"Lach and JoAnn Ohman" wrote in message ...
We recently re-commissioned a winch that had been operated successfully
for years using armored tow-target cable. That being difficult to find
these days, we are using regular stranded cable and are having trouble with
the cable piling up at the center (width-wise)of the drum, then slipping off
to the side causing slack loops of cable that eventually grow enough to whip
out beyond the circumference of the drum, impacting adjacent structure. The
winch has never had a level-wind mechanism.
It would seem that the stranded cable has less tendency than the smooth,
armored cable to slip off of the high spot at the center of the drum and lay
into the lower, edge areas of the drum, which would result in a more level
winding of the cable on the drum.
It looks like a level-wind will be necessary, or a return to the old
armored cable.
Any suggestions?

Lach Ohman


Lach,

I found the following reference in the German Aeroclub's (DAeC)rules
and regulations regarding the technical aspects of building a winch:

"Hinweis: Eine Spulvorrichtung ist erforderlich, wenn das Verhältnis
von Trommelbreite zum Abstand zwischen Trommel und Rollen kleiner als
1:18 ist."

Translation:
Note: A level winding mechanism is required if the ratio between the
drum's width and the distance between the drum and fair-lead rollers
is less than 1:18.

This may sound complicated but makes sense: if you have a wide drum
and a short distance, the cable will pile up in the center. It will
not deflect to the sides by itself. On the other hand, if you have a
narrow drum and a long distance, the cable will fill up the available
space more evenly.

I don't know if using the Dyneema type rope will change your situation
or not.

Hope this helps

Ulrich Neumann
Libelle 'GM'