microcender tension cable

jeff_r

jeff_r

Location
BC.
that little wire between the cam and the body of the microcender. Mine frayed and came loose. I think I know what its for, but do you really need it?
 
no pic, but its called a 'tension cable' in the sherrill catalogue - they sell replacements. I thought it was a keeper too, but perhaps it helps hold the cam open or slightly closed when not pulled on?
 
is there a spring mounted in with the cam that holds the tension?

If being used on a rock climbing big wall, a person would be up the creek without a paddle if he/she dropped the cam. I believe that if it is spring loaded otherwise, then that is just a keeper, however this is armchair observation.
 
I had the same problem 2 months ago. The cable frayed and was in turn fraying my lanyard. I bought the replacemnt kit. You get 3 cables and the alan wrenches to remove/install the cable. Slick and Easy. A great buy and now I am ready for when it happens again!

Eric
 
The cable serves two purposes, a keeper and a spring. Consider that it would be less expensive to use a small nylon cord like they do on the shaft instead of the cable that must be anchored on each end with a set screw. So they must think it's important to have some spring action there.

Like nick said, "I'd replace it. It's like the spring to encourage it to clamp down on the rope."
 
I guess that your cable is different than my keeper on my Gibbs. I have a spring separate from my keeper.

How does that cable tension the cam?
 
I modded mine for the Doublerope walker set up
Without the cable, it slides up the rope alot better so I took it off for that sole reason.

I have a freind who uses one with out the tensioning cable for his lanyard.
He thinks its safe so long as he has his weight on it.
I told him he is crazy.
 
Mine frayed and broke probably 6 yrs ago. I've been using it without ever since with zero problems.

However, if you want to repalce it, try using a lenth of weed whip line, it's cheap and effective. I learned that on TB I think.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Of course the cable is a spring, it just happens to be a tether as well.

[/ QUOTE ]+1. Why would Petzl go to the trouble of stocking, handling, cutting (special tooling) steel cable, drilling and threading two holes and stocking and installing two set screws to secure the cable if they just needed a tether? Why wouldn't they just use the same nylon they tether the shaft with.
 
[ QUOTE ]
+1. Why would Petzl go to the trouble of stocking, handling, cutting (special tooling) steel cable, drilling and threading two holes and stocking and installing two set screws to secure the cable if they just needed a tether? Why wouldn't they just use the same nylon they tether the shaft with.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just inspected my Microcender. The twisted strand cable seems to function as both tether and spring but the question is why is it needed as a spring? When you install it on rope for SRT use and load up the ascender your weight forces the cam down onto the rope, the "spring" does nothing. Maybe if you're using it as a lanyard adjuster the spring effect has some benefit. I don't think the spring has any functional effect that makes the Microcender more safe when used as an ascender.
-moss
 
I have had some experiences where even with the cable, the Microcender has slid down a vertical rope under certain slack conditions.

However, even that could be a valuable feature, esp. for a rescue. One technique they sometimes use is, well actually a Rescuescender, is to let the rope clamp slide down the rope, to grip the rope near the victim to pull him up. But...

Petzl and others that use a cable would not go to the expense the cable represents if it is nothing more than a tether.
 
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