One side of kite P line bridle is 199cm vs 192cm the other side. .This is equal to two knots difference. This happens at the rate of about a third of a knot a session.
P line bridle spec is 197cm. Note one bridle is longer than spec because replacement bridles from SS vary by up to 10cm.
When hooking lines to kite do you compensate for this on the back or front lines?
It doesn't seem to make sense to me that one can adjust the length of the lines (with the knots) to compensate for a shrunken p-line. It may help but after looking at the diagram I'm unsure if it would be a solution.
I have had the same issue all season.
Last november my Rev 2 was flying like a dog and pulling to one side. Ordered p lines from the slingshot website and replaced the lines. It then flew amazingly good. Problem solved with great results I thought.
Within 1 month both the p lines had noticably twisted and shrunk again. By 2 months the kite flew real bad again and was retired to the shed.
Has anyone else had this happen?
Another set of P-lines was ordered. 2 pulleys were also ordered.
In the time (around 2 weeks) that I spent on the internet finding out why my rev 2 was flying bad, checking the line lengths, pumping it up in the backyard to walk around and around the kite in an attempt to understand the kite and connect with its inner chi, the possible reasons why the p-lines were twisting and shrinking so quickly, finding out what do about it and the possible solutions, and the time waiting for the order I bought a different small kite without a bridle.
I have been very happy flying this 'other' kite and maintenance of the rev2 has been put on the backburner.
My only solution would be to always have a spare set of p-lines in your kite kit. Replace them as soon as it becomes obvious that the kite starts to pull to one side and/or flys bad. Flying the rev with shrunken p lines while waiting for a new set is very frustrating.
I'm having the same problem with my gen 1 rev, where there was a 90mm difference between the bridle sections on each side.
I was told that the technique used to stitch slingshot lines means they can pull out and extend, as a sign that they're about to fail ...but shrinkage you say?
You can't really stop it pulling by changing the length of the flying lines - I've tried changing the back and front and still didnt completely fix the problem - looks like the change needs to be made at the bridle.
pulleys people! get pulleys that are bigger and the wheel on the pulley has to be a more open shape unlike the "U" shape ones they come with a more open shape puts less stress on the p lines and reduces twisting and wear. any good boat shop will have them
Your marked up diagram shows bridle LE5 as part of the P line. That's not correct as I am sure you know.
My REV 1 (sold 18 months ago) and Rev 2 (now my backup kite) both show P line twisting and shrinkage like every other REV ever made. I have replaced 7 sets of P lines. No longer covered by warranty of course. Been making my own out of old gear I have laying around.
My warranty P lines were always exactly 2220 mm
Here are the P line sizes Slingshot quote:
*************************************************
For replacing the 'P' Line on the Slingshot 2008 Hybrid Kite.
The 'P' Lines can be a wearing part and should be checked regularly.
Sizes:
5m Rev 'P' Lines - 1515mm
7m Rev 'P' Lines – 1800mm
9m Rev 'P' Lines – 2070mm
11m Rev 'P' Lines – 2220mm
13m Rev 'P' Lines – 2400mm
15m Rev 'P' Lines – 2525mm
********************************************
The dimension you quote 1970 mm as standard for your kite P line does not match any of these. Something not making sense here.
Initially you can compensate by shortening the back lines but eventually (often) you just have to replace the P lines.
BTW. My P lines shrink/twist about equally both sides
This is what I know.
Bridles twist and shorten at quite a rate. One side twists at 3 times the rate of the other.
SS fix was to remove neoprene pulley cover but this does not help. SS used to send replacements free of charge but no longer do, they now want close to $40 for a set. I used to go thru 5 sets a year per kite size.
Constantly have to compare length and make a little tag on bridle so know how many knots to compensate. Currently compensate when connecting BACK lines.
REv 1 and Rev 2 have the same twisting.
REVs are great SLE kites overall but this bridle thing is a pain and now expensive.
