Hi guys, just finished setting up my harness bar for a shackle..
I used a Wichard 2673, have the release line coming off the "top" of the shackle, and the leash line coming off the "bottom"..... It seems from living room testing, that the bulk of the leash line will prevent the release line from migrating down to the bottom where it won't release as well as the top...
Anyway, that's my thinking... I'm certainly open to critique As I've never done this before...
Pics are posted at: http://www.frontiernet.net/~kyakmike/shackle1
and at:
http://www.frontiernet.net/~kyakmike/shackle2
I've read differing things about using a ring with this particular shackle, so for now I'm planning on using the chicken loop "as is" and it also has a pin and loop type release that I will have available as a "secondary" release if needed...
Let me know what you think
Thanks!!
Harness Shackle setup??
Moderator: MK
I am surprised you didn't get any other feedback on this one.
Your system looks pretty good. I assume you want to have a spinnable leash and that is why you have the leash attached to your shackle and not your harness. Just make sure that where you attach the leash doesn't interfere with the opening of the snap shackle.
Are you thinking of putting the pin and loop together each time you about to launch? Might want to think of some other attachement, like a caribeener for quick attachment, while still having the QR inline.
Barry's idea is a good one. TEST TEST TEST. If nothing else it commits the process to memory so that when you have that split second to save your ass, you might be able to.
I feel like I've stated the obvious. hope not.
Your system looks pretty good. I assume you want to have a spinnable leash and that is why you have the leash attached to your shackle and not your harness. Just make sure that where you attach the leash doesn't interfere with the opening of the snap shackle.
Are you thinking of putting the pin and loop together each time you about to launch? Might want to think of some other attachement, like a caribeener for quick attachment, while still having the QR inline.
Barry's idea is a good one. TEST TEST TEST. If nothing else it commits the process to memory so that when you have that split second to save your ass, you might be able to.
I feel like I've stated the obvious. hope not.
Tighe
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kyakmike
Thanks Tighe.. Lets see... the pin and loop release is on the front of the chicken loop, and No, I was gonna leave that assembled all the time, and use that as a secondary release in case the shackle jams (It sounds like This is the release that Alex ended up using in the latest "incedent") I'm planning on clipping the chicken loop direct into the shackle, as I understand this model quick release shackle works better this way, rather than a small ring...
The leash release is a pin and velcro setup, where you put the leash line over the pin, fold it down, and wrap the velcro around a couple times... then there is a small grab loop that will open the velcro, release the pin, and the leash line slides off.. I plan on using this "as is" clip the leash line to a carabiner on my ice screw while setting up, then assemble the Leash pin and velcro setup before flight..
Alex suggested moving the leash anchor from inside the shackle release mechanism to out on the "fixed" jaw... and this is how I've seen pics of other setups, and it looks like this is what the Frenzy manual Might be trying to show.... (Really bad photos in the manual - I think Ozone needs to work on this some more..)
I've decided to move it, using a smaller diameter line with a "Prussik" knot holding it to the fixed jaw.... In my original setup, I was trying to avoid having the leash attachment inadvertantly sliding off the shackle when releasing the chicken loop.... but I think the prussik knot will resolve this....
I hope...
We'll see....
Thanks for the input!!
I'll take a pic of my new setup when done...
The leash release is a pin and velcro setup, where you put the leash line over the pin, fold it down, and wrap the velcro around a couple times... then there is a small grab loop that will open the velcro, release the pin, and the leash line slides off.. I plan on using this "as is" clip the leash line to a carabiner on my ice screw while setting up, then assemble the Leash pin and velcro setup before flight..
Alex suggested moving the leash anchor from inside the shackle release mechanism to out on the "fixed" jaw... and this is how I've seen pics of other setups, and it looks like this is what the Frenzy manual Might be trying to show.... (Really bad photos in the manual - I think Ozone needs to work on this some more..)
I've decided to move it, using a smaller diameter line with a "Prussik" knot holding it to the fixed jaw.... In my original setup, I was trying to avoid having the leash attachment inadvertantly sliding off the shackle when releasing the chicken loop.... but I think the prussik knot will resolve this....
I hope...
We'll see....
Thanks for the input!!
I'll take a pic of my new setup when done...
shackles
I'm all for shackles but many people are over rating the load capacity. Do you really want your body attached to 5000 lbs rated shackle? Personally I would want the shackle to break at a certin point. Obviously ithe rating should allow of bodyweight x3 or so to allow for jumps.
If anyone has ever seen the orginal kite picture from the entry webpage on http://www.windancing.com (maybe Tighe can repost it), the one which is colorless and blurred it shows Martin Vari attached to the kite with a dog leash clip! Not that this is recommended but he was using this system for a while.
-Brett
If anyone has ever seen the orginal kite picture from the entry webpage on http://www.windancing.com (maybe Tighe can repost it), the one which is colorless and blurred it shows Martin Vari attached to the kite with a dog leash clip! Not that this is recommended but he was using this system for a while.
-Brett
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kyakmike
Brett... Thanks... Actually, I wasn't really looking at the strength rating of the one I chose, rather than the fact that it is a front pivot rather than a side.. and that the brand has a history of a nice Smooth finish. and the overall size was an issue. I also think that it would be a "bad" thing if a shackle broke under stress, returning to a fully powered up state in conditions where that might not be a good thing..
Anyway, I re-did mine with the leash attatchment moved - should still be able to rotate just fine - (not that I think I'll ever be good enough for that to be an issue..
)
But I was a bit nervious about all that extra line stuffed into the release mechanism.... which is why I asked for input in the first place...
Another problem I think maybe with winter kiting, is that ice and snow can melt and refreeze inside the release... anybody have any thougts on this??
I posted still another pic at: http://www.frontiernet.net/~kyakmike/shackle3
I think/ hope I'm good to go now...
Anyway, I re-did mine with the leash attatchment moved - should still be able to rotate just fine - (not that I think I'll ever be good enough for that to be an issue..
)But I was a bit nervious about all that extra line stuffed into the release mechanism.... which is why I asked for input in the first place...
Another problem I think maybe with winter kiting, is that ice and snow can melt and refreeze inside the release... anybody have any thougts on this??
I posted still another pic at: http://www.frontiernet.net/~kyakmike/shackle3
I think/ hope I'm good to go now...
Re: shackles
I was using a keyring last year until this happened:
http://www.downhaul.com/misc/020204/P2040003.JPG
There is somthing to be said for break-a-way compontants. I belive the Psycho has some part of the bridle system that will go away before catistrophic damage occurs.
In the spot I used the keyring I never thought there would be enough force to make it fail. I was wrong. Lots of weird stuff can happen at any time.
Nice work on your system by the way Mikey!
http://www.downhaul.com/misc/020204/P2040003.JPG
There is somthing to be said for break-a-way compontants. I belive the Psycho has some part of the bridle system that will go away before catistrophic damage occurs.
In the spot I used the keyring I never thought there would be enough force to make it fail. I was wrong. Lots of weird stuff can happen at any time.
Nice work on your system by the way Mikey!
Brett wrote:I'm all for shackles but many people are over rating the load capacity. Do you really want your body attached to 5000 lbs rated shackle? Personally I would want the shackle to break at a certin point. Obviously ithe rating should allow of bodyweight x3 or so to allow for jumps.
If anyone has ever seen the orginal kite picture from the entry webpage on http://www.windancing.com (maybe Tighe can repost it), the one which is colorless and blurred it shows Martin Vari attached to the kite with a dog leash clip! Not that this is recommended but he was using this system for a while.
-Brett