• Posts
  • RSS
  • ◂◂RSS
  • Contact

  • Bring Back Free-Flow Valves

    February 6th, 2021
    ideas, inflatables
    Over the past ~30y, manufacturers of small inflatables have switched to non-reflow valves. They should switch back to free-flow ones.

    Here's what I'm talking about:

    See that little line on the valve, on the inside of the ball? In a resting position it's closed. If you squeeze it or bite it, it opens. You might see it called a "check valve", "bite valve", or "non-return valve". The goal is to make it easier to blow up, because when you're taking a breath the air mostly doesn't leak out.

    The alternative is a free-flow valve, where the air goes in easily, and comes out just as easily. These require a small amount of technique: when you take a breath, you need to push your tongue gently against the opening, to keep the air from escaping.

    I will admit, if you haven't learned this technique, the new way is easier. But even if you have the valve fully opened, it provides far more resistance to your breath than a free-flow.

    Luckily, in many cases it is possible to remove the flap, converting it to flow freely. If you reach in with a pair of needle nose pliers, you may be able to grab the flap, twist it, and rip it free. I haven't ruined a valve doing this yet, though it is a risk, and I wouldn't do it on anything especially expensive.

    For larger inflatables it's worth using a pump, but in my experience, for a given amount of effort I can blow up something up about four times bigger with a free-flow valve.

    Comment via: facebook, lesswrong, hacker news

    Recent posts on blogs I like:

    Vegan nutrition notes

    I just got comprehensive blood test results and it seems my nutritional numbers are in decent shape (vitamin D, B12, etc) after being vegan for over a year, which is a good sign that I’m probably doing most things okay. Also, I feel good, my weight hasn’t…

    via Home June 2, 2023

    How much to coerce children?

    What's "for their own good"? The post How much to coerce children? appeared first on Otherwise.

    via Otherwise May 29, 2023

    Some mistakes I made as a new manager

    the trough of zero dopamine • managing the wrong amount • procrastinating on hard questions • indefinitely deferring maintenance • angsting instead of asking

    via benkuhn.net April 23, 2023

    more     (via openring)


  • Posts
  • RSS
  • ◂◂RSS
  • Contact