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North Kites: Deflation valve issues!!!

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Created by QinClay > 9 months ago, 29 Jan 2013
QinClay
WA, 17 posts
29 Jan 2013 9:33PM
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Hey guys,

this goes out to all north kite riders out there!!!

Well, i just switched from Ozone to North and i´m really happy with my decision!!!
Great Kites, great build, all good!!!
But every time when it comes to packing up that thing i´m almost losing it!!!
Why the heck is the deflation valve so far towards the wingtip???
I find it really hard to roll up the kite from one side to the other to get a nice package done.
Ozone has the deflation valve next to the middle-strut.
You roll up the kite from both sides to the middle, fold it two times, done...

Am I the only one who has trouble with that?!?!

I already thought about getting someone to move the valve to the middle, is that possible?!

Would be good to get some feedback!

Cheers,
Qin

ps: if you find any orthographic mistakes, you can keep them!

LostDog
WA, 445 posts
29 Jan 2013 9:42PM
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Mate, you should use both valves. I've never had an issue packing up.. Quick as it gets.

They're great kites.

QinClay
WA, 17 posts
29 Jan 2013 9:56PM
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LostDog said...
Mate, you should use both valves. I've never had an issue packing up.. Quick as it gets.

They're great kites.

How do you pack it up then?
Still one side to the other?

DutchRooster
NSW, 325 posts
30 Jan 2013 2:21AM
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With the North kites, roll it up along the trailing edge not the leading edge, folds better that way.

I don't leave any valves open (avoid getting any sand or water in the bladders) so only use the dump valve.

Not the easiest kites to roll up, admittedly.

Beanz
WA, 75 posts
29 Jan 2013 11:38PM
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It's not that hard mate. Roll from one side keeping the trailing edge straight. When fully rolled, fold one third fom the leading edge towards the middle, this will provide a little pocket for you to tuck the bottom third of the kite from the trailing edge into thus locking it into nice a little parcel for you to easily place in ur bag.

It is actually pretty straight forward but since realized hard to explain - good luck

Beanz
WA, 75 posts
29 Jan 2013 11:40PM
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...and start rolling from the non deflate valve side. That way u r pushing the air towards the deflate valve.

terryzarmzof
QLD, 336 posts
30 Jan 2013 7:11AM
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What? Switched from ozone? According to the review section they are the worlds best kites. You idiot!

INTHELOOP
QLD, 1855 posts
30 Jan 2013 8:32AM
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hi mate,
you can roll the norths up towards the middle like all other brands too with the bonus of air getting out quicker through dump valve in wingtip.

Put the pin in your inflation valve so air comes out of that too, then fold (better than roll) the kite from opposite wingtip towards the middle. The do the same from the side wingtip where dump valve is.

happy packing :)

eppo
WA, 9793 posts
30 Jan 2013 6:40AM
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I used to roll it as said from the opposite side to the deflate valve, but stop at the last strut, then roll it from the other side (I suppose like the third of the way left mentioned), then tuck this under the main roll then fold in two only. This I found put the battens in a position where they didn't stick out and have potential for damage. But you get used to it after a while no big deal. Maybe try marvins idea as well, never tHought of that.

LostDog
WA, 445 posts
30 Jan 2013 7:14AM
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QinClay said...
LostDog said...
Mate, you should use both valves. I've never had an issue packing up.. Quick as it gets.

They're great kites.

How do you pack it up then?
Still one side to the other?



Yip, what others have said here.. Roll towards dump valve with both valves open. Don't worry about getting all the air out, by the time you put the parcel in its bag the rest will almost all be gone. I find the slightly delayed deflation of the struts actually helps with the rolling.

salt
VIC, 617 posts
30 Jan 2013 10:22AM
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DutchRooster said...
With the North kites, roll it up along the trailing edge not the leading edge, folds better that way.

I don't leave any valves open (avoid getting any sand or water in the bladders) so only use the dump valve.




This is the correct way, use trailing edge (so battens line up)

eppo
WA, 9793 posts
30 Jan 2013 9:09AM
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Sh1t really. Wish someone had told me that when I flew north kites. The trailing edge hey. Doesn't your leading edge get all out of skelter in the roll?

AKSonline
WA, 925 posts
Site Sponsor
30 Jan 2013 9:30AM
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Put the deflation pin in the centre inflation valve, Don't store the kite with any valve plugs 'in' as the neck of the valve will form a memory to the plug shape and potentially leak.
Undo the inflate valve, and roll/fold (remember there are no spot prizes for getting the kite rolled as tightly as possible) with trailing edge straight, so the battens line up, from right side of the kite to left where the deflation valve is.
Fold in half, its not origami, thats why the bags are large.
If you fold in 3 you will break the battens.
They are not expensive to replace, but differ from kite to kite and size to size. So dealers may or may not stock the size you need.
If the dealer has to order them they can take as long as 4 weeks to get hold of.
toddy

Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1397 posts
30 Jan 2013 10:38AM
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AKSonline said...
Put the deflation pin in the centre inflation valve,


Wow, learning a lot here! I've always rolled from leading edge, and left inflate valve plugged in.

Where is the deflation pin? Have never noticed that!

Thanks

eppo
WA, 9793 posts
30 Jan 2013 12:31PM
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On the plug mechanism that goes in the valve there is a pointed plastic thingy. Stick that in the valve. Trailing edge hey, well stuff me. There you go folks.



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"North Kites: Deflation valve issues!!!" started by QinClay