Pumping up w/ Helium

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Has anybody has ever filled their bladders w/ helium instead of air. I don't think it'd make quite enough lift to float the kite like a balloon, but might keep the kite in the sky in lulls and make for very EZ relaunching. Possible faster response?

I see two cons so far:
1. He is expensive
2. Need one of those lightweight tanks

Thoughts? Very Happy

Mark · Wed Feb 28, 07 5:17 pm

Stay away from Hydrogen.

It would give a new meaning to hindenburg though.....

Mark · Wed Feb 28, 07 6:07 pm

I wonder if it would leak out. Helium balloons work best if they are mylar.

EdG · Since 19 Dec 2005 424 Posts Just a Kook that's Obsessed

I was thinking the same thing.

Wiki says...

"For similar reasons, and also due to the small size of its molecules, helium's diffusion rate through solids is three times that of air and around 65% that of hydrogen."

I'm not sure what the bladders are made out of and how they would react to it.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1313 Posts Possessed

I tried it once
but accidentally let go
and my kite flew away Crying or Very sad

MEwing5000 · Since 14 Nov 2005 34 Posts Seattle

Like clock work this topic comes up every year. Let's see the conclusion this year, I bet it's the same as the last three years. Has no positive effect in a kite. It's fun to day dream about it though.

Sol-flyer · Wed Feb 28, 07 7:46 pm

its not enough volume space.
there's a pretty good post about this on kiteforum,....bla

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

I think it'd probably leak out pretty quick as well. Our He regulators leak like a bitch in the lab so we have to be careful to shut em off if not in use. Forgetting gets spendy in a hurry on zero-grade (99.999%) insane purity stuff!

BigR · Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

Doesn't do anything much,

I tried it back in 1997-1998.

Bought a big tank of Helium and filled up all the struts on my Wipika 8.5m,
which is kinda like an 11-12m nowadays.

anyhoo's, it was just a little bit lighter but not huge, slightly easier to relaunch, turned just a little bit faster, easier to keep in the air during lulls...

Thats it , it wasn't really worth it so I never did it after that

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

I know this topic is as old as kiteboarding but its still fun to think about...

I wonder if Slingy ever tried it with the Machine... that thing holds a lot of air...

Onad · Thu Mar 01, 07 4:34 pm

Helium can be a lot of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just ask Travis Bickel Rex (TBR)!! Wink

Wyo Kiter · Thu Mar 01, 07 4:37 pm

I know a guy who uses Helium every shesh...He can jump higher and throw more spins than anyone I have seen out there!!!LOL Twisted Evil

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

you know... looking at that picture makes me think.... screw the helium, but rigging a bottle of air like that (possibly a scuba tank?) on wheels could be pretty cool on the beach.... instant inflato of the machino... Very Happy

jahmbi · Thu Mar 01, 07 8:19 pm

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Screw standard pumps, screw electric pumps, screw air compressors, screw scuba tanks... I'm going to work on building a reusable nitrogen airbag inflation system into my kites. Hook up the lines, press a button, and voila. Kite's filled in 1/10th of a second! Wink

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

hamlindp · Fri Mar 02, 07 7:50 am **Helium laughter**

How about a radio controlled helicopter that follows a sensor placed on the center quadrant of the leading edge. This could hold the kite up in lulls and add 50 feet to your jumps when the wind completely farts out. You could also have a remote fuel tank on the beach, with a LONG rubber supply line that continuosly feeds the engine of the helicopter. What do ya think? Laughing