[TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589

[Bob K6UJ]

Steve,

I am with you on this.  Pre lube is more of a corrosion/rust inhibiter than a lubricant.  Its value lies in the fact that it wicks into the inner 
strands and will prevent rusting if applied on a regular schedule.  It doesnt leave an oily film on the outside of the cable.
This is the stuff to use and not grease or oil which leave the outside of the cables oily and they will collect dust and dirt like crazy, not good at all,
plus their penetration into the inner strands is minimal.  The way I look at it do not apply Pre Lube  and replace your cables in 5 to 6 years max.  (I have done 
this twice on my towers) or regularly maintain your cable with a Pre Lube treatment and go for a long, long, time.  I have 12 years on my HDX589 cables using Pre Lube
and still no signs of rust.  A local ham friend, KD6T, has over 20 years on his tower cables using Pre lube and they show no rusting.  


Bob
K6UJ


On Jun 13, 2013, at 8:41 AM, Steve Dyer wrote:

> K7LXC breaks the prime directive for lubricating crank-up cables. He sells Prelube 6 on his site and recommends using it. And yes, any professional user of wire rope always lubricates their cables on a regular maintenance/inspection schedule.
> It baffles me why anyone would not lube the cable with the *proper* lubricant since the cable is THE critical link in a crank-up.
> It's a testament to how well the cable holds up that more failures haven't occurred. That and it's way over-sized to the load.
> 73,
> Steve
> W1SRD
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: "john at kk9a.com" <john at kk9a.com>
> To: towertalk at contesting.com 
> Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 7:12 AM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
> 
> 
> Lubricating the cable does go against the K7LXC prime directive. US towers
> recommends replacing the cable every three years.
> 
> Most wire rope is lubricated during manufacturing. Lubrication does two
> things:
> 
> Reduces friction as the individual wires move over each other.
> 
> Provides corrosion protection and lubrication in the core and inside wires
> and on the exterior surfaces.
> 
> If I owned a crank-up tower I would keep the cables lubricated and only
> change them if there was noticeable corrosion or broken strands .
> 
> John KK9A
> 
> 
> 
> To:     Bryan Swadener <bswadener at yahoo.com>
> Subject:     Re: [TowerTalk] How to apply lube to HDX589
> From:     Andre VanWyk <kr5dx at yahoo.com>
> Date:     Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:45:37 -0400
> 
> 
> I am missing something here as US Tower advises against lubricating cables.
> 
> What are you gaining by lubricating cable? I my opinion if a un-lubricated
> galvanized cable shows signs of rust, it is time to replace it.
> 
> 73's
> NJ0F
> 
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