Thanks for the advice, Tom.
I didn't re-use the big grips, I installed new ones. I read on N1LO's site
that (according to the manufacturer) you can only unwind and re-use a big
grip one time, and only if it's within 3 months of installation.
I like your idea of reforming the big grip. Also, it would have helped if I
had followed the instructions and wrapped the big grip from the second mark
instead of the first.
Thanks again and 73,
Tom, NU7J
----- Original Message -----
From: <n4kg@juno.com>
To: <TOWERTALK@CONTESTING.COM>; <nu7j@hotmail.com>
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 6:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] BIG GRIP INSTALLATION PROCEDURE AND GUY INSULATOR
QUESTION
> Hmmm.... I'm not sure if I would trust USED grips on a new
> installation where they had been unwound and then rewound...
> I buy my grips NEW by the box, directly from Preformed Line Products
> in Ohio.
>
> Regarding end caps, I believe that is primarily to prevent problems
> with ICE sliding down LONG guys. I have 7 guyed tower that have
> been up for 10 to 20 years with NO end caps (in Alabama...NO ice).
>
> I use the smaller insulators (1.25 X 2.?? inchses) with my 3/16
> inch guys. I 'reform' the preform guy grip radius using a rubber
> mallot and piece of wood after wrapping the ends together for
> a couple of turns around the colored markers.
>
> (YES, I know this is NOT what the manufacturer says...
> BUT, none of my grips have failed and all of my towers
> are still standing.)
>
> Tom N4KG
>
> On Thu, 19 Sep 2002 "Tom Sykes" <nu7j@hotmail.com> writes:
> >
> > I'm in the process of installing guy wires on Rohn 25. This is my
> > first
> > experience using Big Grips. Best thing since sliced bread!
> >
> > My first question is whether it's really necessary to install some
> > sort of
> > holding device over the ends of the big grip, and if so, what? I
> > know that
> > they make a special cone shaped device for this purpose, because the
> > used
> > guys I purchased had them installed. I removed some of them and
> > re-used
> > them, they work great. I read some TowerTalk archives that
> > suggested using
> > tie wraps for this purpose. I tried that but the tie wraps slip
> > right off.
> > Is it OK to use scotch 33 or 88 tape for this purpose (with or
> > without tie
> > wraps underneath?) I cannot imagine a scenario that would cause the
> > big
> > grip to become detached, at least not in the mild climate here in
> > western
> > WA.
> >
> > Second question: I purchased guy insulators from Texas Towers. I
> > did not
> > specify the size when I made the purchase and they didn't ask the
> > question
> > so I assumed there was just one standard size. The insulators are
> > much
> > smaller than expected. (For that price, I was expecting them to be
> > the size
> > of an ostrich egg!). The insulators are too small for the big
> > grips, as
> > evidenced by the fact that the insulator slips out of position. I
> > tried to
> > keep the guy wire pulled tight enough to hold the insulators in
> > position but
> > after installing the first set of guy wires to the anchors, I
> > noticed that
> > some of the insulators were offset a bit (i.e. the guy wire is not
> > resting
> > in the insulator groove as it should). I am concerned that the
> > insulators
> > could break. I suppose that would not be a catastrophic failure
> > because the
> > two thimbles would still be holding the guy wire if the insulator
> > broke.
> > What are your opinions regarding the use of small insulators? Is
> > there a
> > technique for holding the insulators in position during the
> > installation
> > stage? (Have I discovered yet another use for duct tape?)
> >
> > Thanks and 73,
> >
> > Tom, NU7J
> >
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
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> > http://messenger.msn.com
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
>
>
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