Help Centre · Charging
How to charge your Inflato Mini.
Five simple steps. A charging icon on the screen tells you when it's full. Below is everything you need to know, plus a quick troubleshooting guide if anything seems off.
1 to 1.5 hrs
Full charge time
USB-C
Cable included
20 to 30 min
Inflation time per charge
1000 mAh
Battery capacity
Important · Read before plugging in
Any standard USB-C cable will charge it. The adapter on the other end is what matters.
The Inflato Mini's charging circuit is built for a standard 5V output up to 15W. Plugging into a high-output USB-C Power Delivery or fast-charging adapter rated above 18W can overload the internal charging board and damage it permanently.
What this looks like in practice: the display shows the battery icon charging normally while plugged in, but afterwards the pump won't turn on. Once the board is fried, no amount of recharging brings it back. This is the single most common cause of returns we see.
✓Safe to use
- Standard phone wall chargers (most are 5V/2A or 5V/3A)
- Any USB-C wall plug rated 18W or below
- Computer USB-A or USB-C ports
- The cable that came in the box
×Do not use
- USB-C laptop chargers (usually 30W, 60W or 100W)
- Fast or PD adapters rated above 18W
- No-name fast chargers without proper PD certification
- Wireless chargers or car charger adapters
Step by step
Five steps to a full charge.
01
Find the USB-C port
The port sits openly on the side of the pump. No flap or cover to lift.
02
Plug in the cable
Use the USB-C cable that came in the box. Insert it firmly into the port until it clicks.
03
Connect to power
Any standard USB power source works. A 10W+ wall adapter charges fastest.
04
Watch the screen
The display flashes a charging icon while it tops up. A solid icon means it's done.
05
Unplug when full
Disconnect once the charging icon stops flashing. Your Inflato is ready to ride.
Display Guide
What the screen looks like at each level.
Tap a battery level to see exactly how the display will show it, both while charging and while in use.
When charging
Plugged in
While plugged in, the screen shows a large battery icon with bars representing the charge level. The bars fill in as the Mini charges. When all three bars are solid and the icon stops flashing, you're fully charged.
When in use
Pumping
During use, the screen shows your target PSI on the left and a small battery indicator in the top-right corner. The indicator bars step down as you use the pump, and turn red when you're nearing empty.
Best practice
Keep your battery healthy.
First charge: full cycle
Give your Inflato Mini a complete first charge (1 to 1.5 hours) before its first use. This conditions the battery for best long-term capacity.
Don't leave plugged in for days
Unplug once the charging icon stops flashing. Constant overcharging shortens battery life over time, even with auto-stop circuitry.
Top up every 3 to 4 uses
A regular partial top up is better than waiting until the battery is flat. Pumps stored full last longer.
Store at 20%+ minimum
If you won't ride for a while, keep at least 20% charge in the Mini when storing it. Storing flat damages the cell.
Use a 10W+ adapter
Phone chargers work but a 10W or higher fast charger gets you the full 1 to 1.5 hour cycle. Avoid no-name USB hubs.
Avoid temperature extremes
Don't charge in direct sun or below 0°C. Extreme heat or cold reduces capacity and slows the charge cycle.
Troubleshooting
If something seems off.
Most charging issues resolve in under a minute. Tap any question to see the fix.
The screen isn't showing anything when I plug in
Try another power adapter or USB port first. Some cables are charge-only, others are damaged, and some USB ports don't deliver enough power. Swap to a 10W+ wall adapter and try again. If the screen still doesn't show anything, hold the power button down for 10 seconds to reset, then plug back in. If it's still unresponsive, email us at support@inflato.com.au.
It takes longer than 1.5 hours to charge
Almost always a low-output adapter. Old phone wall chargers and computer USB ports trickle-charge the pump and double or triple the time. Switch to a 10W+ fast charger or a quality wall adapter. Cold ambient temperatures can also slow charging.
The pump won't turn on after a full charge
Hold the power button for 5 seconds, not just a tap. If still nothing, unplug from charge, hold the power button for 10 seconds to fully reset, then plug back in and run a complete charge cycle from empty. If this happens repeatedly, the unit may have a battery fault. Reach out to support and we'll take a look under your 1-year warranty.
The battery drains much faster than it used to
Two common causes. Cold weather temporarily reduces battery capacity. If you're charging in winter, expect 20-30% fewer inflations per charge until temperatures rise. The other is natural ageing. Lithium batteries gradually lose capacity after 2+ years of regular use. If neither applies and capacity dropped suddenly, contact support.
Can I use a fast charger or PD adapter?
Yes. The Inflato Mini charges fastest from a 10W+ fast charger. Plugging into a higher-wattage PD or QC adapter is safe, the pump simply draws what it needs. You won't get faster than the rated 1 to 1.5 hour cycle, but it won't damage the unit either.
Can I leave it charging overnight?
It's safe. The internal charging circuit stops drawing power once the battery is full. We still recommend unplugging within an hour of the charging icon going solid for longest battery lifespan, but occasional overnight charging won't damage the unit.