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So I bought a cheapo air bed off eBay for bikepacking duties. The self inflating one I got from PX is ok but I wanted something a bit more substantial so I got one quite like this: https://ebay.us/m/X7GGAA
Used it a couple of times and it was pretty good really. Then it started deflating half way through the night. Which wasn't pretty good really. There's obviously a *really* small hole in it somewhere causing a very slow puncture. Can I find the bloody hole? No. No, I can't. I've tried inflating it and slowly moving it past my eye. Felt nothing. I tried it in a part filled bath to see if there were any bubbles. Nowt. Although it was difficult doing this as it's quite a floaty thing. Anyone got any bright ideas how I can find the tiny hole so I can patch it (hopefully)?
Also I'd really like to be able to blow it up at the valve without it sounding like one of those squeaker things you used to get at Christmas that that unfurled and had a feather on the end. It's just not the best for stealth camping when it sound like a kids party from 1970...
whats that thing? airbeds, for when you want to sleep on the floor, but not yet.
if it helps, I've got a really expensive thermarest neoair that does the same thing. can't find the leak.
the £5 one from lidl is bomber.
Instead of trying to put it under water, blow it up and then mix up a very soapy bucket of water. Liberally sponge it all over the mat, top and bottom and around the edges and hopefully the leak will show up. In theory it's more likely to be on the base as that's where the sharp things will be. If it's a faulty valve then you might be out of luck, but it can be worth giving it a clean in case there's some grit or dirt in there.
Fwiw, all mats, especially thicker ones, will soften after you blow them up as the air inside cools and more so if the ground/ambient air is cold. Maybe it's this, or is it going properly flat?
It's often the seams letting go on cheap (or even more pricey) airbeds. It's why I've given up on them and gone back to an ultra-bomber 90s Thermarest: too many of these going to landfill, irrespective of whether the manufacturer honours the warranty or not.
Spray bottle with soapy water can help find the leak. You basically cover the surface in little bubbles. As mentioned, it's often not a patchable hole, but the whole seam going.