JoneZ Posted March 26, 2009 Report Share Posted March 26, 2009 Any clues or tips on how to minimize the motor'esq sound that come from my kite when she's shredding wind? Anything above 6-7Mph and she starts to buzz. Everything seems tight enough upon inspection. My sail tension is on the L.E. is tight, and theres no tensioner for the trailing edge -- just the standoffs, but the trailing edge is good'n'tight when the standoffs are in place. Im flying a Premier Widow if thats any help. And its not affecting performance (at least I think), Im just pondering a way to silence the Widow -- make her flying match her look --- stealthy. Thanks in adv. ~Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoneZ Posted April 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 To answer my own question, I am in the process now of installing a Leech line in my trailing edge -- ever so carefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoneZ Posted April 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 Well, I havent done this yet. Kind of put a hiatus on it. I was using 80# Dacron (for the elasticity value), but it turned out to be too thick of a line. The re-enforced patch around the Jaco connectors is whats killin me. Im using a blunt canvas/jean needle, as to not puncture the T.E.. I passed the dacron through the needle, and melted it onto the end, trying to make it as flush as possible to the needle itself. I don't think I can make it any more flush. I passed through on re-enforced patch, but on the 2nd part of the 2nd patch, it just wouldnt pass through. Im thinking about grabbing some 90# spectra, maybe that'll be a little thinner, and pass between the stitching better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baloo Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 Rather than sewing my kite up I would be tempted to turn the Mp3 player up a bit. Best of luck with your project. I dont know anything about making kites quieter I am afraid. I know that some dualies I have had have been VERY noisy. The 2 I have now dont seem to be too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedgewarden Posted April 3, 2009 Report Share Posted April 3, 2009 Hmm, Jon, 20 years ago, the noise was an important part of a sports kite! See "The Stunt Kite Book" by Fujino & Ruhe, 1989 Good luck on the mods. I believe, the noise dissipates energy, so slows the kite in higher winds. Let us know if the handling changes (the secrets of the Kite Designer Guild are discovered?) The quietest kite I've owned I think was a Hornet - tremendous precision but not much trickability. Modest pull until the wind picked up to 20 mph - then scared the bejabbers out of this newb. Speaking of 20 mph winds - today I got about 20 min of air-time . Gusty winds, so I flew my Yin-Yang. In rather uncooperative winds, I axeled once on the left, and once on the right wind window edge. That was 100% of the attempts (I didn't try when I felt the set-up was wrong.) - a personal best under less than ideal conditions ( ) That was the first time I axeled the Yin-Yang without wrapping a tip! The Yin-Yang was "screaming" when the wind was above 15 mph (est.). That and the split sail does seem to help mitigate gusty winds. Any-hoo, Jon, please let us know if taming the noise affects the handling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Choccy Posted April 3, 2009 Report Share Posted April 3, 2009 If all else fails, fly a Rev instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoneZ Posted April 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2009 LoL Soon my dear,, very soon. If I could only stop getting large electricity bills, and phone bills, or if only weddings didnt cost a fortune, I might be able to pick up one of those '07 models from the kite shoppe. lol *le sigh* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoneZ Posted April 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Ahhh,,,, Quiet. Love it. Went to T's shop and picked up some new 120' spectra line, as well as 6 foot of 50# dacron. Went to Cannon Beach, sheathed my new line, installed the leech line. Lovin the 120' lines And man, that leech line made all the difference. Not only in the noise factor (theres absolutely no noise whatsoever), but the way it flies. It seemed to improve the tracking -- so much so, that I deactivated my tristar setup, and just flew with the 3point (I think that might have something to do with the L.E. fitting mod I found out about from Premier). I was locking in 90o turns like nothin else. Its also easier to snap stall. It seems I can shake the wind from the sails easier with that leech line installed. It didn't affect the high wind performance at all. I am extremely happy. Well, that was, until I ripped my sail right over the spine, pullin off a dead launch. lol. Only about a 1" rip, nothing a little adhesive nylon can't fix. Oh! I got my Fiance a new single line kite as well. 7' winspan multi-coloured bird. She flies great. Got a 500' 50# dacron line to go with it. She likes the stratusphere. Got a sunburn, got sand between my toes, and Im tired as sh**. All in all, an absolutely fantastic weekend. I'll upload pics to my profile soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baloo Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 You sure it isnt just quieter cuz it is further away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kite Shoppe Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 You sure it isnt just quieter cuz it is further away? LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoneZ Posted April 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Got a sunburn, got sand between my toes, and Im tired as sh**. All in all, an absolutely fantastic weekend. I'll upload pics to my profile soon. got a few new pics up, including our new single line addition, Josephine. 7.5ft wingspan bird kite. ~Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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