The one pump system has slow leaks on most of the cable tie connections to valve stems. I am thinking of using tighter cable ties or even sikaflex to stop this..
This would occur without most people noticing....
Any one got advice?????
May I suggest that perhaps your problem with "slow leaks" isn't the hose, connectors or cable tie tightness, but in-fact may be a problem of the valve slowly lifting from the bladder underneath. This is a very common problem and will happen to 99% of all kite bladders after a period of time (usually a few years). Especially so when left in hot places such as a car or under the Australian sun.
Sometimes it might be hard to see, but it can be only the tinniest bit lifted from the bladder. Try testing the bladder in water first before replacing all that other stuff.
If this is the problem you can fix it by removing the valve in hot water, cleaning both surfaces and re-sticking them together with a good vinyl adhesive.
Sorry if this isn't the case!
the tubing perishes in the sun/salt and will start to leak. tighter ties will only make things worse.
replacing the tube is easy and cheap. just make sure you use uv resistant cable ties otherwise they will perish pretty quickly too.
Cheers for the help..
the kite is a eclipse 09. All external plumbing.
I held the kite in the pool so it accurately identified the leak. The leaks have gradually worsened over the past year!
The leaks are from beneath cable ties that clamp the one pump hoses connecting plastic right angle double males.
The other leaks are from where the female valve stem connects to the plastic right angle double males.
If this is unclear I could take a pic for you!!
I reckon the cable ties were loose from factory. I am aware though overtightening new ones could create more problems.
Its been a good kite so far. I have dropped it under overhead waves often and its still got its original shape!
Whats best practice here??
why does tight new ones cause probs? about.to put new ones on my Havoc... supertight is where i was headed...
Many new kites - 2011 & 2012 now come with bladder valves welded instead glued.
These cannot be removed by the hot water treatment suggested.
Only way to replace faulty valves in the newer kites is to cut out the whole of the raised centre section - very carefully - I use a scalpel - then fit the replacement stick-on over the hole & the old flange which stays put.
Important to put a piece of tissue paper under the cut out hole so the inner sticky section of the replacement doesnt stick to the other side of the bladder!
As for the problem in question. Definitely looks like the transfer tubes. On most kites they are long enough to trim the offending end off then refit & replace a cable tie.
And yes tightening a small thin hard plastic tie too tight on the softer tube often causes them to cut into, and eventually through, the tube. Gently tight is better than pulling a Tarzan act.
Just replace the ties, make sure you use fairly small ones (even use two on each connection) because some of the bigger, stiffer ones don't form a very good circle when pulled down tight on a small circumfrence.
I used to fly Eclipse kites, the main kite I used was the 6 Kima and I had no problems with it for the first year or so.
The first time it deflated on me was in the heats of the Wedge wave comp, the very first turn on my first wave it folded, helicoptered and crashed (Murphy's Law) 
.
I discovered that air was leaking from a hose on the one pump system due to a loose cable tie so I replaced all the cable ties on it (kept the same tubing) and never had a problem again.
I think Knickers still has that kite and it's still going strong?
I will have to ask her nicely if I can have a go on it this summer, I loved that kite.
