deezPANSHES - 19-1-2009 at 05:50 PM
bought a used 05 slingshot fuel. Whats the trick to keeping the air in the down tubes off the leading edge. Each down tube has a seperate valve. just
curious what people do to keep the air from coming out. I blow it up and if you dont get the valve shut in a split second you lose half the air back
out.:puzzled:
any ideas?
flexiblade - 19-1-2009 at 06:04 PM
What are you blowing it up with? Don't use just your lungs - has to be a pump - the bladders have to be stiff - able to hear a tone when you thump
them with your finger. Same thing for the Leading edge bladder - most important bladder - if it's not adequately filled the kite will lose shape
under pressure of the wind.
awindofchange - 19-1-2009 at 07:09 PM
Once you get it pumped up hard, you have to pinch the valve tightly with your fingers and then cap it off. Bit of a trick and a pain in the ...... in
the winter with cold fingers. Its not nearly as hard to keep the air in with the one pump systems.
nwsurfwakeskate - 19-1-2009 at 11:31 PM
some kites have a little stopper ball built into the valve. if your kite is equipped with them then all you have to do is push in on the valve until
the stopper ball gets stuck in the opening. then you can take the pump off and cap it off.
my 2004 cabrinah access had the stopper balls but my 2003 fuel didn't. if it doesn't have the balls then you really do just have to pinch the valve
with your fingers and try and cap it off quickly.
practice makes perfect!
burritobandit - 20-1-2009 at 08:35 AM
If you have stopper balls, it might help if you turn the strut over so that the ball rolls to the center and blocks the airway in the valve, then pull
the pump nozzle out, then put the cap in.
If you don't have stopper balls, you'll have to pinch *hard* at the base of the valve, pull the pump nozzle out, and put the cap in.
macboy - 20-1-2009 at 11:25 AM
I picked up a double action pump from cdn tire for about ten bucks. That'll get 'em pumped up quick and hard, then yes, it's some quick fingers to cap
it off.
Bladerunner - 20-1-2009 at 06:00 PM
Did you remember to do the zipper up ? ;-)
IF it has stoppers and IF they work when the stopper doesn't push up it's and indication you don't have enough pressure in the bladder.
nwsurfwakeskate - 20-1-2009 at 06:02 PM
walmart sells the exact same pump used for kites as a raft and air mattress pump.
I think they cost about $10 bucks and they are bright yellow or black if its the coleman branded one
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8223667
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3561426
it makes me mad when I see pumps in surf shops for $30 bucks when they are the exact same thing as these
speleopower - 20-1-2009 at 06:27 PM
Get a good open cell foil then you won't have bladder issues.
Or you could upgrade your bladders to ones with stopper balls in them. http://www.bladderman.com/
Scott