[pct-l] Finding leaks in air matteresses (was Big Agnes Horse Thief Bag)

[m_factor at hotmail.com (Mara Factor)]

I have a BA Air Core pad (the one without the insulation).  I had a slow 
leak for a long time.  It was so slow, that I had a hard time convincing 
myself at first that it really was leaking (temperature and barometric 
pressure can also play havoc with how firm the pad stays overnight).  But it 
eventually got worse enough that I would have to give it at least one good 
puff in the middle of the night to reinflate it enough to sleep.

Have you tried using the soapy water method to find the leak?  Stir some 
dish soap into water (you don't want too many suds), and then paint it onto 
the fully inflated pad.  The air trying to escape will cause the suds to 
bubble at the leak.  (It was a PITA, but I managed all this in my tub - then 
used the shower to rinse it all off.)

Turns out mine was leaking from where the surface cloth of the pad was 
attached to the plastiky part surrounding the valve stem and was obviously a 
manufacturing defect, and not a puncture hole.  I tried to patch the area 
but the patch didn't take as it was too close to the edge of the pad.

BA replaced the pad and I haven't had any other problems with the new pad.

If the soapy water trick doesn't enable you to find the leak, give BA a 
call.

Best of luck,
Mara

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>From: Shutterbug steiner <shutterbugg313@yahoo.com>
>Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2005 22:14:23 -0800 (PST)
>
>I have the "horse theif" also and bought the pad --- ... and miine has a 
>slow leak that I am unable to find.