hi guys,
i have a north rebel 2013 with pain in the ass small value that do my back pumping (bit exaggeration! )
Can I change it to new Airport value? Has anyone done it?

Hi sonny2727,

it would be possible but you'd have to cut a new wider hole in your LE material to fit the larger valve. Cutting out the old valve from the bladder carefully and putting a new stick-on one is the easy part if done right. Those valves cost almost $50 btw. I'd be more worried about cutting the LE without it being reinforced around the cut. In other words I wouldn't do it unless the new cut could be made professionally and reinforced.

Here's a better solution IMO:

- Unless you already have one, buy a new generation pump, they are twice as fast and half the effort compared to the old generation pumps. You can find them for as cheap as $50 in kite shops.

- Start inflating your kite through the DEFLATE valve up until you get to about 3-4 PSI max, then close the valve quickly and finish pumping through the main inflation valve.

These 2 tips will save you time and effort and possibly make your forget about needing a larger valve.

Christian

Deeg said..

Christian, I have the new north pump and always find that once you start getting up to 4-5psi with the small inflation valve on pre-2015 north kites that it keeps popping off every couple of times you pump no matter how hard you jammed it in and to get any decent pressure in the kite you need a second person to hold the nozzle in the valve. Was a PITA last time i tried to pump up my 12m vegas before i got the new kites!

Change the nozzle, pretty simple! If you haven't noticed already not all the nozzles (of the same type) are the exact same size/shape, grab one from a friend's pump that has a different shape / wider mouth and it shouldn't come out

Christian

Hi sonny2727,had new type inflation valve fitted to my 2012 rebel 13 at Briskites a few years ago $90.

I used to have a 14m 2013 Fuse with the small valve which was a prick to pump. I ended up filling it through the dump valve with a camping mattress inflator and final pressure with the kite pump. It worked well but all things considered ( extra gear to carry and maintain) not as good as having a kite with a big inflate hole.

You know NorthernKitesAUS,

My folks always said to me that If you have nothing constructive to say, keep your mouth shut.

Hi Sonny,

If you take your kite in to your local repairer, they should be able to cut out a larger hole and re-inforce it with some heavy dacron or similar. It's not a massive job but is best done by trained hands as the leading edge should be opened up and the re-inforcing applied with stitching to the inside of the casing. The new Airport II valve is $64.95 and is a stick on job, also best applied by seasoned hands unless you are very confident in your own abilities to do a flawless job. One wrinkle, and it will leak and it is a tricky application.

Another option would be to look around for a good condition, second hand North kite to replace it. Now is the time to buy such a kite.

DM