keskiviikko 25. tammikuuta 2012

Updating my kite

Hello

2011 Was my first summer to be on water. Before that I had two winters expierence of snowkiting. I bought ozone sport+ 2009 13m2 for the summer. When winter started also problems came. Both valves started to have problems in cold weather. So this is the topic for a blog!



Now a days Ozone uses bigger valves in their kites and i wanted to update my kite to someting similar. Went to web and found this valve. It came from U-Stick and matches the one Caprinha uses
U-Stick screw valve

Old setup had separate in and out valves. I choosed the first one to be replaced by new valve. Becouse new valve is bigger I needed to  make the leeding edge hole bigger. Removed one pump and pushed bladder inside leading edge and used different kind of cutting tools to make the hole bigger.
Starting point
Hole made bigger


After this I took bladder out a little amount. There was no need to remove the whole bladder from leading edge. In first pic you can see broken valve on the left. Right one is one pump that was left to it's place. Removing old valve was really simple. Just tip it to almoust boiling water and gently tear it off.
Valves
Old valve coming off
Cleaning

Next I cleaned the surface and placed something flat under the bladder to easy up clueing new valve. This was also really simple. See more from youtube by searching u-stick.
New valve in place

Now just put everyhing back to place. Valve can be used right away.
In action
Ready
Time to enjoy a beer after succesfull project!

Notes after real use:
Have now tested kite more than 5 times in action and everything works nice. Pumping and espesially deflating the kite is now much easier. Ordered also caprinha adapter that fits to valve.