On Nov 29, 2:57 pm, "Bill Daniels" bildan@comcast-dot-net wrote:
We actually tested the power required to retrieve Spectra and the starter
motor is way more powerful than needed. Not sure what your problem is at
Lasham.

Derek will answer for himself, but I expect they retrieve against the
pay-out brake on the winch, as per normal operation. If you don't, the
drum will keep turning under its own momentum when the retrieve stops
and you'll get cable everywhere. Not good.


The cost of Spectra is more like three times the cost of steel not 5 times -
I checked the prices this morning. It takes a LOT of power to pull steel
cable across an airfield - I can pull a mile of Spectra with one finger.

We need verifiable data from retrieve winches. Your tests at Lasham are not
verifiable since you did no controlled experiments.

Having been to Lasham myself and talked to people there (though not
yet witnessed the retrieve winch itself operating), I'm perfectly
satisfied that what Derek says about the performance of both UHMWPE
and retrieve winches is correct.


Dan