Kite inflation compressor

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 306 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

Anyone know how small or large a compressor I would need to buy to inflate 2 or 3 large (13 or 15m kites? I was thinking about buying a cheap 1 gal compressor and keeping it charged in my trunk so I could quickly inflate for an after-work session. Any experience/ thoughts about this? Thanks!

Looking at:

http://bit.ly/17FCiuY

Or without a tank:

http://bit.ly/17FCdaw

Anyone have experience w something like this? Thanks!

lloyd · Since 16 Aug 2007 108 Posts Hood River Stoked

1 gallon isn't even close. I had a 2 1/2 gallon that barely inflated the leading edge only of my 14.

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 306 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

Doesn't the air being pressurized to 100+ psi make a difference here? I was thinking 1 gal would be fine?! Guess not...

Other suggestions?

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

P*V = n*R*T

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideal_gas_law

jaksavage · Since 02 Dec 2009 216 Posts hood river Stoked

portable compressor check it out in industry section....$299 will fill 5 kites with one charge. will recharge on 12 v or 110 v. Smile

ridercentral · Since 20 May 2009 38 Posts PDX-Coast-Gorge

Just pump it up by hand.

Good warmup for kiting And you may actually get a little stronger !? Imagine that!

Unless you have an actual injury that prevents you from pumping, just do it. Get a good pump with a tall cylinder for maximum pump-age. You got this !!!

Nak · Mon Aug 19, 13 8:42 pm

Tool type compressors don't really work well for kites unless the compressor is really big. Lot's of volume needed. For something portable you need either an electric kite pump or CO2. For big kites, you can get a cordless coleman pump at Walmart for about $30 that will fill the volume of the kite--over half of the pumping--and finish pumping with a normal kite pump to get the pressure. Removing the top seal from the kite pump will make it pump on the downstroke only, MUCH easier on the back.

Elbert · Since 23 Jul 2013 11 Posts Portland

From a MA Kite forum:
http://masskiting.com/boston-cape_cod-new_england/ma-ri-vt-ct-me-nh-kiteboard_forum/alternative-manual-air-pumps

I have been using a 20lb liquid Co2 tank desinged for Off Road Racing for a bunch of years and it is a great thing!
I it's the size of a scuba tank and will pump up 20-25 kites depending on kite size.
Refill cost is abput 20$ which I generally do twice a season.
It is not a small item, but it is super handy. I leave it in the Van, but it would easily fit in a trunk.

OK it IS a greenhouse gas but really nothing compared with driving your car 50 miles to HR

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Feeding the plants

mikiter · Since 24 Sep 2008 43 Posts

dhannf · Since 29 Nov 2010 42 Posts

Ditto with NAK, get a little rechargeable pump ($30 or less), it does 2/3 the work, top off with hand pump. Keep it light and cheap.

Jonpnw · Tue Aug 20, 13 7:07 am **Question**

Is it an injury that makes pumping a kite difficult for some ? It seems so quick and simple to me ? Pump the kite Rolling Eyes

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

Liquid CO2 is the best idea I've heard....
But I still do it the old fashioned way...

Diggy · Since 25 Nov 2006 342 Posts Gorge to Coast Obsessed

Typically the only warmup I get for kiting is pumping. I guess I could stretch, and do jumping jacks or something while the pump runs which would be a better warm up but I'd probably be to lazy.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

There is some older guy at the sand bar I see every day who has a portable charger. He rides rpm and rally's. he has the timing right. Turn on the pump an let the kite to with enough time to roll back to the car and grab his gear to return to a Inflating kite. I saw him yesterday as i was coming back in and he was pumping a 12 rpm up. About 65 with blond hair and shorter !! Just my two cents

Sella · Tue Aug 20, 13 10:03 am

Keep it green, keep it quiet and keep it natural JB!

You still need to "top off" with a hand-pump so when you factor the time involved to manhandle 2 pumps I never really understood the need for assisted living unless it's medically related because you're not getting on the water that much faster. Just like Diggy said.....it's a warm-up / stretching / put work behind you kind of time as you gaze out on the water getting amped to slay that shit. Laughing

Perhaps invest in a tall pump as they make a big difference in speed. For people with wrist/elbow/back pain take Nak's advice on removing the top seal for a 1-way action. Much easier on the body and you can get your kite perfectly ping tight.

JeffT · Since 07 Jul 2012 238 Posts Deep Southern Portland Stoked

Not sure if all pumps work this way but my Naish 2012 pump will not pump on the upstroke if I slowly pull. I really like this feature as it allows a quick double stroke for 90% of the inflation then switch to only down stroke for the last 10%.
Perhaps the up-stroke valve is lifted a little higher allowing for bypass if the pull is slow enough. dunno