Interest in auto inflator for door seal?

[ragedracer1977]

I know a lot of us have inflatable door seals, most with hand pump bulbs.  I’ve got an idea for an automatic pump.  Actually more than an idea.  I built one. 

I know there was an AD and now they have non-AD pumps.  But it seems they’re $1200 or so.  Can’t seem to find an actual price.  I can come in way below that.
 

i built a system that can be controlled by a micro switch on the door handle or whatever you decide.  Or it could be manually switched off and on. Powered by a cigarette lighter. Might try to figure out USB power. Stand alone, wouldn’t need an STC.  If microswitch controlled, it inflates the seal automatically when power is applied and the door is closed; and when the power is cut the air dumps immediately when the handle is moved.  Preventing a passenger from opening the door on an inflated seal. Also maintains pressure. If you have a small leak, the pump would periodically run to keep your seal inflated.

Built in overheat protection to prevent fire. If the motor starts running continuously and/or overheats, a thermal fuse blows cutting power to the unit.  And it’s not resettable, the fuse would have to be replaced, “forcing” you to fix the issue.

 I’ve tested it, but need to run it in the plane for a while.  Thinking about maybe offering for sale if it works out.  Would anyone be interested in it if it does?

 This is what it looks like.  At least for now. I have a gauge on this one just for testing purposes. Box could be quite a bit smaller without the plumbing for the gauge.

Edited March 5 by ragedracer1977

[00-Negative]

I am definitely interested. Good idea. I'll buy it from you. I don't care about paperwork, major vs minor modification, STC, 337, 8130, TCDS, NORSEE, OPP, etc. This falls under the category, "Creature Comforts" along with air vents, sun visors, and cupholders. The other category is "Do what makes sense to keep your plane in the air". I have yet to read an NTSB report that summarized the interior furnishings of the plane or even noted any modifications. I don't think anyone is verifying that the GI-275 was installed by a Garmin certified "avionics technician". It seems they spend more time verifying that the instrument was functioning as intended. I have read reports reviewing inappropriate or lack of maintenance and ineffective repairs, but nothing regarding the burn certs for the leather covering on a guy's yoke. I  am ranting because I have seen great and well-intentioned ideas come up on this forum that end up vanishing because people instantly question the legality of everything. Not just here, it's worse on the Facebook groups. A guy recently posted a pic of his panel illuminated in purple by an LED light strip. Born and raised in LSU Tiger country, I thought it looked great. The Karens came out instantly.  End of rant...

I would much prefer a smaller footprint without a gauge. As small as possible. 

On a different note: I recently replaced all of my door seals after sitting in my plane waiting out some rain and watching water drip in thru both doors as well as the avionics bay.. I recently parked outdoors for a weekend event and the plane was unexpectedly rained on soaking the copilot seat. I read on this forum that slightly inflating the seal prior to closing the door can prevent this. Of course I forgot to do this. And I don't like the stress on the door and the seal when closing with partial inflation. If your controller comes to fruition, I will probably look to add a 2nd switch mounted by the baggage door so I can inflate after egress when I leave my plane uncovered outside.

 

-David

[Pinecone]

Hmm, where does this mount?  Could it be mounted inside the door panel.

I like it.  I would consider it.

[N201MKTurbo]

If you wanted to make it USB powered, you would need to make it battery powered and use the USB to charge the battery. The running current is probably too much for USB, but the average current should be just fine.

[ragedracer1977]

6 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

If you wanted to make it USB powered, you would need to make it battery powered and use the USB to charge the battery. The running current is probably too much for USB, but the average current should be just fine.

I was thinking along the lines of the USB-C 100W PD.  

[ragedracer1977]

6 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Hmm, where does this mount?  Could it be mounted inside the door panel.

I like it.  I would consider it.

I figured just stick it under the seat. Right now it’s about 8x5x3 (mostly because that was the size of box I already had), but I think I can get it down to about 4x4x2.5 - would fit about anywhere 

[N201MKTurbo]

28 minutes ago, ragedracer1977 said:

I was thinking along the lines of the USB-C 100W PD.  

You don't find many USB outlets in a plane that meet that spec. USB3 is only 4.5 W

[ragedracer1977]

Well… I have a semi-finalized unit.  Still a few things I’m working on but it works great.  Final size is 4x4x3.  Not really able to get it much smaller than that.  Maybe I could shave a 1/4” off a side, but then you’re in to custom boxes at a much higher cost for basically no gain.  

Can be powered either by a cig lighter adapter (12 or 24v - just inflates a little slower on 12v) or a battery pack like this Anker product (https://a.co/d/40sL1ny) which outputs 20.2v over USBc PD to a 5.5x21 plug.   According to the power bank’s onboard monitoring, it will run for about 48 hours on a charge. If you really wanted to get bougie, you could install one of these mid continent ports. https://www.mcico.com/truebluepower/6430360-27

Illuminated on/off switch. 1/4” push-to-connect fitting making it very easy to connect to your existing tubing. 5.5x2.1 input jack.  
 

i currently have a couple in testing.  When I’m satisfied, I’ll let y’all know.  I’m looking at $4-500 depending on accessories with a 5 year warranty.