Did not buy an Octane because sus about this problem.
Have replaced a pulley or two but never has SS suggested replace with wider pulley.
Hmmm. That means Slingy sent me REV 1 P lines for my REV 2.
Can't quite read your chart. Pls let me know correct length for 11m REV 2 P lines
REV 2 P Line
7m____167.5 cm
9m____197 cm
11m___213 cm
13m___233 cm
No wonder the Rally has no bridles
Do you trick and jump equally hard and often in both directions?
I assume this effects how fast Left and Right P lines twist but not really sure
Have had the same problem with my Revs an 11 and 15.
On a trip to Fiji last year I took spare P lines for my 15 which I replaced while away, funny that my old P lines had reduced in length to match the right length for a 13 Rev (so a mate put my old lines onto his 13, nothing like recycling)
IMO, when the P lines twist and shorten the kite in slightly powered up (there for not as much de-power when bar out, this making it a tad harder to fly in light winds. And in some cases on 11 Rev with the bar pulled in and kite flying up under a lot of load (say from a stall close to the water) the top/centre edge of kite has started to collapse (pumped up to close to 9 pounds).
When rigging I use last knot / longest on back, 3rd knot / shorter on front, this fixes both of my problems.
Re pulleys, Ronstan have a good one, and a shop sell them with pig tail attached. check thread
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Review/Pulleys-rev-rpm/?SearchTerms=ronstan
Another option, if you're in WA come to the kite repair night at AKS this Thursday and learn how to splice your own dyneema!!!
And as someone said, get better pulleys!!!
Hey Guys,
As Rumblefish says, come along to our DIY repair night, I'm sure we can give you some useful tips you didn't already know. We stock the Ronstan Orbit block pulleys with pigtails attached. They are $29.95 ea but will be cheaper than two sets of P-lines. 
DM
Galah.....,
I wish there was a proper fix but the twist and shortening happens continuously from the time you start using the new P lines. Shortens in small increments every time you load the lines. It was a Rev 1 and Rev 2 design fault. I reckon the harder you jump and loop the sooner you have to replace the P lines. May be as quickly as 15 hours flying time or 30 or more hours if your'e just cruising or surfing.
But I have to say I haven't seen those new orbit pulleys before tonight. I wonder if they really do stop the Rev line twist/shortening?
Very surprising!!
I've flown both rev 1 and 2s for a season each (and bought them 2nd hand ) and they have always flown straight and true
Select to expand quote
You need to connect up the knots on the front lines to depower the kite and counteract the powering up from the shortening P line
Since you have already lengthened the back lines (reducing the kites angle of attack) I don't see the need to pull the front down as well.
I think you can compensate for back line shortening by all back line lengthening
Or
by all front line shortening
Or
Half and half if you want
Select to expand quoteRob S said...
You need to connect up the knots on the front lines to depower the kite and counteract the powering up from the shortening P line
Since you have already lengthened the back lines (reducing the kites angle of attack) I don't see the need to pull the front down as well.
I think you can compensate for back line shortening by all back line lengthening
Or
by all front line shortening
Or
Half and half if you want
Due to both P lines shortening - let alone one faster than the other, you are going to have to effectively shorten the front very quickly.
I want to work thru fixes that do not involve adding or removing anything to the kite or lines in the first instance.
I just saw an example of how a REv 2 was tuned by a dealer, remember all the complaints about Octanes being underpowered, shortened the back bridle by 4 inches. It fixed the sick kite.
RayQ
Thanks for your input. I had my doubts about the orbit pulleys making any difference. But also think the friction with the BWS rings could accelerate the twisting.
kitelooper1
I now doubt that altering the line lengths through the knots does anything much to compensate. The more I look at the bridle diagram the more I see how complex the interations are. If Slingshots designer was unable to figure it out through three generations of kites who am I to understand.
The only way to correct short P lines (temporarily) is to fit new ones.
