A7 valve Replacement?

Bigtalljv · 28 August 2012, 18:15

Hi,

two of the old A7 valves on my project are leaking where the valve body meets the fabric, around the outer edge. Is this a mechanical seal or a glue seal? Sorry a picture would do wonders here but I don't have the boat handy.

If it's a glue seal problem and I have to replace the valve is there anywhere near a consensus on what the "best" valve is now? Hypalon zodiac.

Thanks,
Jason

paul tilley · 28 August 2012, 18:43

mechanical try tightening it

Bigtalljv · 09 January 2013, 23:39

Well 5 months later and I finally got the tubes flipped back over and dug deeper into the problem. There appears to be two cuts/cracks/damage in the fabric around the valve hole. It looks like they (US Military) tried to use some glue in there in the past to get it to seal. I have no idea if that worked back then but it doesn't work now. What should I do?

Also second question, on the A7 valve repair kits they come with a larger O-ring. Is that the O-ring you see in picture 1 that the cap seats to? I think it is but I thought I'd check first.

Thanks,
Jason

Dave Cowell · 11 January 2013, 10:20

It looks as if someone has made the cuts to replace the valve.

Easy to fix,
Cut 5" disc from hypalon with valve hole in centre
unscrew valve, prep surface and glue hypalon disc in place
Refit valve and inflate
Tie a length of string to inner portion of valve to to avoid having to play find the valve when you come to refit

Bigtalljv · 11 January 2013, 15:58

thanks Dave,

I had hoped it was that easy.

The next question I think I can answer but I will ask it anyway. Should I get a more modern valve to replace the A7? The new ones are lower profile and easier maintenance?? Of course then I have two different valves because the other 6 are still A7 and not leaking so I'm not going to chop them out just because they are old.

Thanks,
Jason