SM3120-18D
Page 3 of 6
© Aero-Motive Company Jul-01
SPRING TENSIONING
CAUTION:
Failure to test for adequate spring revolutions can cause spring damage. Hazards or
unsafe practices MAY result in
minor
personal injury or product or property damage.
NOTE: A minimum 2 pre-tension turns is required. Additional turns can added as long as one unused
spring turn remains when cable is completely extended. If entire cable cannot be pulled out,
decrease spring tension until full one turn remains.
All reels require pretensioning turns to spool assembly before connecting free end of working cable. Set
spring tension by turning fully wrapped reel through a specific number of revolutions or turns. Number of
pretension turns depends on application and desired tension.
A minimum of 2 set up turns is needed
for most applications.
Additional tension may be added by repeating above process. Failure to
pretension reel may result in insufficient tension to retract and may shorten spring life.
After cable is installed, apply the extra warning label (35) shipped with the reel, to the insulated cable that
protrudes beyond the cable stop.
CAUTION:
Check to make sure that the cable can still be pulled out without winding the main spring to
the end. If the cable can not be pulled out completely, too many prime turns have been
applied and some will have to be removed. Operating the reel with too many prime turns will
restrict the cable travel and shorten the life of the main spring.
CONNECTING GROUND
The ground connection cable should be as large or larger than the cable installed on the drum. It is
attached to the reel by connecting to the ½” diameter copper rod protruding beyond the junction box
cover
(11), on the base (3). Connection should be made with a commercial fitting specifically intended for
attaching this size cable to ½” diameter copper rod.
WARNING:
Failure to make mechanically and electrically sound connection at both ends of the cable will
create and electrical shock hazard and could result in property damage, personal injury, or
death.
ADJUSTING CABLE GUIDE
Cable guide position is set by rotating the spring pocket assembly. Loosen three clamps holding spring
pocket assembly in place by unscrewing three hex head bolts. Unless required, do not completely
remove bolts or clamps. Reposition guide as required, making sure clamps straddle ribs on outside
diameter of spring pocket assembly and retighten hex head bolts.
CAUTION:
Pulling the cable at sharp angles to the cable guide will shorten the cable life and retard
retraction speed.
OPERATION
RATCHET LOCK
All reels are supplied with a ratchet lock to hold drum at any of several positions per drum
revolution and prevent if from retracting. If ratchet lock is not required--constant tension--, move spring
clip and spring to adjacent cable guide screw. To release ratchet, pull cable out until ratchet pawl
disengages.
GROUND FAULT CONNECTION
When the cable is pulled out and connected to provide ground fault protection, all of the cable should be
fully extended to provide maximum current capacity and a padlock must be installed on the reel through
the hole provided in the flange of the spool. This padlock prevents drum rotation and assures that the
cable remains unwound should a ground fault occur.
