petibonvm
Active Member
How do you adjust the rigging tension with a tensiometer? Do you measure the cable diameter, or find the maximum load for 1x19 single-strand cable (6 mm diameter = 29 kN ?) and tighten it to 20%? Thank you for your help.
Use tensiometer ?
- Thread starter petibonvm
- Start date
Roberto
Well-Known Member
If you measure stretch over 2000mm, 1mm equals 5% of the cable breaking strain.
petibonvm
Active Member
Thanks, but I'm not sure about the exact length down to the millimeter. That's why I'm thinking of using a tensiometer.
PetiteFleur
Well-Known Member
You can buy them for your cable diameter. Not cheap but work well.
petibonvm
Active Member
The sailing club can lend me one.
mjcp
Well-Known Member
Keep an eye open on ebay - the Loos rig tension meters do pop up quite often and sometimes at sensible prices (£90-£150) - just watch for location (saw one at a great price, but located in Aus! Shipping almost doubled it) and dimensions - there are multiple versions for different wire size / rod rigging etc etc.
Tension Gauges - Loos & Co., Inc.
Tension Gauges - Loos & Co., Inc.
VicS
Well-Known Member
Use a rigging tension gauge such as https://www.westmarine.com/loos-company-rig-tension-gauges-P002_065_001_504.html
Follow the instructions for the gauge.
See also this Selden pdf, especially the method described for setting the tension based on stretch. https://support.seldenmast.com/files/595-540-E.pdf
You dont need to know the length of your rigging to use this method.
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ithet
Well-Known Member
With the simple one I have, you deflect the wire a set amount, and the "spring" measures the "pull" on a numerical scale. The table on the gauge then gives you the tension equivalent to that reading for the cable size.. Yes I set to a percentage of the breaking strain although I find the gauge more useful to balance out port and starboard load.
The Selden manual describes the "stretch" method, to align a 2m rule along the slackened stay, taped at one end. mark the 1m point on the stay, then measure the distance the mark has moved when you tighten.
support.seldenmast.com/files/595-540-E.pdf