Kite explodes while pumping up

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Sandman_510
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Re: Kite explodes while pumping up

Post by Sandman_510 » Tue Jul 01, 2014 11:17 am

I hate it when that happens!

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Re: Kite explodes while pumping up

Post by victor » Sat Jul 05, 2014 7:12 am

"bought it from a well respected kite-school"

any kite someone has learned on, privately owned or from a school, has likely seen some abuse. i know my first couple of kites did.

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Re: Kite explodes while pumping up

Post by le noun » Sat Jul 05, 2014 11:34 am

Tom wrote:The kite was a used kite indeed, but since my friend had just bought it from a well respected kite-school and it was not used once before I am very confident that they will take it back.
If you were selling something used to somebody, and a week later they come to you saying it broke the first time they used it, would you take it back?
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Re: Kite explodes while pumping up

Post by Col.kiteman » Sat Jul 05, 2014 10:51 pm

My pockets are only deep enough to warranty a used kite untill my tail lights disappear. Never the less i'd feel pretty bad, and may kick down some sailtape or tear aid. I guess thats why i am not a dealer, and ill ride my kites until they shred. That is the risk in purchasing a used kite. When im done with mine the guys that make those murses and wallets probably wont even accept them. Anyhow. ......

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Re: Kite explodes while pumping up

Post by keithdkd » Sun Jul 06, 2014 7:04 pm

Funny enough, this literally *just* happened at the third Avenue upper launch. I was reminded of this thread, because I've never seen it before.

The guy had recently crashed his kite on the rocks, and was reinflating it. It exploded with a loud pop, and everybody on the beach looked. The kite was only a few months old. Crashing on the rocks must've weakened the bladder.

Sent him to find Sonny.

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Re: Kite explodes while pumping up

Post by Sonny » Sun Jul 06, 2014 8:24 pm

I just washed the kite, I will take a better look tomorrow. You should never fully inflate the kite after crashng on the rocks. Inflate it partially then look over the leading edge and canopy to find the damage.
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Re: Kite explodes while pumping up

Post by le noun » Mon Jul 07, 2014 2:03 am

Sonny wrote:I just washed the kite, I will take a better look tomorrow. You should never fully inflate the kite after crashng on the rocks. Inflate it partially then look over the leading edge and canopy to find the damage.
That's what I've been thinking, LE is supposedly a little tighter than bladder to prevent this to happen, right?
So if LE is in good shape, you'd think everything is good, right?
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Re: Kite explodes while pumping up

Post by Sandman_510 » Mon Jul 07, 2014 9:36 am

Things that can make your bladder explode:
1. Leaving fully inflated dark colored kite in sun on hot windless day
2. LE with cuts/abrasions/worn stitching
3. improperly seated valves
4. Drinking too much coffee/tea before road trip {}[]

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Re: Kite explodes while pumping up

Post by NCKite_Ryder » Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:18 am

I had my 8M explode when I landed it to someone on the beach after a 2 hour session. It literally blew up in his hand the second he grabbed it. The guy felt really bad but it wasn't his fault at all, I imagine the stitching had a small tear in it and the warm air expanded the kite. Airtime fixed that thing right up for a decent price, better than new imo.
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Re: Kite explodes while pumping up

Post by gatorjos » Sat Jul 12, 2014 8:39 pm

This happened to me too once, after air travel and the kite having been packed for a couple of months. I think the vinyl of the bladder stuck to itself, and was twisted up. Now I never just pump up a rolled up kite and wait for the air pressure to unroll it, but instead shake the kite out when I unroll it, so the bladder can unstick itself if it is a little stuck together. No more explosions since then :)
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