Question

graphicsguy · 29 April 2006, 17:34

How many of you have pressure relief valves fitted?

I have been informed that ' The way they work is to weep air all the time, so you will regularly have to pump the craft up.

For typical UK use they are not really necessary but you do on a hot sunny day have to think about a boat pumped up hard in the AM over pressurising '

What do you think. Should I have them fitted or not?

Regards,

Tony

jwalker · 29 April 2006, 17:52

Quote:

...The way they work is to weep air all the time...

Mine don't leak. The tubes stay inflated for months.

BogMonster · 29 April 2006, 18:08

I don't, but I wish I did as I could leave the tubes harder all the time without having to worry about warm days. Fiddling around with pressure all the time is a PITA and I would much rather just inflate them and let them sort themselves out.

Alex Brown · 29 April 2006, 18:12

If they leak constantly, there is something wrong with them.

When the tubes reach a certain pressure, then they let the air go until it's back to a safe pressure again. Last summer, in the evening which was quite cool, the tubes were pretty soft, so I pumped them upto the working pressure.... following day in the sunlight, checked the pressure and it was the same - the valves will have let the air out to make sure the tubes don't get overpressured.

Even in the UK, dark tubes get affected by sunlight on them increasing the pressure - in my case, Humber were rather insistant I have them fitted, but I'd rather that than have a failure in the tube at a later date cos I have overinflated em

-Alex

graphicsguy · 29 April 2006, 18:23

The info. I have quoted was given to me by one of the main rib builders/dealers and I am very interested in everyones views on pressure relief valves.
Thanks for the opinions so far.

Regards,

Tony

paul tilley · 29 April 2006, 21:13

pressure relief valves should only let out air at the set pressure of the valve which can be as high as 10 psi if using leafield valves but is normally between 2 and 3.25psi on most rib tubes the valve will then close when the reseat pressure has been reached .even in the uk it is adviseable to use them in dark coloured tubes or make sure you do not inflate the tubes hard when it is cold to avoid possible overpressure when it gets hot