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Does being underpowered put more stress on lines?

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Created by MDSXR6T > 9 months ago, 12 Feb 2015
MDSXR6T
WA, 1019 posts
12 Feb 2015 9:30PM
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In December last year i replaced all the lines on my core sensor bar and about 3 or 4 weeks later i snapped the safety line (500kg breaking strain). On the cores this means the centre lines are now disconnected and the safety / QR isnt much help unless you want to let the kite go!

I put it down to bad luck and it was sorted out by the lads at Action Sports. Fast forward a few weeks and exactly the same thing happened in exactly the same way and conditions . Both times were fairly light (14/16 maybe) and i was probably quiet aggressive with the kite (12m) and it didn't have the power to get me (130kgs wet) up and going.

There's nothing fraying the lines and i doubt very much there is a problem with the core lines so the only thing i can put it down to is the centre lines being the weakest link?

Puetz
NT, 2185 posts
13 Feb 2015 9:02AM
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... hello fellow clysdale class,

Logically thinking, I reckon yes. Snapping lines usually occur due to shock loads rather than a constant load,,,, unless of course your kiting in massive winds.

As your sining the kite more aggressively in light winds you tend to encourage power spikes which are these high load situations especially when you bog the board down. I reckon depending upon the kite, you can get kites that bend or fold and when it takes shape again, a huge power spike occures. If you were on a different kite, it might not happen.

Does the Core do this, fold or bend when sining? If the Core doesn't, then its one mf strong kite. But then again,,,,, is that the cause???

On certain kites I've used, they fold reasonably easy when not so high pressure situations but when they pop back out,,,, the loads on the lines can be very high for that split second and maybe this is whats happening to you??

Maybe pump the kite up a tad higher, see if that helps.

I've noticed that I need to check my lines more regularlly for stretch or shrinking when I've done a lot of light wind underpowered riding.

cheers,

Robbie

MDSXR6T
WA, 1019 posts
13 Feb 2015 8:50AM
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Cheers Robbie!

The kite (XR3) has yet to fold and it always gets pumped up harder than what's recommended.

Maybe it's worth sineing the kite gently to load up some tension



pedleym
WA, 168 posts
13 Feb 2015 9:28AM
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sound like that when the kite trimmed full power the depower line is longer than the safety line
there should never be any load on the safety line
set you lines up attached to a tree line your checking line length pull tension on the chicken look and you will probably find the the tension is taken by the safety line

MDSXR6T
WA, 1019 posts
13 Feb 2015 10:58AM
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That's the bar and when you pull the bar in, it'll untwist the lines if relatively powered. No backrolls or anything to cause twists!

Pedlley, the centre lines run off the safety line (#6), wouldn't there be equal amounts of pressure on both the safety and power line (#5) as they are joined? The safety is thicker and higher breaking strain than the power line.





Edit: Darren at ASWA thinks it was the stopper knot which came undone this time round. All sorted so hopefully no more breakages

pedleym
WA, 168 posts
13 Feb 2015 12:17PM
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Ok haven't had a lot to do with core but by looking at the diagram #6 has a stopper ball yes?
If that is the case so if #5 is stretched or the #8 is letting out too long then all the load load will be taken on the stopper ball through the safety line down to the safety ring in the chicken loop.
It look to be setup like that so you never get dangling safety line as the depower is pulled in.

I have never heard of lines breaking underpowered unless they are stuffed anyway

Brohan
VIC, 528 posts
13 Feb 2015 4:36PM
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I've got a Core bar also and the lines (number 6 and 5 in the picture above) do fray quite easily had to replace them last year and now they almost need replacing again, just keep an eye on the two middle lines. I think its just the rubbing eventually weakens the lines.



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"Does being underpowered put more stress on lines?" started by MDSXR6T