Adding vents to Smiley bags

On Sep 6, 4:01*pm, JS wrote:
* Wondering if there's a recommended vendor to add vents to non-vented
Smiley bags (AS-W27). I can't get all the air out of these bags with
the usual foot pump. The factory bags were vented and held more water
but look fragile and already leak.
* Alternatively, parts and procedures for DIY.
Thanks,
Jim

Um, maybe you need to fill your non-vented bags like everyone else
does? Wing tip down, detach hose from valve, use funnel and extension
hose. Fill, burp, repeat...

Inelegant, but works.

Tip: use McMaster Carr latex hose in preference to tygon. Much
softer, easier to work with, especially when cold.

I plugged the vents on my vented Smileys.

-Evan Ludeman / T8

My technique for the last 20 years or so has been to use a standpipe
and fill both wings simultaneously, vacuuming first especially if the
bags are not vented. This worked for the LS-4 (both vented and
unvented bags), LS-6 (unvented), AS-W20 (vented), another AS-W27
(vented), but of course not the Nimbus 3. Never flew with water in the
AS-W17 or AS-H26.
The funnel sounds a bit 70s. I don't like to support one wing full
of water on a wing stand either, as I've seen people squash the foam
core that way.
This set of bags doesn't vacuum as well as others. Perhaps they just
need removing/replacing using the correct facial expressions and
abusive phrases? Would it help to drill more holes in the inner pipes?
The factory bags are vented and fill easily, but look like water bed
material. After having a similar bag break in flight - filling the
cockpit with water - there's a preference to use heavy duty bags. At
least the factory bags are not shower curtains as removed from the 4
and the 17!
Somebody may know how to vent the Smileys...
Jim

On Sep 7, 1:25*am, JS wrote:

* The funnel sounds a bit 70s. I don't like to support one wing full
of water on a wing stand either, as I've seen people squash the foam
core that way.

That's avoided by putting the stand at the tip only. It helps to have
a stand that can go a foot or two higher than normal. As second wing
fills, it will drop to the ground.

Good luck on your project.

-T8

On Sep 6, 5:11*pm, T8 wrote:
On Sep 6, 4:01*pm, JS wrote:



Inelegant, but works.

Tip: use McMaster Carr latex hose in preference to tygon. *Much
softer, easier to work with, especially when cold.


-Evan Ludeman / T8

Evan,

What about using silicone rubber tubing from McMaster-Carr . . .
unlike "latex", excellent weather and ozone resistance, better
temperature range too. In my experiece, which doesn't include smiley
bag applications, latex doesn't last all that long when exposed to the
elements.

bumper
zz (lower case, Paul:c)
Minden
QV and MKIV

On Sep 7, 11:53*am, bumper wrote:
On Sep 6, 5:11*pm, T8 wrote:

On Sep 6, 4:01*pm, JS wrote:

Inelegant, but works.

Tip: use McMaster Carr latex hose in preference to tygon. *Much
softer, easier to work with, especially when cold.

-Evan Ludeman / T8

Evan,

What about using silicone rubber tubing from McMaster-Carr . . .
unlike "latex", *excellent weather and ozone resistance, better
temperature range too. In my experiece, which doesn't include smiley
bag applications, latex doesn't last all that long when exposed to the
elements.

bumper
zz (lower case, Paul:c)
Minden
QV and MKIV

(sorry about the hijack...) The tubing I am using is #5234K61 1 x
1-1/4, black. Shore 35A (very soft, stretchy, doesn't take a set).
It's more durable than you think, and I think many people would
mistake it for silicone. Two seasons, doesn't look any different than
new. Nothing wrong with silicone in general, but I don't see anything
in the catalog that I'd use in preference to the latex.

-Evan Ludeman / T8