Tension Gauge for 1/2" wire

[Ian]

Search for "Fulmer Tension Meter". It is similar to the Dillon.
Ian

[Dennis1]

Ian - Thank you so much for the pointer !! I found the Fulmer tension meter at the A. Noble & Son Ltd site (Top match on Google). It's strange that it's under the Electronics products. I wonder how many tension gauges that I've failed to find if they are likewise located under electronics sections ...

Anyway, I couldn't find a price on the site so I've E-Mailed them for some info. I'll let ya know what I find. I'm hoping it's a bit cheaper than the model that looks similar to it. I'm guessing that this one will be out of my price range, but we'll see. Again, thanks for the info on this !!

[Ian]

Dennis
I don't know your land of abode. Nobles are an Australian Company. If you are in the US, exchange rate should be "cheap as chips" (Crikey! ). There is a Nobles near me in Rockhampton (Queensland Aus.) although the one in Sydney no doubt has more stock. If you need any assistance let me know.
Ian

[Dennis1]

Ian - I'm in Jacksonville, Florida in the U.S. so I'm hoping from your note that perhaps it's not too expensive. I did receive a response back on my E-Mail to the Australian company and they forwarded it to the main office, which I believe was in England, to reply back to me since I'm in a different country from their store. I'll let everyone know what info I receive back from the main office once they respond.

I sure appreciate the kind offer for assistance. I'm just trying to find something out there that will let me get the tension for my 1/2 inch upper shrouds. If you run across anything that may fit the bill, please feel free to post it here and I'll gladly check it out. Thanks for the upbeat reply !!

[Dennis1]

Well, after waiting patiently for 2 weeks I replied to both the Australian reseller and the UK Supplier asking for a response. I'm still hunting for a tension gauge that will work with 1/2 inch wire line. I'll keep everyone updated on my progress and am happy to run down any leads that anyone may offer. It's odd not finding anything on this.

Again, I appreciate all the feedback that I've already received and look forward to more comments, notes or suggestions. Brion offered some wisdom on the dynamic tuning, but I'm concerned with the higher tension on the upper shrouds that I'll either have too much tension or as likely will set the lines too loose because I don't think they will flop around at the higher tension like lower shrouds would when under too little tension. It's tough being wet behind the ears

[Dennis1]

Today I received a response from Ian Hunt of the UK Fulmer company. Since a measurement of 1/2 inch equates to 12.7 mm, the Fulmer Rope Tension gauge model 3C will work to check the tension of 1/2 inch wire line. Unfortunately, the pricing for this model is $1,050.00 Great Britain Pounds = $2,065.55 United States Dollars.


Alas, my hunt for something a bit more affordable continues. I don't need great precision, just something to get me reasonably close. Any and all suggestions are welcome !!

[Bob Pingel]

Dennis-

You have not mentioned your rig configuration, but I am assuming that you have a double spreader rig. I assume the wire from the tip of the lower spreader to the deck is 1/2", and the wire from tip of the lower to the masthead and the wire to the root of of the upper spreader is smaller? If those upper wires are 3/8" or smaller, you can measure them with Loos gauge -- their tension will vary directly with the big V1.

My V1s are 9/16", my D2 are 3/8", as are the V2/D3s -- I measure tension just above the lower spreader and then go sailing to do a real tune.

Do you have Brion's tuning video, it may help you. The tension via a gauge is just a ballpark adjustment, you need to sail the boat and see how the rig reacts (this is dynamic tuning).

Bob