Replace A7 valve with A6 Pressure relief valve without cutting a new hole?

[boatster_sr4]

I read somewhere on the forums that you can remove an A7 valve from the tubes and put in the A6 Pressure relief valves without cutting the tubes open or putting in a donut patch. Something about doing a few minor incisions to the existing hole to get the old A7 out and put the new A6 valve in...

Has anyone actually done this?

[paul tilley]

yep but how are you going to inflate the tubes ?

[boatster_sr4]

Hi Paul,

I thought there was a way to swap out non pressure release valves (a7) with pressure release valves (a6)? Or am I missing something? Do I still have to use a donut patch?

I was just planning to use my regular avon foot pump to inflate the tubes.

I just want to add 2 pressure release valves to the 2 rear tube sections. That way I don't have to worry about depressurizing the tubes after I haul out the boat from the water.

[martini]

The A7 is an inflation valve, you use it to pump up your tubes.
The A6 is a pressure relief valve, when the air pressure in your tubes get to a certain pressure, the A6 valve will open slightly to let out an amount of air, enough to bring the pressure back down to the limit that's preset in the A6, see here.

Here's the important bit: You can't inflate your tubes through a pressure relief valve!

[boatster_sr4]

haha. Ok I got it. Thanks for that clarification.

So I would need to create a new hole in the tubes for the A6 pressure relief valve. Do you happen to know what pressure setting would be required for the Avon Searider? It has the original hypalon tubes. Is it 2.4 psi?

I suppose it would make sense to put the pressure relief valve right next to the inflation valve?

Thanks for the clarification.