[TowerTalk] Slack Crank Up Cable

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Ned:

I have replaced the cables on my HDX 589mdpl three times.
Slack on the pull down cable is a common issue after replacing the cables.
The slack is only evident when the tower is fully up. (obviously)
Solution:
When the tower is fully extended: 1.) loosen the cable nut holding the pull 
down cable on the drum 2.) pull the slack in on the pull down cable using a 
come-a-long, (or by hand) and 3.) wrap the slack tightly on the cable drum 
and re-tighten the cable bolt on the drum.
Sometimes this is required a few times over the first year to fully 
stabilize the cable slack.
I must confess I do not know why this happens, but I suspect it may be 
because of stretch in the lift cables.

de steve ve6wz.
http://www.qsl.net/ve6wz/intro.htm

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Ned K1GU" <thewalruswaspaul at bellsouth.net>
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 6:18 PM
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Slack Crank Up Cable

> Tower:   US Tower HDX 589 Crank Up.  Vintage 2004, up for 9 years.
>
> Issue:  There is so much slack in the pull down cable that the cable turns 
> are coming off the drum when the tower is extended (fully raised or nearly 
> so.) This allows the cable turns to overlap on the drum when the tower is 
> retracted (lowered.)  The spring loaded eyebolt at the cable end attached 
> to the bottom of the top section has reached its maximum travel.  That is 
> to say, the eye of the eyebolt is right up against the steel bracket 
> attached to the top section so the spring cannot provide any additional 
> tension.  (There is a nut on the threaded shaft adjacent to the eye.)
>
> History:  The pull down cable has always been slack since the tower was 
> first installed.  Periodic adjustment of the nut that compresses the 
> spring(s) has been necessary to keep reasonable tension on the pull down 
> cable.  There is no evidence of slipping at the Crosby Clamp.
>
> Help!  Has anybody encountered this problem?  What was the fix?  Can the 
> pull down cable length be safely adjusted (shortened) by a layman (me) by 
> pulling it through the Crosby clamp?  If a professional is recommended, 
> who?
>
> Comments Solicited from UST owners and those familiar with UST motorized 
> crank ups (HDX 589 MDPL, HDX 572 MDPL.)  Please, no WAGs (wild-ass 
> guesses.)  -:) Send direct comments or questions to me using my call at 
> arrl net.  You know the format.
>
> Ned, K1GU
> East TN
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