I blow up the tube at home with some gizmo that sounds like a blowdryer for hair. I do have a cig lighter on the dash but have only used it for a big spotlight I have. I have a converter that would allow me to plug the blowing gizmo into the cig lighter, but I am afraid I'll blow a fuse. Am I being parinoid about this? the boat is a 1985 Century

So, give it a go, if you blow a fuse, replace it. Then go buy a 12V "compressor". That's what I've used for several years - noisy, but works great.

My guess is that if the spotlight doesn't blow the fuse, the compressor surely won't.

What a hassle -- blowing it up at home. Oh, BTW, get the type that also allows you to deflate the toys as well. Major time saver.

i've got one that charges at home (or in a 120v outlet on the boat) and then runs on it's battery. it inflates tubes in no time and it very convenient.

Your big spotlight probably draws more amperage than your pump...

We have one of those inflator deals that sounds like a hair dryer and have never blown a fuse. Don't think it really draws all that much power but it inflates tubes much faster than anything else we have tried.

We use the Air Head 12 volt pump for our tubes and inflatables,, it works great and very low amp draw..

I blew a fuse trying to use an inverter with a standard 120v inflator a few years ago. I replaced the fuse and bought a 12v inflator and have never had a problem.

Could be the inverter--I have a 400 watt inverter that will blow a 15 amp fuse every time I plug it in to the cigarette lighter, but if I connect it straight to the battery, it seems to work fine...

My inflater is 120. Blows up a 2 man tube in 2-3 minutes. You can hear it from 30 yards away. I think it's 65 watts, if that means anything.

So FR you clamp the inverter directly on the battery? Engine running or not? My inverter did come with battery clips so thats doable. Should be trouble free, fuse wise.

My car has a regular outlet in it (plus a couple of the cig lighter things). Very cool item.