Ronin Battery Powered Ascender

treebing said:
can you make a video of you using this? I was going to get one and go down that path but I saw a video where you had to hold tail weight in order to ascend and I thought that looked tedious and not worth the effort. also a good quality cordless drill isn't cheap at all. have you figured out an ascent that doesn't require constant tail weight?
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Yes, that was my video I think. I have solved the issue of having to hold tension on the tail by making a small wheel that swings on a frame and rides against the rope in the shiv on the output side. The wheel is held in tight with a short bungee and this keeps the rope tight all the way around. It climbs on high speed now steadily with no problems and no holding onto the tail at all. This frame swings up out of the way to insert or remove the rope, so the device is still quickly mid-line attachable. I am going to make another video as soon as I get a free moment and will also get some photos. I have guests visiting right now but hope to climb again next day or so. It is true a good heavy duty cordless is not cheap but still a LOT less than $1250. or $3600. for a Wraptor.
 
KrisJennings said:
. . . There will be two options for the batteries priced around $200/$250us.

They are designed specifically for the Ronin so yes you would have to purchase them from Ronin, but not sure you could find cheaper lithium Ion Batteries. I wanted a lithium for my snowmobile because it was lighter, was quoted $350 for that option. . .
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$200 to $250 apiece, just for the batteries? That is more than the entire cost for a heavy DeWalt cordless drill with 4ah battery and charger. And any big hardware store has spare batteries for them if you need another. I don't mean to sound like I am knocking the Ronin, and I do think it is a great alternative to the Wraptor if one needs an off-the-shelf powered ascender that is a rated device approved for professional use. And the fact that it is cordless and much quieter than a Wraptor makes it very attractive to rec climbing. I am just trying to generate discussion and compare alternatives, especially for those of us who are not pros and who fight a limited budget.
 
All good Burrapeg, thats why I am hitting the forums to get the word out. Brutal honesty and open discussion. This is the first device from Ronin, a small version and hopefully cheaper is in the works. Nice to have choices in the market but one size definitely doesn't not fit all. As an example, I painted a historic water tower where I had to climb up the ladder inside and rig ropes out through small holes and then climb back down, then climb up the rope a 100' before I could start working, I did this 3-4 times in one day. My body was beat up to say the least. I could have painted this tower in half the time and with alot less pain. I just finished window cleaning on a building and they have an elevator, no need for the ronin, body still hurts thou from all the scubin. Keep the feedback coming. Hopefully I can get some ascenders out in the field and start getting honest reviews and videos.
 
KrisJennings said:
You can use different Climbing rope, but you should be using an 11.m with very low elongation for best performance.
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I've gone to using a retired Velocity static line for the wraptor. No problem having a dedicated line for the ascender imo. Lowering it involves the end of the rope tied to another rope--and using a fork wide enough for that knot to slide through!

I'd like a battery ascender that would fit in a suitcase. Would love to trial one to get up in the 80'-120' trees we have here in NC, and OH. ;)
 
treebing said:
can you make a video of you using this? I was going to get one and go down that path but I saw a video where you had to hold tail weight in order to ascend and I thought that looked tedious and not worth the effort. also a good quality cordless drill isn't cheap at all. have you figured out an ascent that doesn't require constant tail weight?
Click to expand...

In the factory configuration it works just fine one handed.
 
Tree climbers don't use fall-arrest systems and dynamic rope, rather or climbing gear is for holding us in position, with low stretch ropes.


How does gravity descent work?

I couldn't tell if you were holding the chainsaw with one hand, and if so, if out of necessity.
 
Weighs a little less than 9 pounds. This is the 20v model that is about $150. for the bare saw. I already had the drill with two batteries and the charger, so it is nice that they sell the saw by itself if desired. I am very happy with it so far. Battery life (4ah) is very impressive.
 
treebing said:
can you make a video of you using this? I was going to get one and go down that path but I saw a video where you had to hold tail weight in order to ascend and I thought that looked tedious and not worth the effort. also a good quality cordless drill isn't cheap at all. have you figured out an ascent that doesn't require constant tail weight?
Click to expand...
I would have thought with your mechanical and engineering mindset, you would have picked up a rollgliss by now and modded it up treebing style. ;)
I agree with @Santiago Casanova. The original rope works great using it as an ascent line. And as he has mentioned in other threads, the device can be used in multiple configurations.
Love mine!!
As mentioned by @Burrapeg, the dewalt drill is a beast and also has many uses.
 
can't find any roll gliss 500. must be an old model. cheapest I found on eBay was $700. for a roll gliss 500. looks like I missed out on that project
 
treebing said:
can't find any roll gliss 500. must be an old model. cheapest I found on eBay was $700. for a roll gliss 500. looks like I missed out on that project
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Occasionally they turn up cheaper than that on eBay, and they are often still in new condition and unused. The r500 was common some years ago, now replaced by the r550. I think mine was made in 2011. Check on eBay every so often and I am sure sooner or later another will turn up at an affordable price. Good luck finding one, Treebing.
 
I got the 500, but haven't used it yet (have a wraptor and no time). Ebay was about $200 or something, and $100ish for shipping.


Is there an Ebay notification service?
 
southsoundtree said:
Is there an Ebay notification service?
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Go to lists->saved searchs
Enter your search terms
Save and make sure that new lines status is set to subscribe

I've bought several, let's use the adjective interesting tools and pieces of equipment for great deals by snagging buy-it-nows almost instantly cause of saved search notifications!

Don't forget to set its status back to unsubscribe once you've bought one or it'll email you forever...
 
Cereal_Killer said:
Go to lists->saved searchs
Enter your search terms
Save and make sure that new lines status is set to subscribe

I've bought several, let's use the adjective interesting tools and pieces of equipment for great deals by snagging buy-it-nows almost instantly cause of saved search notifications!

Don't forget to set its status back to unsubscribe once you've bought one or it'll email you forever...
Click to expand...
I do the same thing and it works very well in my favor
 
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