[Coachella Bravo]

Sweet !

Keep us posted

[LANCECASPER]

3 hours ago, ragedracer1977 said:

Well… I have a semi-finalized unit.  Still a few things I’m working on but it works great.  Final size is 4x4x3.  Not really able to get it much smaller than that.  Maybe I could shave a 1/4” off a side, but then you’re in to custom boxes at a much higher cost for basically no gain.  

Can be powered either by a cig lighter adapter (12 or 24v - just inflates a little slower on 12v) or a battery pack like this Anker product (https://a.co/d/40sL1ny) which outputs 20.2v over USBc PD to a 5.5x21 plug.   According to the power bank’s onboard monitoring, it will run for about 48 hours on a charge. If you really wanted to get bougie, you could install one of these mid continent ports. https://www.mcico.com/truebluepower/6430360-27

Illuminated on/off switch. 1/4” push-to-connect fitting making it very easy to connect to your existing tubing. 5.5x2.1 input jack.  
 

i currently have a couple in testing.  When I’m satisfied, I’ll let y’all know.  I’m looking at $4-500 depending on accessories with a 5 year warranty.

Or you could just buy the STC’d inflator from @tomgo2 and have a legal installation.

The manual bulb works great and is simple and weighs virtually nothing and has universal parts that are easily replaceable.

This looks like a solution in search of a problem.

[A64Pilot]

1 hour ago, LANCECASPER said:

The manual bulb works great and is simple and weighs virtually nothing and has universal parts that are easily replaceable.

$7 bucks on Amazon, cheaper if you don’t want the hose, my hose was dry rotted

 

[ragedracer1977]

1 hour ago, LANCECASPER said:

Or you could just buy the STC’d inflator from @tomgo2 and have a legal installation.

The manual bulb works great and is simple and weighs virtually nothing and has universal parts that are easily replaceable.

This looks like a solution in search of a problem.

I’ll put you on the not interested list under “Karen”. 

[ragedracer1977]

2 minutes ago, A64Pilot said:

$7 bucks on Amazon, cheaper if you don’t want the hose, my hose was dry rotted

 

I have one of those bulbs. It’s an absolute PITA.  But I also fly a plane where I can’t really reach the door while flying, so mine has been strung under the panel and clips down by my leg.  It’s always in the way.  And I have to fiddle with it when I climb to add more air. 
 

That, and I like automation and not having every passenger wonder why i have a blood pressure bulb bobbing around.   I get it.  Upgrades aren’t for everyone. 

[LANCECASPER]

5 hours ago, ragedracer1977 said:

I’ll put you on the not interested list under “Karen”. 

Interesting, you're not even a supporter of the forum, and yet you post an idea for a product you want to sell to members of the forum. You're not open to any contrary ideas about your product and then when you get one, instead of defending your product you attack the person by name-calling (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_(slang)).

Sounds like your customer service would be amazing. Sign me up for two.

 

[N201MKTurbo]

AD 98-21-21 only mentions two methods of compliance, reverting to the manual bulb or installing the new style pump. Which is $1500.

Anything else would be contrary to the STC and AD.

[ragedracer1977]

12 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

AD 98-21-21 only mentions two methods of compliance, reverting to the manual bulb or installing the new style pump. Which is $1500.

Anything else would be contrary to the STC and AD.

This is true, but only if you installed something new. A box that plugs into the cig lighter or runs on a battery would not be installed.  
 

You do have me wondering.  The AD prohibits new installs of bob field door seals, but they’re still for sale.  Did they get a new STC?

[ragedracer1977]

13 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

Interesting, you're not even a supporter of the forum, and yet you post an idea for a product you want to sell to members of the forum. You're not open to any contrary ideas about your product and then when you get one, instead of defending your product you attack the person by name-calling (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_(slang)).

Sounds like your customer service would be amazing. Sign me up for two.

 

Actually I was just laughing at your contradictory language.  Clearly you see there is value in an electric inflator or you wouldn’t recommend a different one.

i am certainly open to contrary ideas.  See the posts right after yours that were constructive.

Also, I am a supporter of the site. I read and provide content in exchange for advertising revenue paid to the site. When I do wish to sell things here, I pay the fee to do so.  That’s the agreement we all made with the site owner. I should also mention, supporter or not, the TOS of the site would prohibit me from selling this thing here. Only personal items can be sold.

 Also, thank you very much for the definition of Karen.  I had no idea. 

