low tube pressure

[pauliD]

I maintain a fleet of inflatable boats. I inflate the tubes with a compressor until the relief valves blow. I have one rib on which the valves blow before full pressure is achieved. Can anyone direct me to information on valve maintenance?

[jyasaki]

Any idea of the valve manufacturer?

Leafield used to have data sheets on their valves but last I looked, I couldn't find them.

Might try NRS Web.

jky

[pauliD]

The ribs were manufactured by Ribcraft.

[willk]

Originally Posted by pauliD

I maintain a fleet of inflatable boats. I inflate the tubes with a compressor until the relief valves blow. I have one rib on which the valves blow before full pressure is achieved. Can anyone direct me to information on valve maintenance?

Your boats, your rules. That said, you would be in more difficulty today had you encountered a relief valve that failed to blow off...

By their nature, blow off valves should vent at a pressure higher than the recommended working pressure of the tubes. Filling to a known pressure (even if it is slightly higher than the working pressure) seems safer than relying on a crude vent to avert a disaster.

[Locozodiac]

If 3.5 PSI is the max pressure you like to pump your inflatables to, probably manufacturer used a valve that opens at 3.0 PSI or under in which case will need to change current valve for a new one that opens at or around 3.5 PSI.

Happy Boating

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by willk

Your boats, your rules. That said, you would be in more difficulty today had you encountered a relief valve that failed to blow off...

By their nature, blow off valves should vent at a pressure higher than the recommended working pressure of the tubes. Filling to a known pressure (even if it is slightly higher than the working pressure) seems safer than relying on a crude vent to avert a disaster.

I agree, you should be setting to recommended pressures not overfilling. The valves are typically set for a half psi or more over the factory recommended pressure setting.

Some valves are adjustable. First you need to know who makes the valve and what model number it is. Should be written on the valve. I do believe they are color coded for the pressure blow off.

Pressure Relief Valves for Life Rafts and Inflatable Structures

Cleaning a Leafield A6 valve. (Not sure what you have, but these are very common)
http://www.leafieldmarine.co.uk/Port...structions.pdf

Leafield A6 pressure chart.
http://www.leafieldmarine.co.uk/Port...tion-Chart.pdf