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My pump inflates slow

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:10 pm
by kinchencool
Hi, when i normally pump my 17m kite it takes me a while with the slingshot pump, but with the ozone pump way quicker, is there anything i can do to make the slingshot pump inflate faster? maybe oil?

Re: My pum inflates slow

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:20 pm
by Hawaiis
you may try silicone lubricant, but it may be too late.

Re: My pum inflates slow

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:22 pm
by william_rx7
Maybe you have too many struts...

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Re: My pump inflates slow

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:43 am
by NYKiter
I find the petroleum products interact with the gaskets...you might try graphite...just dont inhale when you dump it in...

Re: My pump inflates slow

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 3:03 am
by GregK
NYKiter wrote: ...you might try graphite...
Molybdenum disulfide beats graphite - no, best lubricant for the plastic pump parts and the synthetic rubber gaskets is silicone oil, the same stuff that's recommended for keeping drysuit wrist, ankle and neck seals in good shape - http://www.mcnett.com/m-essentials/seal-saver#24116.

If your poor performing pump is one of the tall ones and you store it with the handle all the way down, then the seals on the piston are at their maximum compression from the pump cylinder. To injection mold the pump cyclinder there is about a 1-degree draft angle on the bore, making the diameter at the top bigger than at the bottom. Storing your pump with the handle all the way down compresses the seals on the pistons, so they barely seal at the top of the cylinder.

Store your pump with the handle fully out and the seals will come back, you'll get more air flow when the psiton is at the top of the cylinder.

Re: My pump inflates slow

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 3:50 am
by kinchencool
GregK wrote:
NYKiter wrote: ...you might try graphite...
Molybdenum disulfide beats graphite - no, best lubricant for the plastic pump parts and the synthetic rubber gaskets is silicone oil, the same stuff that's recommended for keeping drysuit wrist, ankle and neck seals in good shape - http://www.mcnett.com/m-essentials/seal-saver#24116.

If your poor performing pump is one of the tall ones and you store it with the handle all the way down, then the seals on the piston are at their maximum compression from the pump cylinder. To injection mold the pump cyclinder there is about a 1-degree draft angle on the bore, making the diameter at the top bigger than at the bottom. Storing your pump with the handle all the way down compresses the seals on the pistons, so they barely seal at the top of the cylinder.

Store your pump with the handle fully out and the seals will come back, you'll get more air flow when the psiton is at the top of the cylinder.
Thanks, alot. I got it, so storing with the handle all the way up.
Pump is exact like this one
Cheers

Re: My pump inflates slow

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 3:57 am
by GregK
They ( Slingshot, Naish, North, Ozone ) are all the same pump, just molded with different colour plastic with a different label printed on ...

Re: My pump inflates slow

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 6:56 am
by Lanc
I use my SolRx sunscreen every few months to keep my pump going. Its worked for me so far as I've been using the same old pump (yellow cab one) for the past 5 years (100+ sessions per year). I have about 5 unused pumps I got with new kites each year just waiting to until something finally gives on my current pump or it gets stolen off the beach.

Re: My pump inflates slow

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:43 am
by William Munney
If you decide to replace it you can get good pumps on Amazon for approximately $15. Just bought an Air Head pump, works well but you'll have to drill the base for a leash.

Re: My pump inflates slow

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:16 pm
by alexeyga
It might be too late for your SS pump, but as far as general maintenance and lubrication go - cleaning the gunk/sand out and an occasional splash of air-tools oil (under the piston and on the shaft) do help to elongate pump's lifetime.