Istalling Synthetic Winch Line

[Master-Pull]

That may be the case, Amsteel Blue has a max working temp of around 150 degrees Fahrenheit, melting point of 300. The heat guards are necessary for the people who aren't educated as much on the subject, or the ones who winch out under power because they have to or don't know any better.

I am not saying the winch gets hot every time you use it, I am saying that the heat guards are necessary just in case.

-Alex

[opie]

That may be the case, Amsteel Blue has a max working temp of around 150 degrees Fahrenheit, melting point of 300. The heat guards are necessary for the people who aren't educated as much on the subject, or the ones who winch out under power because they have to or don't know any better.

I am not saying the winch gets hot every time you use it, I am saying that the heat guards are necessary just in case.

-Alex

Emphasis added to your message by me...

Then do you not think it would be a good idea to educate your customers on the limitations of the products you sell? Rather than a blanket, false notion, that all winches generate heat.

I can link you to some articles that go into specifics on SK75 and how it handles both ambient heat and cunductive heat if you like. Basically heat does not travel through SK75 at an alarming rate. A section was placed on a hot plate at 70c and the entire section did not heat to 70c. It was found that at 50c you can factor in an 8% derate of the average strength.

Also.. That "heat guard" doesnt stop heat from transferring to the rope. A better approach, if you are concerned about it, would be your LCP rope.

[yyc_ranger_4x4]

So....instead of offering your help to the OP, there's going to be another war about this issue? You're obviously both educated on the use of synthetic lines, and both have some very valid points on the use of synthetic line. The research that you have both done on this subject is obviously immense, and I find it great that you're willing to share it. It's amazing at the expertise on this site (and many others) and the wars that can start from it all. I've been caught up in it in the past, so I'm no angel but it's disheartening to see it happening more and more on various boards.

I agree with you both, I'll use the heat guard when I spool my amsteel blue line onto my 9.5XP (thanks again Martin!), but I also know how I use my winch and don't power out save for taking the tension out of a line so I should never actually need it. However, it's there in case I might. So with that said, how about that for advice for the OP. Install it just in case, and hopefully never need it.

When installing the synthetic line on a winch, you'll most likely need more that 4-5 wraps on the drum...I'll personally be sticking with about 6-7 unless I really need the extra foot or two of lenght and then it will be situation dependant. This is because the synthetic line doesn't bite the drum as well as wire rope, and the extra couple wraps should give it the friction needed to stop it from pulling on the little set screw that holds the end of the line on the drum. There is a cool (and really simple) device out on the net that physically stops you from being able to spool off more than you should, but it takes a little bit of finger work to install it. Here's the link for the install instructions: http://www.muddyoval.com/articles/ge...peretainer.htm. I've made this with nothing more that a scrap piece of 1" tubular webbing sewn together in the middle. It works well, but I have not had a chance to use it on the truck as it is currently sitting in the garage getting a SAS and new suspension.

What ever you do...think it through from start to finish, and even to the point of clean-up. If something doesn't seem right, then it most likely isn't. If it doesn't feel safe, then don't do it. Any second guesses....get a second opinion.

[opie]

yyc, all excellent points and I apologize for going OT. This is an important thing to think about when choosing a line. If you are concerned about your drum getting to hot for SK75, then a better choice would be an aramid fiber like Techonra. Size for size compared to SK75 they are about even with the technora being just a hair weaker and a hair heavier.

Heat Guard may prevent your line from melting to the drum should your drum actually get hot, but it doesnt prevent heat degradation of the line which can start around 122 degrees. But put into context of how SK75 conducts heat, and what actually causes heat bulid-up in a winch drum, its a non issue. These are all points I would expect the "leader in the industry" to convey to their customers.

EDIT: and I did offer my advice to the OP about how to attach his line to his drum. You should pay attention if you choose to mount it with a link to the side of the drum. A side pull could have you running the line over that attachment point and damaging your rope.

[oz97tj]

I don't see it mentioned here, so I'll add this. If your rope has an eye for a bolt, cut it off!!!!!! The bolt, and that eye, will be nothing more than a pressure point that will wear on your line and cut it.

Do as Opie suggested and start the rope across the drum. I like to tape it one just to hold it and make life a little easier. Then start spooling it on. After 8 or 10 wraps, that rope won't go anyway and there won't be anything to cut your line.


The biggest killer of syn rope I've seen is abrasion.

[fishEH]

Thanks for the replies. I will be using the heat gaurd because I don't see any reason NOT to. I'll have to remove the wire cable and get a good look at the drum before I decide on a method.

[oz97tj]

Thanks for the replies. I will be using the heat gaurd because I don't see any reason NOT to. I'll have to remove the wire cable and get a good look at the drum before I decide on a method.

Another thing to consider, when you get the rope off, be sure there are no burrs or anything on it from the cable. It's not a bad idea to take some sand paper and rub the drum down to be sure. Also will need a hawse fairlead or new poly rollers for your existing fairlead.

Regarding the heat shield, short of lowering yourself off a waterfall or something with powering out the winch, you will not generate much heat. As Masterpull stated, improper use will cause heat. If you only spool in under power and pull the rope out manually, you'll not have issues. An abrasion guard is much more useful with rope.

[opie]

Thanks for the replies. I will be using the heat gaurd because I don't see any reason NOT to. I'll have to remove the wire cable and get a good look at the drum before I decide on a method.

Excellent! I wasn't trying to imply you, or anyone, shouldn't use it. Just that it isn't necessary.