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nothing2seehere
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Postby nothing2seehere » Wed May 09, 2018 12:41 pm
I was taught (and still use) the fold test. Move to near the wing tip and try and bend the LE. It should resist bending but still fold.
Have tried the ping test but it never seems as easy on a windy winter day (wind noise and wearing a neoprene heat which blocks some of the sound). Probably works better for those in warmer climates.
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downunder
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Postby downunder » Wed May 09, 2018 2:43 pm
iriejohn wrote: ↑Wed May 09, 2018 12:12 pm
Bushflyr wrote: ↑Wed May 09, 2018 6:43 am
Trust the ping, it works. If you're completely tone deaf just buy a pump with a better gauge.
Agreed.
Simply use a pump with a pressure gauge and when the gauge indicates the desired pressure do a 'ping' to provide aural confirmation.
If you can't manage that then get rid of your kites because you're too stupid to use them.
Yep, I was stupid:
10 times used max....just after warranty.
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FLandOBX
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Postby FLandOBX » Wed May 09, 2018 4:57 pm
The "fold test" is intriguing to me. I have never used it, never known an instructor to teach it, and can't imagine that it's good for your kite or LE bladder. Am I the only one who thinks that the "fold test" forces the kite and LE bladder to do what they are not designed to do?
I've always found that gauges are reliable and easy to use (except on kites that have a one-directional inflate valve like Cabrinha). Otherwise, the ping test works for me.
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edt
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Postby edt » Wed May 09, 2018 5:00 pm
I think my kite being eaten by waves is a much bigger danger to my kites then a gentle fold test. More seriously I think the fold test is a good way to calibrate your "ping" test and pressure gauge, so you only do it a few times to get a feel for what pressure you need to put into a particular kite. Another thing you can do is count number of pumps, but you want to calibrate this first with the ping, pressure gauge or wing fold test. Each pump action is 2 liters so you can also figure out how big your kite is in terms of air if you like.
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Hugh2
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Postby Hugh2 » Wed May 09, 2018 8:41 pm
I'm lucky to be a feeble 62-year-old, so I pump my kites as hard as I am able! Turns out that is the top of the red region or around 12 PSI ( I think, the pump is in my garage) for 7 and 9m, and top of green range, maybe 9 PSI, for my 12 and 16m, which are also older kites.
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edt
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Postby edt » Wed May 09, 2018 8:56 pm
Hugh2 wrote: ↑Wed May 09, 2018 8:41 pm
I'm lucky to be a feeble 62-year-old, so I pump my kites as hard as I am able! Turns out that is the top of the red region or around 12 PSI ( I think, the pump is in my garage) for 7 and 9m, and top of green range, maybe 9 PSI, for my 12 and 16m, which are also older kites.
I would be afraid of popping a valve a that pressure. But as long as your kites don't explode, why not.
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matth
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Postby matth » Wed May 09, 2018 9:15 pm
Hugh2 wrote: ↑Wed May 09, 2018 8:41 pm
I'm lucky to be a feeble 62-year-old, so I pump my kites as hard as I am able! Turns out that is the top of the red region or around 12 PSI ( I think, the pump is in my garage) for 7 and 9m, and top of green range, maybe 9 PSI, for my 12 and 16m, which are also older kites.
12psi is way too much. 6,7,8 PSI is more than enough
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FLandOBX
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Postby FLandOBX » Wed May 09, 2018 9:40 pm
edt wrote: ↑Wed May 09, 2018 5:00 pm
I think my kite being eaten by waves is a much bigger danger to my kites then a gentle fold test.....
Agreed.
Regarding gauge pressure, most kites (often around the inflate valve) show the recommended pressure. I'd be shocked if any kite recommends 12 psi. Most are in the 7-9 psi range, as Matth suggests. I find that 7 psi is about right for most of my kites. As they age and lose their stiffness in the LE, they may need another 1-2 psi to hold their structure.
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edt
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Postby edt » Wed May 09, 2018 9:50 pm
Only reason not to over pump is so your kite doesn't explode. If your kite doesn't explode then sure go for it. Of course if your kite does explode that means you have to buy a new kite. But is having a reason to buy new kite so bad?
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downunder
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Postby downunder » Thu May 10, 2018 2:32 am
It is bad if is very new
Like this Boost...Hence slowly moving to foils. Suits my air style, slow kite movement, perfect.
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