Powertec Lat Issue Part 2

[Ruffymaster3]

So after disassembling/reassembling my powertec lat machine several times, I believe that I've created a new issue...though I'm not positive.

The first picture is how the bar sits with no weight on the carriage. There is minimal tension and the bar hangs freely at the bottom.

The second picture shows how the bar sits when any substantial weight is added. As you can see there is a lot of tension on the rubber ball which causes the bar to rise up, as opposed to hanging freely at the bottom as in the first picture.

Now my questions is whether or not this is normal. I've tried loosening the jam bolt to the point to where I only give it 2 spins, but the same amount of tension is still present. I've also read up on the "cable streching" period, but this machine is older than 3 years and should be streched out.

All help is greatly appreciated!

[Keetman]

I had this on my older machine, but when I replace it the new one did not have the issue. I'll try to explain what I did, but I don't have any pictures and it may be tough to understand.

First, get yourself a snap hook or a "quicklink" at a hardware store:


http://www.usrigging.com/quicklinks.html


Then disconnect the cable where it attaches at the loading plates (where you adjust it on the back of the machine). Now, connect the cable to the quicklink/snap hook and then connect the new piece to the carriage (where the cable was originally attached). There may already be a snap hook on there (I forget off the top of my head how its connected), don't worry about it though. If the length of your new hardware makes the whole setup too long, you should be able to adjust it in the opposite direction of what you've already tried; i.e., you'll be tightening the slack in the cable not loosening it.

I hope that makes sense. It did work for me and allowed me to take the tension off that ball.

[Ruffymaster3]

I've tried using the smallest possible carabiner that would fit to replace the bolt/washer used to hold down the low pulley (picture 1). However the cable was then to long and very loose in the middle section (even after tightening the jam bolt ALL the way down).

Are you suggesting I use the carabiner to attach in place of the jam bolt on the weight carriage (picture 2)?

[Keetman]

No, you were right. I attached it to the frame you have shown in pic 1. I remember now, I put the snap hook through the hole the bolt goes in (removing the bolt), then attached the cable to it. It only should give you an inch and a half of extra play though, seems like between the tightness you have and the length of the adjusting bolt, it shouldn't be too long.

If that doesn't work for you I'm at a loss right now, it worked for me. I'll look at mine if I get a chance today.

[captainmorgan0]

This is normal, mine does this as well and I've never been bothered by it.

[emp1acur]

Mine hangs just like your pictures, and I'm OK with it. I assumed it was supposed to be like that.

The part that perplexed me more was that the carriage doesn't sit against the rubber stoppers by default. It is about 1/2 or 3/4 inches higher. If I turned the bolt in only about a thread or two, that gap would be smaller, but I figure the bolt should be in half way or so to be safe. Would be curious as to whether yours is the same.

I've though about getting a longer ellipse hook for the other cable because that reduces tension and would solve my gap above rubber stoppers. Seems like it might solve your issue as well.

[Ruffymaster3]

No, you were right. I attached it to the frame you have shown in pic 1. I remember now, I put the snap hook through the hole the bolt goes in (removing the bolt), then attached the cable to it. It only should give you an inch and a half of extra play though, seems like between the tightness you have and the length of the adjusting bolt, it shouldn't be too long.

If that doesn't work for you I'm at a loss right now, it worked for me. I'll look at mine if I get a chance today.

I tried using a carabiner again but then there is A LOT of slack in the middle pulleys when the bar is in the rack and even w/o weight in the carriage. Does the same happen w yours?

Like captain Morgan suggested, I'm wondering if this is how the earlier model was designed. Seems like it's pick your poison...to much tension or to much slack. Perhaps others can chime in with their experiences.

[Poncho428]

yep mine always did this, too. I have no issue w/ it. I just make sure the ball on the cable is at the top of the machine and not on the lower part of the rails.

[Ruffymaster3]

yep mine always did this, too. I have no issue w/ it. I just make sure the ball on the cable is at the top of the machine and not on the lower part of the rails.

Thanks poncho, you provided a lot of reassurance in both threads. I started filing late last night but realized it would soon piss off the neighbors. Will finish tonight with hopefully successful results.

[Keetman]

I tried using a carabiner again but then there is A LOT of slack in the middle pulleys when the bar is in the rack and even w/o weight in the carriage. Does the same happen w yours?

Like captain Morgan suggested, I'm wondering if this is how the earlier model was designed. Seems like it's pick your poison...to much tension or to much slack. Perhaps others can chime in with their experiences.



I don't have the one I had to tinker with anymore. I replaced it with an identical, but newer unit that doesn't have this problem. Also, I have the much older version (white) so I think its just a QC thing or just something enough out of wack to make a problem. I remember it hanging a bit farther down, but it wasn't an issue. Now, on the one I currently have, the ball just barely rests below the metal.....like I think it should. The biggest problem I experienced with the old one was after a set I would finish with the ball at the bottom of the guard and a few minutes later it would invariably make its way back up to the front and slam the weight carriage down with a boom. It almost always made me jump and I'm sure it wasn't terribly good on the equipment.

[Curbside_Quiche]

Hey if you post a pic with the entire cable section in the frame I will have at look at it for you and let you know the best way to fix it.