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diffent strength break cords?
Mil spec 80lb is used in static line.
But I'm looking into cutaway systems for cameras on skydiving helmets. Is lesser strength cord available to buy? Cheers
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Re: [RichM] diffent strength break cords?
RichM wrote:
Mil spec 80lb is used in static line.
But I'm looking into cutaway systems for cameras on skydiving helmets. Is lesser strength cord available to buy? Cheers
I think you're good with 80lb.
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Re: [REDAKTOR] diffent strength break cords?
I don't. I did some testing a couple of weeks ago with a batch of 80 Lbs. break cord and was able to put a total suspended load of 360 Lbs. on it without it breaking. At this point I ran out of weight, got pissed off, started tugging on it, and it broke. You should note that the rating is a MINIMUM strength, not a max, or even centered near the average.

If you feel like being a test jumper (and I guess we all are in a way), you could take the 80 Lbs break cord, remove some strands, and do load testing until you are comfortable with it. I recognize that pilot chute pull forces can exceed this 360 Lbs. number I'm throwing out, but that I don't think that it provides enough margin for my comfort level.
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Re: [idemallie] diffent strength break cords?
idemallie wrote:
I don't. I did some testing a couple of weeks ago with a batch of 80 Lbs. break cord and was able to put a total suspended load of 360 Lbs. on it without it breaking. At this point I ran out of weight, got pissed off, started tugging on it, and it broke. You should note that the rating is a MINIMUM strength, not a max, or even centered near the average.

If you feel like being a test jumper (and I guess we all are in a way), you could take the 80 Lbs break cord, remove some strands, and do load testing until you are comfortable with it. I recognize that pilot chute pull forces can exceed this 360 Lbs. number I'm throwing out, but that I don't think that it provides enough margin for my comfort level.

Well, IMHO 40 pounds can get torn off by relative wind, especially in a wingsuit dive.

If bridle wrap is what you are aiming to avoid, than isn't an anti-snag housing or mount is a better solution?
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Re: [REDAKTOR] diffent strength break cords?
REDAKTOR wrote:
Well, IMHO 40 pounds can get torn off by relative wind, especially in a wingsuit dive.

If bridle wrap is what you are aiming to avoid, than isn't an anti-snag housing or mount is a better solution?

I think you're right about the risk of it being torn off. When you are trying to ride the line between strong enough to hold on in the relative wind but not strong enough to resist pilot chute pull force, you are playing with extremely small margins.

If a breakaway system is what you're after, I would go with magnets (although I'm just now thinking that velcro might work). If you'd rather have a cutaway option, the lolon cable or something similar would be better.

When you say "cutaway" I'm thinking something that doesn't automatically break, but that the user must active. Maybe with a huge adrenaline pump, you can rip apart 360 Lbs. worth of cord, but I don't know if I could.
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Re: [idemallie] diffent strength break cords?
I also know a number of cases where the camera broke off because of opening shock, both on slider up and down jumps.