looking for something better than a floor pump and decided against an electric. The major drawbacls I've seen are the noise, they have a tendency to overheat when used constantly like in line work, they can only go 4 hours on a charge, which may be long enough for you but maybe not for longer gigs. Thanks Sue for the battery info, I had never heard that before. Also Scruffy, if you really want an electric pump I had a lady/former twister try to sell me two of them at the waterpark a couple of weeks ago. I gave her my info but she hasn't gotten back to me, yet. I will let her know I have someone interested if you really want one and she does get back to me.
Sara K.

I have built my own electric pumps.
However I always seem to go back to a hand pump.
I did order a Filbert in September

Tom

The regular sized qualitex is probably the best one on the market.

The electric pumps are hard to tote around and I hate the buzzing.

If I have a show where I am going to go through a lot of balloons I get and assistant. If you know you are going to go through a lot of blloon you can inflate the dog sized balloons ahead of time.