What is Halkey Roberts Valve?

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There are so many parts that make up an inflatable boat, and one of them is the valve system. Inflatable boats are able to hold so much pressure within because of their valve systems. These systems hold in so much pressure and stuff air inside without letting out any air whatsoever. Of all the boat valve systems on sale today, Halkey Roberts valves are rated as one of the best in the market.

Halkey Roberts valves are one-way check valves that work well for almost any inflatable boat design; that is why manufacturers and boaters prefer them

Types of Halkey Roberts Valves

There are different types of Halkey Robert Valves, but they have two broad specifications, namely the One Way Check and the High pressure valves. We explain both of them below.

High Pressure Valves

A high pressure valve is used to maintain boat buoyancy. This one is commonly used for larger boats. Halkey Roberts high pressure valves are ideal for boats with 4-4.5 keels, a high pressure floor of 8.5-11.5, and SUPs of 10-20. As great as this valve can be, the trapped pressure will try to force its way out through the boat’s weak spot.

Many boaters complain that the high pressure valve they use creates different problems for their boats but not Halkey Roberts high pressure valves. Regardless of whether your boat is made of Hypalon or PVC, it will hold the pressure in. Even if the pressure is much higher than the recommended PSI, this valve will not disappoint.

One Way Check Valves

Then we have the One Way Check valves. A one-way check valve is designed to let in air but not to let it out. They act as locking trappers that keep pressure in, so when you pump your inflatable boat with air, the valve lock is activated to keep the air inside the tubes and not let it out.

Now let us review the different Halkey Roberts Valve models available in the market.

Fill and Deflate Valve (690NSBVG)

A Fill and Deflate valve is a compact valve for sealing inflatable boats. This valve is very easy to operate and actually has a mechanical design. It has a double leak seal protection which is another huge plus for boaters looking for valves that have extra seals.

This valve is available in white and gray colors and allows you to inflate or deflate your boat with ease. The build material is a combination of stainless steel and acetal.

Hi-Flo 984 Relief Valve

The 984 hi-flow relief valve is different from the fill and deflates valve, but it serves the same purpose. Hi-Flo has escape slides and can cover a large surface which makes it an ideal valve for large boats. The anti obstruction makes it easy for you to pack the valve even if you are pumping in the air. This valve has different spring pressure sizes and is built with aluminum and stainless steel.

Automatic Valve Relief (1080)

Another Halkey Roberts boat valve is that 1080 automatic Valve with a screw-in design. This one is designed for high pressure locks and is ideal for boats, including barriers, slides, and rafts. This valve is one of the most demanded models because of its high quality.

Each valve is factory-tested for precise cracking and is also calibrated. It guarantees the user a high flow rate that the other two do not offer. The 1080 relief valve is available in white only and built with stainless steel and aluminum.

How does the Valve work?

Many boaters do not know how a Halkey Roberts valve work, but it is not difficult to figure out. All the models have a special pushpin inside with two positions for downward and upward movements. If you install it and press it downward, air will escape, but if you push it up, it will pop and lock air inside the tubes. If it is left in this position, air will not come out, and the boat will remain afloat.

So users are advised to always check to ensure that the pushpin is in an upward position before they sail their boats. Also, before you pump your boat, ensure that the pin is in an upward (lock) position before you start inflating your boat; otherwise, you will be losing air as you pump. Inflation should continue until the boat is hard and there are no soft spots. Then the moment you remove the pump, the valve will lock the air in.

The same process in reverse should be followed when you want to deflate the boat. You just push down the pushpin and let air escape through the opening until it is fully deflated.

How to repair your Halkey Roberts Valve?

If you discover that the valve is faulty, you can fix it if it is not completely bad. The valve has three parts, namely the base, the middle that holds the pushpin, and the valve and the screws that hold the valve in place. There is also a cap that protects the pushpin from being pressed. Below we review common problems that may affect your Halkey Roberts Valve and how to address them.

If the Pushpin is pressed downward

This is a common problem associated with this valve, and if yours is in this shape, it will not hold in air, so what do you do?

Just push the pin back up, and everything will be fine. Many boaters forget that the pin has to be in the right position even when they are pumping in the air, so once they remove the pump and the boat begins to deflate immediately, they fear that something terrible has happened to their boat, but that is not the case.

This is why it is important to always double-check the pushpin during and after you pump your boat. You also need to make sure that the cap is in its proper place at all times. An improperly placed cap will leave the pushpin exposed, and you may push it down without even knowing it.

Difficulty in inflating the boat

Do you find it hard to inflate your boat, or you can’t do it at all? Check the pushpin to see if it is closed. Most inflatable boats will not inflate if the pushpin is closed. The solution to this is simple. The moment you remove the pump, the air will begin to gush out before you can even close the pushpin.

This is an anomaly that some boaters have to deal with, but it is not without a solution. There are special HR adapters that hold pushpins down during inflation. If you use this adapter, it will remedy the problem but if it doesn’t work for you, go for an adapter with a crosspiece. This type of HR adapter will force the pushpin down when inserted.

Filthy Middle or Base screw

If the middle or base screw of the valve is filthy, it will not function as well as it should. This is why you should endeavor to clean your screw as often as you should. Due to the water and grime your boat is subjected to, it is possible for the valve to get dirty, and the screws will be affected. Debris and grime prevent the valve from locking in the air, but with a thorough cleaning procedure, it should work just fine again.

Loose Middle or Base Screw

Filth is not the only thing that can affect your valve’s screws. If they are loose, this can cause a problem as well. To resolve this, you will need a screwdriver. Just tighten the middle region of the base until your screw can go no further. But this is not all. You need to ensure that the screw is tight enough and not letting in air.

Test it by spraying soapy water on the valve and checking for bubbles. If you see floating bubbles, then that means that the screw is not tight enough so tighten it some more.

Cross thread middle or base screw

If none of the above methods work, it may be that the screw is cross-threaded. This is a problem that cannot be fixed, so replacement is the only option. Replace the valve with a new one that is of the same specification.

Final Thoughts

Halkey Roberts valves are widely used because they are easy to use and highly durable. If you must replace your boat’s valve, make sure you go for the exact same spec.