Problem with F_Rib

[albasmac]

Has anyone else had a problem with the pressure relief valves leaking air? and if so is there a simple cure?



It's only wise to ignore advice once you've actually listened to it.

[Paul]

Albasmac

Sorry to read about this problem

Just looked back and there was a pressure relief valve issue with one other boat 2 years ago but I think air was leaking through a faulty valve body

relief valve 1

relief valve.jpg (27.22 KiB) Viewed 5473 times

Not from between the fabric and valve like yours appears to be doing in your photo

relief valve 2

I think you best contact F-Rib HQ and seek their advice on what course of action should be taken with regard to repair/warranty

Let us know the outcome

[albasmac]

Hi Paul
I thought I'd seen something about this before but couldn't find it.
I thought I might have to get in touch with F-Rib but I've only got this week before I head up the west coast for a week's holiday and hoped there might be an easy fix!
I'll email them tonight and see what they recommend.

[Paul B]

Hi Paul
I thought I'd seen something about this before but couldn't find it.
I thought I might have to get in touch with F-Rib but I've only got this week before I head up the west coast for a week's holiday and hoped there might be an easy fix!
I'll email them tonight and see what they recommend.

I would ring them mate, especially as you are going away on holiday, much quicker and you know they are dealing with it. Emails can be good but a phone conversation will be quicker

[enzo200500]

Can the valve body be tightened to clamp the material better?

I have no experience of these fribs, so excuse my lack of knowledge!

[kaman]

I have no experience of the frib pressure relief valve but I would hazard a guess that it is similar in construction to the Halkey Roberts valves used to fill the tubes.
If this is the case removing it and reseating it properly will probably cure the problem.
I've done this several times on my Sibs to cure minor leaks from the edge of the valve/fabric and from the actual valve itself - sand had stopped the rear rubber seal closing properly.

Care must be taken to ensure the threaded assembly which the valve screws into does not fall down inside the tube.
Therefore best to remove it on flat level surface with tubes fully deflated

Have a look at this video .

https://youtu.be/-LkGG0ooSjA


Hope you get sorted

[albasmac]

Thanks for the replies, I've spoken to Steve at F-Rib and that's exactly what he's suggested doing.
I'll give it a try tonight and see how I get on.

It's only wise to ignore advice once you've actually listened to it.

[James]

Hi

Mine leaked but tightening it seemed to fix it. I've only pumped it up once since.

James

[Stray]

Mine's been pumped up since November, so little air loss I haven't bothered topping it up.

[harrison]

Has anyone else had a problem with the pressure relief valves leaking air? and if so is there a simple cure?

It was myself who briefly had one of the first flat deck twin skinned 375's which experienced leaky prv's. Like yourself they both leaked between the outside of the valve but also leached air through the valve if inflated to anywhere near the running pressure of 0.25 bar, tubes would be flat as a pancake within 72hrs.
In my opinion the quality of these prv's is poor but the installation of the valves equally suspect. Both had evidence of clear silicon sealant between the outer flange and the tubes which in itself seems worrying as an airtight joint should be achievable by compression alone. If the manufacturer is applying silicon during assembly it suggests there may be an underlying fault with the valves. The pics below indicate this.

Silicon seal between valve body and fabric

Air leaking from perimeter

Air leaking through valve

Hope you get it sorted and it's a quick fix. I must say F-Rib were first class trying to sort this who offered the choice of a repair, replacement boat and even ordering one from Winboat without the pesky prv's. Don't really know what happened to fix mine as this problem plus a worry the twin skinned floor sections were letting in water somewhat soured my F-Rib experience and a full refund was offered. Can't fault that.