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Topic: finding holes in air beds - help!

ribble

30/8/2012 at 9:16am
Location: N. Manchester
Outfit: minnesota 4

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Does anyone have any advice on how to find a small leak in a Colemans double air bed? One surface is flocked and I'm not sure how to find a hole on this type of surface. And how do I get something that big into water to "see" the hole. At the moment I am considering using the bath, with plenty of towels around to mop up drips.
Any handy hints out there?
Thanks
Ribble

alahol2

30/8/2012 at 10:09am
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Hypercamp Rosas 4

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I've managed to find holes by just 'painting' soapy water over the surface and peering very closely as you paint. The difficulty comes if you need to seal a leak on the flock side.

youlbury

30/8/2012 at 12:08pm
Location: Cornwall
Outfit: Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0 xtr Vario

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Quote: Originally posted by alahol2 on 30/8/2012
I've managed to find holes by just 'painting' soapy water over the surface and peering very closely as you paint. The difficulty comes if you need to seal a leak on the flock side.

This above, I used a spray bottle full of soapy water, check the seams too.

Otherwise slightly less messy inflate the bed brush your hand/against surface...I know strange but it can work.

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It's better to ask a silly question than make a silly mistake.

martinjp65

30/8/2012 at 3:03pm
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After searching for half and day fixing what we thought was a dead CERT pinhole only for the damn thing to go down AGAIN I can now heartily recommend this foolproof way to a good nights camping slumber: choose appropriate profanities, screw the damned thing into a tight a ball as possible,carry out the back door,open lid of wheely bin,and cast the thing from your life forever,then purchase a campbed topped with a SIM! you will not regret it!

Francophile1947

30/8/2012 at 3:14pm
Location: Norwich
Outfit: Citroen Relay Campervan

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Quote: Originally posted by martinjp65 on 30/8/2012After searching for half and day fixing what we thought was a dead CERT pinhole only for the damn thing to go down AGAIN I can now heartily recommend this foolproof way to a good nights camping slumber: choose appropriate profanities, screw the damned thing into a tight a ball as possible,carry out the back door,open lid of wheely bin,and cast the thing from your life forever,then purchase a campbed topped with a SIM! you will not regret it!

Totally agree with that

and you get a much better nights sleep, with no wobbling or seasickness

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Cheers
John

Mucker1884

30/8/2012 at 3:19pm
Location: Derby.
Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings

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I've not tried this, in fact it's only just entered my head, but have you considered, instead of filling it with air, and searching for the leak, filling it with water, and letting the leak find you!!

Like I said, I haven't thought this through thoroughly, but it needs considering!

PS, if you could get someone to video it for us.....

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From July 2012: 23 nights

Tubby

30/8/2012 at 11:27pm
Location: Stockport
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I will go along with the masses of soapy water technique. Still took me about an hour to find the little blighter though.

ribble

31/8/2012 at 7:50am
Location: N. Manchester
Outfit: minnesota 4

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looks like I'm in for a hard time finding the leak!
We have tried SIM's (from Costco), but I didn't find them as comfortable as the airbed. This airbed has two sections, which is why it is so comfortable and why I think it is worth finding that hole!
Thanks everyone
Ribble

campinkev

31/8/2012 at 9:31am
Location: notts
Outfit: conway cardinal clubman

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Hi, just blow a few puffs of fag smoke into it then give it a sqeeze and look for smoke signals hope this helps

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ribble

31/8/2012 at 9:36am
Location: N. Manchester
Outfit: minnesota 4

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Sounds like a good idea, now to track down someone who smokes! But does this actually work for smaller holes?
thanks

campinkev

31/8/2012 at 9:47am
Location: notts
Outfit: conway cardinal clubman

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It should do get plenty in it then sit on it to force the smoke out it worked for us

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samblogs

31/8/2012 at 9:49am
Location: None Entered
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hey, in future, once you have found and fixed the hole, putting a cashmere throw underneath it or some other kind of blanket will stop the little bugger pieces of glass from making holes again. Or you could put it in a double duvet cover. Both seem to work ok.

nigel58464

01/9/2012 at 4:50pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Kampa Polzeath 8

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ours double when down when away, so out with bucket and soapy water, checked all the underside no bubbles. turned it over checked the flocked side hole in a join. so not always on the underside of the bed.

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Nigel

life in a tent = quality family time

shazzmattaz

01/9/2012 at 6:15pm
Location: North East
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Gave up with flocked air beds, the hole is always on the flocked side and I can never repair them!

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