Tired of pumping up your gear by hand? The Ride Engine Air Box is here to change the game! This compact, shockproof, two-stage rechargeable pump effectively inflates kites, wings, and SUPs, reaching up to 20 PSI for maximum performance. It’s lightweight, airline-friendly, and with 6-12 inflations per charge, you’ll spend less time setting up and more time riding. Once you try it, you’ll never want to go back to manual pumping again. Find out more here!

Hi Gary, it’s great to have you here! Please explain how the Ride Engine Air Box works. Can it be used for kites, wings, and SUPs?

Of course! The Air Box is something that will change your perspective on setting up for the session. I know, some say pumping their kite or wing is how they warm up, or some just can’t see past using a rechargeable pump to inflate as the advantages are unclear to them. But the Air Box, once you start to use it, truly changes one’s attitude. Simply the Air Box is a 2 stage rechargeable pump that inflates wings, kites and SUPs (and many other inflatable items for that matter) These pumps have been around for some time. But what is unique about the Ride Engine Air Box is that we designed a shockproof casing that is better suited to how we, as wind sport enthusiasts, use our gear. In addition, we designed a proprietary nozzle set that covers inflation for every major brand that produces kites and wings.

How compact is it, and how much does it weigh? 

It is small compared to a manual pump, making it much easier to transport to the beach and travel with. Its overall weight is just 1.4kg, making it lighter than some of the largest manual pumps and about the same as a standard manual pump. 

Is the Air Box waterproof? If not, how durable is it when used on the beach when it’s rainy or windy? Can sand or water cause damage? 

It is a rugged unit, for sure. But, as with any electronic device, you must take care of it! We created a shockproof case that provides a bit of protection from elements such as moisture. But, it is NOT waterproof and can’t be submerged or left in the driving rain. Sand intrusion is not a problem but should be avoided. With the general use of inflation, that is enough to avoid having any significant sand entering the unit and impacting the performance. I have one of the first units that we produced for testing over 2 years ago, and it has been with me for 3 seasons in Baja, Mexico, 2 month long trips to Peru, Egypt, Hood River, Oregon, Fiji and many other places and it is still running strong!

What is the two-stage inflation system, and how does it work? 

Two-stage inflation is necessary to increase inflation time and achieve the pressure needed to achieve your equipment’s highest performance. The first stage is a low-pressure high volume that pushes a lot of air. Once it switches to the high-pressure low volume, the pump will achieve the higher pressure and exact pressure recommended by the equipment manufacturer. 

Can you set different PSI levels for various equipment? What is the maximum pressure the Air Box can reach? 

Being able to adjust the PSI / Bar to the recommended pressure of the equipment manufacturer is what is beautiful about the Air Box. The PSI / Bar can be set up to 20PSI / 1.4 bar; this range will inflate any wing, kite, inflatable wing or SUP board on the market. Also, what is great to note is that the calibration is exact, which means you get a perfect inflation to the recommended inflation to achieve the maximum performance out of your gear. I have seen time and time again under-inflated wings as getting to 10PSI for some is hard to achieve with a manual pump.

How long does it take to fully charge the Air Box, and how long does the charge last? How many kites, wings, or SUPs can it inflate on a single charge? 

The Air Box come with a USB-C charging cord that allows anyone globally to plug into a wall adaptor, depending on the plug type. Changing times vary depending on what time the adaptor is used. We recommend 5V 2A or higher, and depending on the power delivery, a full charge from full depletion will take from 2 to 4 hours with the recommended adaptor. You can expect to get anywhere from 6 to 12 full inflations with a full charge.

What type of battery does the Air Box use? Does the Air Box meet airline regulations for lithium-ion batteries? 

The Air Box has a lithium-ion battery bank and fully meets airline regulations It is to be transported in your carry-on, not in checked baggage, as with any lithium-ion battery.

What kind of feedback has Ride Engine received from users? 

The feedback has been amazing! Even the most apprehensive users thought replacing a manual pump was not necessary. I can say that once you use the Air Box, it is very, very hard to go back to a manual pump. You can adjust for the exact pressure for the gear, and you can cut set up time to get on the water by securing the wing to your foil and then get ready as the Air Box inflates your wing!

How long does it take to pump up a 5m wing on average? 

Depending on LE size and the type of valve the wing has, it will take between 2 minutes, 30 seconds and 4 minutes.

Are there any other exciting features you could share with us? 

I think we have covered it all! But I will say, once you use an Air Box, you will never want to use a manual pump again!

Perfect, thanks, Gary!

Thanks, Jen!

 

Videos

Ride Engine Air Box | Tips and Tricks on E-Inflation
Ride Engine Air Box Sensor Reset
Ride Engine | Air Box - 10 FAQS
By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.

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