Edited March 23 by ragedracer1977

[EricJ]

11 minutes ago, ragedracer1977 said:

This is true, but only if you installed something new. A box that plugs into the cig lighter or runs on a battery would not be installed.  
 

You do have me wondering.  The AD prohibits new installs of bob field door seals, but they’re still for sale.  Did they get a new STC?

You could also apply for an AMOC.   Since the issue addressed by the AD was that the pump was prone to catch fire, an alternative pump shown to have design measures to prevent overheating and fire would be a good candidate for an AMOC.

[N201MKTurbo]

If I was inspecting your plane and it had a manual bulb, there would be no problem. If you replaced it with your box the day after I signed it off, that would not be any of my business.

[ragedracer1977]

3 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

If I was inspecting your plane and it had a manual bulb, there would be no problem. If you replaced it with your box the day after I signed it off, that would not be any of my business.

Interestingly enough, I just discovered that AD 98-21-21 no longer exists.  It was superseded by 98-21-21 R1.  And that AD does not apply to my airplane. It was installed under STC SA4213WE which is not on the AD 

https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/D140D1B5B0D327DC86256A0A006E2297.0001

Edited March 23 by ragedracer1977

[N201MKTurbo]

OK, what does the STC say about inflators?

 

[LANCECASPER]

On 3/23/2025 at 9:16 AM, ragedracer1977 said:

Actually I was just laughing at your contradictory language.  Clearly you see there is value in an electric inflator or you wouldn’t recommend a different one.

i am certainly open to contrary ideas.  See the posts right after yours that were constructive.

Also, I am a supporter of the site. I read and provide content in exchange for advertising revenue paid to the site. When I do wish to sell things here, I pay the fee to do so.  That’s the agreement we all made with the site owner. I should also mention, supporter or not, the TOS of the site would prohibit me from selling this thing here. Only personal items can be sold.

 Also, thank you very much for the definition of Karen.  I had no idea. 

That's one of the many problems with assuming something. You assume since I mentioned the legal motor for the Bob Fields Inflatable Door Seal, that I see value in it for a Mooney.  I don't.  You must have missed the rest of my post:

"The manual bulb works great and is simple and weighs virtually nothing and has universal parts that are easily replaceable.

This looks like a solution in search of a problem."

Clearly I see absolutely NO value in an electric inflator for a Mooney, although others may. I think if you own a Mooney, just reach over, the length of your arm and squeeze the bulb a few times. If you don't want to reach buy the Deluxe Manual version and mount the bulb closer to the pilot. (https://aerocessories.aero/collections/mooney-collection/products/mooney-all-variants?variant=31403794071618).

But if you really want an electric motor for the Mooney there's a legal option  - just go with that one. That's the only reason I mentioned it. In other airframes there very well might be some value if you can't reach the door from the cockpit, but still just go with the one that's in the STC rather than coming up with an unproven, unapproved solution. That's what I meant about looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

 

On the subject of your claim to be a Supporter, you're not one.

Beneath your name it says Basic Member - that's what you are. Spreading your opinions on here, whether you're seeing ads or not, doesn't make you a Supporter anymore than wearing spandex would make you a ballet dancer. If you ask the administrator which they'd rather have: your opinions or your donation, they'll be happy to have your donation every time.

Here's the only way you become a Supporter on Mooneyspace:

 

[LANCECASPER]

22 hours ago, ragedracer1977 said:

This is true, but only if you installed something new. A box that plugs into the cig lighter or runs on a battery would not be installed.  
 

You do have me wondering.  The AD prohibits new installs of bob field door seals, but they’re still for sale.  Did they get a new STC?

One of our forum Supporters, @tomgo2 now owns the STC.

[tomgo2]

Hello all, the latest electric compressor is approved by an AMOC (Alternate Method Of Compliance) in the late 1990s to address the AD. These pumps were tested in a lab using many different failure modes and various environments to FAA standards and FAA witnessing.

Hundreds, if not thousands have been sold over the past 30+ years. Very, very few failures have occurred which have required replacement.

I'm an airplane owner as well and I get it. Cheap alternatives are enticing.

However, we have costs of doing business as it relates to FAA PMA, inspections, paperwork, liabilities, safety, insurance and etc. Any business owner understands that there is a cheap way and a right way especially when working in a  highly regulated industry like aviation.

Many times, I see Bob Fields Inflatable Door Seal listed as an upgraded STC when selling an airplane. An unapproved modified door seal is not.

To each their own.

Wishing everyone blue skies and safe flying!

Tom

 

[Schllc]

@tomgo2

I am a HUGE fan of the bob fields door seal and anyone who doesn’t consider it an upgrade; has not flown with one. 
I elected for the manual just for simplicity. 
like @LANCECASPER said, it is very easy to reach by the pilot, even with a passenger, and it’s 4-5 pumps at the most. 
I will never own a Mooney without this upgrade. 
it is also available for install without the STC, at least the manual model.