[TowerTalk] Which type of cable for a crank-up tower?

Bob K6UJ k6uj at pacbell.net
Fri Dec 2 15:26:03 PST 2011


I agree 100% with NOT using grease on the cables.

There is a parallel with using grease on drive chains that are exposed to the weather.
Just like on cables, the grease attracts dust and grit form the air and works it way inside the chain bearing surfaces
causing accelerated wear and rusting.  
I am a competitive bicyclist and never use grease on my racing bike chains.  Standard practice for bike chain 
maintenance is to use one of the available spray on chain lubes.  They are formulated to wick their way in to the inner
surfaces providing lubrication and inhibit rusting.  The outside does not become oily and sticky to attract dust and grit.  
A chain will last at least three times longer if lubed using one of these products.   Prelube for cables basically provides the same protection/lubrication.  

Bob
K6UJ


On Dec 2, 2011, at 2:22 PM, K7LXC at aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 12/2/2011 11:40:47 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
> gm3sek at ifwtech.co.uk writes:
> 
>>>   What I've learned is that you don't want to  use a  heavy grease 
> because
>>> it traps water and contaminants  and will cause the cable to  rust from 
> the
>>> inside out. Also  the grease will attract particulates and the  grease 
> will
>>> turn  out to be somewhat abrasive.
> 
>> Now which should I follow,  Steve:  that advice, or the LXC Prime 
> Directive to do what the  manufacturer says?
> 
>    Ah. The real manufacturer is the wire rope  manufacturer so you should 
> follow their advice. My experience with them is to  use a light lube such as 
> PreLube 6. There are other applications and suitable  materials so the 
> ultimate choice is up to you. That's the nice thing about TT  - you can decide 
> whose advice is worthwhile and whose isn't. 
> 
>    And - as always - the advice here is worth  what you pay for it - hi.
> 
> Cheers,
> Steve      K7LXC
> 
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