[TowerTalk] pulling guy lines tightly

[Dick Green WC1M]

Well, this must be one of those YMMV situations.

All I can say is that on EHS near the 10% target tension, my Loos reads
about 30% high compared with a Dillon dynamometer. At the low end of the
scale, it's off by about 50%. At the high end of the scale, it's off by
about 20%. Undoubtedly one of the gauges is off.

W8JI conducted experiments that showed the Loos gauge reads quite
differently depending on the type of material measured. If anyone is
interested in his analysis, search on "LOOS AND W8JI" in the TowerTalk
archives.

73, Dick WC1M

> -----Original Message-----
> From: K7LXC at aol.com [mailto:K7LXC at aol.com]
> Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2008 9:25 AM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com; wc1m at msn.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] pulling guy lines tightly
> 
> 
> In a message dated 9/13/2008 6:34:15 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
> towertalk-request at contesting.com writes:
> 
> >  5. I also used a Loos tension gauge from Champion radio.  This tool
> is
> indispensible for tensioning guys. A great feature is that it  can be
> snapped
> onto the cable during tensioning rather than having to be  placed in
> line,
> like you would have to do with a dynamometer. An in line  gauge is OK
> when
> you're doing the initial tensioning, but isn't practical  after you
> install
> the turnbuckles. A Loos gauge can be used at any time.  Loos gauges
> are
> actually made for stainless steel wire rope used in  boating, so the
> calibration of the dial isn't correct for EHS. I think  there's a
> conversion
> chart in the manual, or maybe K7LXC publishes one. I  used a Dillon
> Dynamometer in line with the first cable to calibrate my Loos  gauge.
> My
> numbers were a little different than the manual or 'LXC's but not  too
> far
> off.
> 
>     While the Loos Tension Gauge was designed for  sailboat rigging
> (7x19
> stainless steel primarily), it's perfectly acceptable  for other wires
> including
> EHS. What happens is that as you put more tension on  any cable it
> becomes
> more rod-like. At that point the Loos doesn't care what  the
> particular material
> is, it just measures the tension of the stiff  wire.
> 
>     I put several different 3/16" guy materials  (e.g. EHS, galvanized
> and
> Phillystran) in series and measured 400# with a  Dillon Tensionometer.
> At this
> point they are all at 400#. The Loos measured  within a couple of
> percent of
> the Dillon reading on each of the  aforementioned guy material. It's
> measured
> directly with the chart on the Loos  and there is no need for any
> conversion.
> 
> Cheers,
> Steve    K7LXC
> Champion Radio Products
> _www.championradio.com_ (http://www.championradio.com)
> Cell: 206-890-4188
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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