Trampolines & Bouncers

How to Replace a Halkey Roberts Valve

Replacing a Halkey Roberts Valve

Halkey Roberts boat valves are made in two parts: the nut on the inside of the inflatable and the valve that screws into the nut from the outside of the inflatable.  The seal between the inflatable and the valve body is achieved by tightening the inner and outer threaded pieces together, compressing the raised ridges on the valve halves down into the PVC fabric. 

It is a rather simple procedure to replace a valve. At the factory, we install valves very tight since the inflatable material will take a set or be permanently deformed by the ridges that are molded into the valve flange where they compress the fabric.  The valve will be hard to break loose at first but can be easily turned using a special valve wrench (sold separately here) or with a large channel lock pliers.

IMPORTANT:  RAVE uses valves from two different manufacturers.  They are not interchangeable.  Make sure you are replacing your valve with a “like color” valve to ensure a proper fit and seal.  Colors are gray or black.

Replacement procedure: (Time required:  Approx. 1-2 minutes)

Tools required:

  • Halkey Roberts valve
  • Valve wrench or channel lock/needle nose pliers
  1. Deflate the tube.
  2. Bunch the material around the inner valve body with your forefinger and thumb. Note: The valve poppet on the inside of the valve must be closed.  Depress and turn valve stem ¼ turn counter clockwise if necessary.
  3. Use the special valve wrench to unscrew the outer valve body by turning it counter clockwise. Note: If you don’t have the special valve wrench, simply take a pair of channel lock pliers, grab the outer circumference of the valve flange and gently break loose.  Be careful not to damage the inflatable material. 
  4. Completely remove the outer valve body by hand. When removing the outer valve body, ensure you maintain the position of the inner nut portion with respect to the hole in the fabric. 
  5. Continue to hold tight onto the inner valve body. Do not allow the nut to move inside the tube or it will be very difficult to reposition it when installing the new valve. 
  6.  After the valve is out, visually check the inner nut to be sure that it is not cracked or damaged. Note:  If damaged, you need to replace the inner valve body (refer to the “Replacing the inner valve nut portion” procedure listed below).  If no damage, continue to the next step.
  7. Apply a thin film of water around the top surface of the fabric to act as a lubricant while tightening the valve. 
  8. Insert and hand-tighten the new valve as far as you can. Be careful when starting the new valve into the nut to ensure the valve and nut are not cross threaded. 
  9.  Tighten the valve halves with the special wrench or insert a needle nose pliers into the valve with the tips of the pliers on opposite sides of the cross brace.
  10.  Tighten until the valve halves are snug against the fabric. CAUTION:  Do not over tighten.  Over-tightening can crack the valve nut, causing air leakage. 

Installation is complete.  The product can be re-inflated and used immediately.

Replacing the inner valve nut portion: (Time required:  15 minutes over 24 hrs)

Tools required:

  • PVC fabric
  • Scissors
  • Vinyl cement (waterproof glue)
  • Brush to apply the vinyl cement
  • Decal applicator/plastic paint scraper

If the nut portion of the valve needs to be replaced in an existing product, it will take a few more steps.  Complete the step-by-step instructions above until step 6, then continue with the following steps:

  1. After removing the outer valve body, make two cuts at opposite sides of the hole in the fabric just long enough to get the inner nut out of the inside of the tube.
  2. Install the new nut into the tube and move it slightly to the side.
  3. Cut a ring of PVC fabric with an outside diameter approximately 1” greater than the outermost edge of your slits. Note:  PVC material is provided in the repair kit supplied with your product.
  4. Cut a center hole inside the PVC fabric the same size as the original hole in your inflatable.
  5. Glue the ring of material onto the tube, lining up the center hole with the original hole in the tube. Note:  Use the vinyl cement provided in the repair kit (preferred) or any waterproof glue.
  6. Use a decal applicator or plastic paint scraper to rub down and work out any air bubbles. Start from the middle and rub towards the edge of the patch.
  7. LET DRY FOR 24 HOURS.
  8. Carefully slide the inner nut back into position, aligning it with the hole in the inflatable.
  9. Return to step 7 of the “Replacing a Halkey Roberts Valve” replacement procedure above.