Power Kite Forum

Infinity bar and FDS questions

macboy - 30-12-2009 at 01:34 AM

So, no wind today, maybe tomorrow. In anticipation I unrolled the SA to put the Infinity bar on and got perplexed by the aluminum block thing on the front line leader. Anyone have any info on how to properly hook up the Infinity bar on a FS with the 5th line FDS? I gave it my best guess but would rather know it's spot on before I try to fly it lest the FDS snag up through the bar or the front lines gimp up 'cuz they are not on the block right.

Didn't get any instructions so forgive me if I should know these answers (bar came off a stock kite to get it to me quick instead of waiting for the Euro order to come in).

Bladerunner - 30-12-2009 at 09:58 AM

If that block is on the 5th line it is probably the stopper for your bar ?

The bar only has to travel until the kite is fully taco.

macboy - 30-12-2009 at 10:57 AM

No, it's weird. The front line leader is a loop with the block riding along it. There are three holes in the block that look to me like the FDS goes through the middle and the front lines go through each side but there is no clear way that I can see to "tie" the front lines. There's some donger little ball not that slides along the front line loop along with the block but it's not really clear what it's for.

(I should snapped some pics while I had it all unrolled.....)

ragden - 30-12-2009 at 11:06 AM

I know what you are talking about, but as I have never actually taken it apart, I dont know how to answer your question. I am pretty sure, though, that the fifth line goes through that stopper. I think the other lines attach there. When popped, I think the bar, and everything above it, travels up the line a bit. I'm sure there is a manual somewhere to confirm...

DenisLaMenace - 30-12-2009 at 12:11 PM

This is the way the Infinity bar is delivered with a Psycho4

The metal block above the trimmer is connected to the front line strap.

It has a little hole which let the 5th line slide into it.

I find the little hole edge is very sharp and may prematurely use the the 5th line.

When the safety is engaged, the 5th line will slide through the tittle hole until it reaches a small knot on the 5th line. It then blocks.

I prefer the way the 5th line worked on the Psycho3.

I replaced the block by a little ring. The hole is larger and will not put friction on the 5th line.

Because the ring hole is larger, you need some way to stop the 5th little from going up to the bridles.

Where is the little knot, I just put an ELC (Easy Line Connector) in place. The ELC are the little metal ball like where front and rear lines join the bridles.

Adding an ELC will also allow to have a detachment point for the 5th line. Currently there is none so if you need to untwist the 5th lines, you need to disconnect the front ones. With an ELC you can easily just detach the 5th line for untwisting.

More convenient. Right now, if you want to detach the 5th line it has to be done all the way to the CL.

Another consideration: the fuse at the CL.

The little yellow rope between the leash ring and the 5th line is too weak. It has broken for me the first time I released the safety with an infinity bar.

I lost my kite but fortunately I catched it before it was gone too far.

IMO I should decide when I want to completely disconnect from the kite and not let a little fuse to decide for me.

DenisLaMenace - 30-12-2009 at 12:12 PM

an image

post-28-1216411287.jpg - 60kB

indigo_wolf - 30-12-2009 at 12:16 PM

These are the only FDS manuals that Flysurfer currently has posted:

FDS install Manual for SPEED 2
http://www.flysurfer.com/gallery2_code/d/87087-3/fds_speed_2...


pulse2_fds_kit.pdf
http://www.flysurfer.com/gallery2_code/d/122869-2/pulse2_fds...

ATB,
Sam

ragden - 30-12-2009 at 01:55 PM

Denis, those are excellent points that I had never really given condiseration to. I wonder how many other people have had issues at those points, and/or made those same modifications. I know there are times when my fitfh line gets so tangled around the other lines (on my 12m outlaw), that I have to disconnect all the other lines to untangle the mess. It would, sometimes, be nice to just disconnect the fifth line and untangle that line individually. Not something that is easily doable with the way its configured currently.

macboy - 30-12-2009 at 04:57 PM

I think I'd be most comfortable switching too actually - especially if there's little discernable benefit. I worry the FDS line won't run as smoothly through the block (nevermind not being able to figure out how to connect the flying lines to it).

Here's the setup on my Psycho. Should I just do the same for the SA you think?

Psycho-01.jpg - 167kB

DenisLaMenace - 30-12-2009 at 06:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by macboy
I think I'd be most comfortable switching too actually - especially if there's little discernable benefit. I worry the FDS line won't run as smoothly through the block (nevermind not being able to figure out how to connect the flying lines to it).

Here's the setup on my Psycho. Should I just do the same for the SA you think?


I would suggest to do the mod. Just need an extra ELC so the 5th line block somewhere within this 1/4'' inch ring and you're in business

macboy - 30-12-2009 at 08:55 PM

Thanks. As luck would have it the FDS that Powerzone sent me already had that so I'm set. Just gotta ring the buddy again and see if I can get into his parkade to lay it all out again.

Why the metal block anyway I wonder? Seems like overengineering? One grit of sand and you're frying lines in that thing, no?

powerzone - 30-12-2009 at 09:27 PM

I prefer the Simplicity of the RING at the top of the trimmer rather than the Aluminum block.... the block is Very hard to re-thread the line thru and it is known to damage the FDS line when the safety is deployed. it has some sharp edges on the block that cut the 5th line. several instances reported of that Block severing the 5th line. one happened locally and we had to recover the kite.

the oldschool system with the ELC metal connector is the most reliable system. just untie the Black rope that the infinity bar has on the trimmer and swap it with the black cord and the ring like you drew in the diagram.

let me know if you have any questions