Bladder / Wing battens

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Changing bladders

If your wing doesn’t seem to hold the pressure anymore, first check if a leak is coming from the central strut or the leading edge. When the wing is inflated, close the one-pump clamp and observe which part seems to be leaking. Whether it is the central strut or the leading edge, first check whether the valve is properly closed or that there is no sand on or under its rubber seal. It is not uncommon for a leak to simply be the result of an improperly closed valve or the result of just a few grains of sand on the valve seal. If, despite these checks, your central strut or leading edge deflates, the bladder must be removed for inspection and possibly replaced.

Change the bladder on the leading edge

Step 1: Remove the bladder

To remove the bladder of your wing, equip yourself with kite lines or 3 lines of a similar type of the length of your bladder. Unroll your wing on a clean surface and follow the steps shown in this video.

  • Open the zipper in the center of the leading edge and gently detach the inflation valve from the hook-and-loop that secures its positioning. Pass the valve inside the leading edge. Remove its cap beforehand.
  • Detach the one-pump tube from the bended valve by pulling the plastic ring towards you, then the one-pump tube. Be careful not to lose this plastic ring which is now completely loose.
  • Insert the bended valve of the one-pump into the leading edge. It is only held by a small ledge. Before fully inserting it, tie a kite line to it with a lark knot. If you’re not using a kite line we recommend a clove hitch knot. The line will then be used as a wire puller.
  • Open the leading edge at its tip by unfolding the sleeve after having detached it from its hook-and-loop attachment. Take out the end of the bladder and attach a wire puller, being careful not to damage it.
  • Reinsert the end of the bladder with its wire puller into the sleeve of the leading edge.
  • Repeat this on the other end of the leading edge.
  • You can now remove the first half of the bladder by the zipper by pulling the part that does not have any valve towards you. Don’t force it. When the first half is extracted, remove the wire puller and secure it to the side so it does not mix with the other wire pullers.
  • You can now extract the second half of the bladder by the zipper by pulling the part that contains the inflation valve and the bended valve towards you. Don’t force it. When the bended valve of the one-pump is extracted, remove and secure its wire puller before continuing. When the bladder is completely extracted, remove the wire puller and secure it to the side so as not to mix it with the other wire pullers.

Step 2: Insert the new bladder

If after inspection it is necessary to change your bladder, follow the steps shown in this video.

  • Remove the protective film around the inflation valve of your new bladder.
  • Fold your bladder flat like an accordion so that it does not pick up unwanted elements by sliding on the floor when inserting it.
  • Place your folded bladder in front of the zipper on the side of the inflation valve because to start we introduce the side of the bladder that does not have valves.
  • Secure the corresponding wire puller at this end, being careful not to damage the bladder and insert it into the leading edge by the zipper. Pull the wire puller at the end, guiding the introduction of the bladder into the leading edge with your hand so that it goes in as flat as possible. It is therefore preferable to have two people for this operation, one person on the puller side and one person to introduce the bladder.
  • To insert the other half of the bladder, repeat this operation placing the remaining and folded part on the bladder to the other side of the zipper. Note that you will have to fix the wire puller on the end of the one-pump when it passes by you.
  • When it appears in the right place, re-attach the inflation valve to its hook-and-loop contour and pass it past the ledge before replacing the cap.
  • Replace the PVC protection under the zipper before closing it.
  • Reattach the end of the one-pump using its wire puller. Pass it past the ledge and orient it in line with the leading edge. Reconnect the one-pump to the bended valve and push the plastic ring onto it holding the one-pump tube. Gradually, the ring will return to the base of the valve.
  • Close each end of the leading edge by tucking the tip of the bladder back into the sheath. The folded sheath is attached to a hook-and-loop inside the leading edge.

Step 3: Inflate the wing

After replacing the bladder, you must make sure that it is correctly placed in its sleeve because if it twists or bends it can create a hernia during inflation. To make sure that it is correctly placed, you must gradually inflate your wing as shown in this video.

  • Close the one-pump clamp and inflate the leading edge until the wing slightly takes shape.
  • At this time, do a first check that the bladder is correctly placed. By kneading the leading edge along its length, the weakly inflated bladder will naturally find its place in its sleeve. If there is a suspicious fold or hollow, the bladder is incorrectly positioned. Do not further inflate the wing before you have removed the suspect folds by kneading the leading edge (lowering the pressure may help).
  • If the bladder seems correctly placed, repeat this operation with a little more pressure.
  • Finally, fully inflate your wing for a final check.

Change the bladder of the central strut

Step 1: Remove the bladder

To get the bladder out of your wing, equip yourself with kite lines or, if you don’t have a kite bar, 2 lines of a similar type of at least the length of your bladder. Unroll your wing on a clean surface and follow the steps shown in this video.

  • Detach the one-pump tube from its bended valve by pulling the plastic ring towards you, then the one-pump tube. Be careful not to lose this plastic ring which is no longer retained.
  • Insert the bended valve of the one-pump into the sleeve of the central strut. It is only held by a small ledge. Before fully inserting it, tie a kite line to it with a lark knot or with a clove hitch knot if you’re not using a kite line. It will then be used as a wire puller.
  • Repeat this for the deflation valve on the other side of the central strut. Remove the cap beforehand and bring in the deflation valve which is retained by a ledge and a hook-and-loop contour. Also attach a wire puller as shown in the video to easily reposition it later.
  • Open the central strut by the end by unfolding the sleeve after having detached it from its hook-and-loop fastener.
  • Pull on the bladder until it is completely extracted and detach the wire pullers, clearly identifying the one on the one-pump valve and the one on the deflation valve (for example by placing them distinctly on each side of the central strut)

Step 2: Insert the new bladder

If after inspection it is necessary to replace your bladder, follow the steps shown in this video.

  • Remove the protective film around the deflation valve of your new bladder.
  • Fold the end (top end where the valves are) of your new bladder inward as shown. By doing this, you prevent the bladder from folding on itself when inserted.
  • Position the new bladder facing the opening of the central strut, folding its corners inward to insert it more easily. Attach the lines to it as in the previous step and fold your bladder into an accordion so that it does not pick up unwanted elements by sliding on the floor when inserting it.
  • Pull on the wire pullers and guide the introduction of the bladder into the central strut with your hand. It is therefore preferable to have two people for this operation, one person on the puller side and one person to introduce the bladder.
  • Reattach the one-pump bended valve by passing it past the ledge and orienting it in the axis of the central strut. Reconnect the one-pump to the bended valve and push the plastic ring onto it holding the one-pump tube. Gradually, the ring will return to the base of the bended valve.
  • Re-attach the deflation valve to its hook-and-loop outline and pass it over the ledge before replacing the cap.
  • Close the end of the central strut by folding the end of the bladder into the sleeve. The folded sleeve is attached to a hook-and-loop part.

Step 3: Inflate the wing

After replacing the bladder, you must make sure that it is correctly placed in its sleeve because if it twists or bends it can create a hernia during inflation. To make sure that it is correctly placed, you must gradually inflate your wing as shown in this video.

  • Close the one-pump clamp and inflate the leading edge as you would for a session.
  • Open the clip of the one-pump while the central strut takes shape and close it before it is under pressure.
  • Do a first check to make sure that the bladder is correctly placed. By kneading the central strut along its length, the weakly inflated bladder will naturally find its place in the sleeve. Do not further inflate the central strut before you have removed the suspect folds by kneading it (lowering the pressure may help).
  • If the bladder seems correctly placed, repeat this operation with a little more pressure.
  • Finally, fully inflate your wing for a final check.