I have an old North kite with one pump. Several months back I sprayed dishwashing soap on the tubes to check for leaks (fixed them it was not the one pump tubes). I did not rinse the kite after spraying, and the tubes started deteriorating - now one has a big hole on it and the others are flaking and bending out of shape. I rinsed and washed many times after I noticed the problem but it seems to have no impact.
I got some silicon tube from a hospital supply pharmacy near me, but they told me it's unlikey to withstand sun and salt. Any ideas for replacement? What worked for you? Thanks!
My one-pump tubes are melting - any ideas for replacement?
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edt
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Re: My one-pump tubes are melting - any ideas for replacemen
medical tube should be fine if it fits go for it, only 8 psi pressure. I am pretty sure the kite manufacturers are using the same tubing used by the medical suppliers. Dishwashing soap does not harm the tubes, what you are seeing is age and degradation due to the sun's UV, I think it's coincidence that you noticed it right after you put the soap on the tube, it was going to crack open anyway.
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sarc
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Re: My one-pump tubes are melting - any ideas for replacemen
Thanks for ideas! It's not aging - the tubes are gooey and sticky only where the soap was applied. It really looks like it's melting. Anyway I'll go with the medical tubing thanks.
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letsgoflyakite
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Re: My one-pump tubes are melting - any ideas for replacemen
Slingshot do a pack of tubes, as replacements, (one pump parts kit) not sure if it's same size as north ?
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Laughingman
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edt
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Re: My one-pump tubes are melting - any ideas for replacemen
No it's definitely the sun and oxidation that is doing it. It turns to goo because the tube has already lost its structural integrity. Its like a hollowed out tree trunk or a radiator hose on a 20 year old car, only looks solid from the outside.
When you get your new tubing, try cutting off a test piece and soaking it in soap for a couple weeks nothing will happen.
When you get your new tubing, try cutting off a test piece and soaking it in soap for a couple weeks nothing will happen.
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neworleansrich
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Re: My one-pump tubes are melting - any ideas for replacemen
Get some 1/4inch SILICONE tubing off Ebay. It will out last you and your kite.
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flybykite
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Re: My one-pump tubes are melting - any ideas for replacemen
Thats a good idea, been looking for replacement hoses for awhile and the hardware store and automotive shops got nuthin. Is that inside diameter or outside diameter 1/4" ?neworleansrich wrote:Get some 1/4inch SILICONE tubing off Ebay. It will out last you and your kite.
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sarc
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Re: My one-pump tubes are melting - any ideas for replacemen
Interesting thread and here is a pic of one of the least affected tubes - the shiny sticky part is where the soap was applied
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SalmonSlayer
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Re: My one-pump tubes are melting - any ideas for replacemen
is it possible you used a soap with an added ingredient for lemon smell that contributed to the corrosion?
I used to use a combination of bleach and lemon Joy when I want to give the fish hold and deck of my boat a good scrub. It worked well.
Anyway, I am not a fan of one pump for this very reason. More parts and if something goes wrong like you are experiencing it eats up all of the time you saved setting up your kite. NOT worth it IMHO.
I used to use a combination of bleach and lemon Joy when I want to give the fish hold and deck of my boat a good scrub. It worked well.
Anyway, I am not a fan of one pump for this very reason. More parts and if something goes wrong like you are experiencing it eats up all of the time you saved setting up your kite. NOT worth it IMHO.