G'day
Got to the beach pumped up my blade trigger kite, run out my lines and then realised my kite had deflated. Eventually relised the non return valve in which I pump my kit up was missing the little plastic ball wich prevents the air from coming back out off the bladder. Can anyone tell me where I can order another little plastic ball for this valve? Attached is a pic of the valve I pump my kite up from. Cheers.
Yep, the valve has delaminated, this model and brand have valve issues, not a bash just a fact. Replacement KiteFix valve or Airtime Valve trap will fix it.
Valve trap, uses your original valve www.kitepower.com.au/collections/kitesurfing
KiteFix one way inflate valve
www.kitepower.com.au/kitefix-9mm-replacement-valve.html
Sometimes the ball falls into bladder or blows out and gets lost. Jason at westoz boardsports safety bay should be able to help, he has blade kites.
The ball will be inside the LE more than likely, should be able to find it when you take the bladder out to fix the valve. Then you can put it back if you decide to reglue the same valve back on. ![]()
Heads up to anyone who has this style of valve on their kite, dont just release the dump valve and forget about the inflate valve. Un plug the inflate valve to stop any premature stretching which could create leaks further on in the kites life.
Also when you unplug the inflate valve pinch the nipple (waiting for the quotes and jokes!) to unjam the ball. Everytime you crash your kite the ball gets jammed into the nipple harder, if you dont pinch it before you pump up you can slingshot the ball into the bladder when you start pumping up the kite. This can result in the ball going through the bladder vents and rolling around inside your LE. This does not cause any issue except you will loose the one way valve so when you remove your pump nozzle the plug will need to be put in quickly to stop the air escaping.
To check if your valve has delamed;
pull the white plastic tab out of the velcro tab
un zip the inspection port near the centre strut
pull the valve out and look for a opening behind the valve patch that looks like line.
West Oz kite boarding should be able to help you out with a spare part and do the fix for you, contact Jason.
The only valve issue's we have seen are on kites that are left in cars during summer in extreme heat, we have seen delams on every brand of kite that has been treated in the same way. This type of valve is my only dislike on this kite due to it being small and its harder to pump and deflate after using the Liquid Force Max-flo system, but it is the most reliable if you take these handy little hints!
Thanks for the info. I bought my kite from west oz but I live in the north west so will have to give the repair a go myself once parts get delivered.
What year and what size is your kite? I have a few Blade Bladders left over from when I was the importer.
PM For details.
Danny