Advanced Elements AE1008 - Manual (Page 14)

TM
14
PROBLEM
Does not hold air while
inflating
The canoe is sagging or
under inflated
The canoe will not hold
full pressure for more
than a couple of hours.
The canoe still loses air.
The floor bladder is
losing air.
Tube is kinked or bent
in.
The floor has formed a
large bubble.
Water in the canoe.
The canoe drifts to one
side.
SOLUTION
The spring valve uses a plunger system. The only time the plunger
should be in the open position is when you are deflating. Make sure
that the plunger is closed to inflate. Push the plunger in and rotate
counter-clockwise.
Be sure that the right pump is being used. You need a bellows foot
pump or a double action hand pump. A 12-V electric does not supply
enough pressure to fully inflate the canoe. The 12-V can be used to par-
tially inflate the canoe but one of the other pumps is needed to top it off.
Make sure that the plunger is in the closed position. It should only
be open when deflating. If it is open, the only seal is the black rubber
gasket inside the cap. Even then, a little air may still leak out.
If you have checked all the previous possible reasons for the canoe
losing air, then there may be a pinhole or hole somewhere on the tube.
Pull tube from outer covers. Inflate. If you cannot see or hear where
a leak may be, take a clean rag with soapy water and begin rubbing
the tube. If a hole is present, bubbles will continually form. Repair
using repair kit. If it is a very small pinhole, a dab of the glue will be
sufficient.
Check valve gaskets and make sure that the cap tether (ring that holds
the cap to the valve so as not to lose it) is not interfering with the seal.
The valves must be closed tightly.
The tube just needs to be adjusted. When canoe is fully deflated try
adjusting the position of the tube inside of the outer shell.
If two of the ridges in the floor have formed one large one, the I-beam
has come apart. This is caused by over inflation. It cannot be fixed.
You need a new floor.
There will almost always be a little water in the canoe. One reason is
the water drips off of the paddle and into the canoe. If there is an exces-
sive amount, retreat to shore and check canoe for any slices or gashes in
the outer cover.
A canoe will always head in the direction of your last stroke. If it is
drifting in the opposite direction, the floor may not be aligned. Make
sure that the floor is properly centered. Also make sure that the air bags
in the bow and stern are properly inflated and the straps are pulled
tight. You can also try using a kayak paddle instead of a canoe paddle.
7. TROUBLESHOOTING