Have i got this right?

> 10 years ago
Reply
Register to post, see what you've read, and subscribe to topics.
Peterdj
Peterdj
VIC
139 posts
VIC, 139 posts
16 Jan 2012 1:10pm
Ok so my trainer is on the way.
I have been soaking up as much info as possible about how the bigger kites work.
I have a question on the depower tabs above a bar, just trying to get the terminology right and understood in this brain of mine.

When you pull down on the depower tab or however it's configured does this mean it is pulling down the leading edge to flatten out the aspect of the kite and in turn taking power away from it.

When you pull on the power tab or let the depower back out it allows the leading edge back up and increases the aspect of the kite to the wind , creating more power?

Plus all the small adjustments on the pigtails etc and pushing and pulling on the bar does the same thing but in a different way.

Ie , if you pull on the bar it pulls the rear of the kite down and increases the aspect ratio increasing power?, let it back up and it allows the back to raise in relation to the leading edge again.

phew

koma
koma
VIC
760 posts
VIC, 760 posts
16 Jan 2012 1:49pm
Almost all depower and trim systems (pigtails included) will just simply make the power lines (the front lines) shorter. This means that the kite is sheeted out, presents less surface area to the wind and therefore makes less power.
Keep in mind that sheeting the kite out does not make it more stable as if a gust hits the kite it will often cause it to shoot forward over the top of the wind window and then fall leading edge down.
NickT
NickT
WA
1094 posts
WA, 1094 posts
16 Jan 2012 11:50am
YES
Peterdj
Peterdj
VIC
139 posts
VIC, 139 posts
16 Jan 2012 4:31pm
Thanks for that.
It's a thing that ive been trying to get clear in my head for a while.

There seem alot of fancy doo hickie ideas that the kite companies come up with to achieve this, i think thats what makes it a bit confusing, or did anyway.
Peterc150
Peterc150
VIC
710 posts
terminal
terminal
1421 posts
1421 posts
16 Jan 2012 6:52pm
You've got it right.

Another way to think of it is that the 'depower' strap is a 'trim' strap and by adjusting the trim strap, you move the ideal range of bar movement closer to or further away from your body.

None of these adjustments change the total power range of the kite itself - that always stays the same. The bar movement often only covers part of the sheeting angles of the kite, so you are moving the bar range within the sheeting range of the kite..
Tray
Tray
QLD
10 posts
QLD, 10 posts
16 Jan 2012 11:23pm
koma said...

Almost all depower and trim systems (pigtails included) will just simply make the power lines (the front lines) shorter. This means that the kite is sheeted out, presents less surface area to the wind and therefore makes less power.


Translation: yes

Subculture
Subculture
443 posts
443 posts
16 Jan 2012 10:19pm
terminal said...

You've got it right.

Another way to think of it is that the 'depower' strap is a 'trim' strap and by adjusting the trim strap, you move the ideal range of bar movement closer to or further away from your body.

None of these adjustments change the total power range of the kite itself - that always stays the same. The bar movement often only covers part of the sheeting angles of the kite, so you are moving the bar range within the sheeting range of the kite..


+1
It is very important that beginners understand that this is actually what is happening. Trim, trim, trim. Your stance will improve, and as a consequence, your riding.
Please Register, or first...
Topics Subscribe Reply