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P a g e
With the tower successfully raised the guy ropes can be tensioned. When tensioning is complete the
remaining wire rope (excess length) can be attached to the tensioned rope using the supplied rope
grips. These grips act as a secondary device – to fit correctly, the tensioned cable should be saddled
first in to the grip body then the loose cable and U bolt before tightening.
To lower the tower back down, whilst supporting the tower and preventing the gin pole from lifting,
remove the bolt fixing the gin pole to the gin pole anchor bracket. Attach a rope in the same way the
rope was attached for lifting the tower. With one person supporting the tower directly and two
people taking the rope strain lower the tower to the floor. The person supporting the tower directly
should not be stood directly under the path that the tower will fall and, whilst walking backwards as
the tower falls, should be aware that various guy ropes will be trip hazards.
Step 8 – Fitting the AirForce1 Turbine
Place the end of the tower on a builder’s trestle or something similar. Turbine assembly is not
covered here; refer to the turbine instructions for this information. Before fitting the turbine to the
top of the tower complete the electrical connections – it is important to electrically brake the
turbine whilst installing so that it is not free-running, especially when there is a breeze on the day.
Electrical braking can be done either by using a FuturEnergy Stop Switch or by shorting together the
cables from the turbine.
