This is Aurora Tang's method of sealing up her balloons. I think its the best I've seen. It was developed during a project to document Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty with the Getty Institute. She has used it extensively for landscape photography.
1) put a cable tie around the balloon neck, holding it in place around the helium nozzle.
2) when balloon is full, pull the balloon neck off nozzle while tightening cable tie.
3) run balloon neck through steel ring and fold back on itself, wrap another cable tie around doubled back balloon neck and tighten.
4) add another cable tie.
These parts are included in the PLOTS balloon kit, only with re-usable cable ties.
4 Comments
This is awesome-- i read about Aurora's work a couple years ago, as I was just starting to balloon map. It's wonderful that you've been able to connect with her!
Reply to this comment...
Log in to comment
I've used 1.5" keyrings instead of solid steel, and it held up to a strong wind and a dunking(!) in Lake Pontchartrain. Shannon has not told me what happened to that camera. but the keyring held fine, and i imagine it is lighter than the steel ring.
Thanks for the picture and post, though.
Reply to this comment...
Log in to comment
Cool. The ring is definitely overkill, but it does work great. I'd really like to move to a smooth nylon ring if possible, but haven't found one the right shape. I think the key ring would make me nervous, but glad to hear it worked.
Reply to this comment...
Log in to comment
@Eustatic's update: https://publiclab.org/notes/eustatic/09-16-2014/use-of-velcro-ties-in-balloon-mapping
Reply to this comment...
Log in to comment
Login to comment.