Self Deploying Spool

PeteM · July 10th, 2007, 06:39 PM

I've got myself a Halcyon Coldwater Spool, which I'm coming to terms with using with my SMB, but I'm having a bit of a problem with it self deploying at inconvenient moments if its clipped on to me i.e. when jumping in or when I’m just about to get out.

Am I missing a trick here? Do I need to wrap a small snoopy loop / bungy around the line to hold it in place? Has anybody else had this problem?

rjack · July 10th, 2007, 06:51 PM

1) Cut a little line off so the line isn't so full on the spool and its harder for it to slip off.
2) Pull it really tight the last few wraps.

Is it coming loose while in a pocket?

Richard

TobyFish · July 10th, 2007, 07:20 PM

remember the cold water spool has a smaller line capacity than the normal defender - don't overload it.
smaller double-enders are less likely to "roll-off"

MarkEm · July 10th, 2007, 07:22 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by PeteM)

I've got myself a Halcyon Coldwater Spool, which I'm coming to terms with using with my SMB, but I'm having a bit of a problem with it self deploying at inconvenient moments if its clipped on to me i.e. when jumping in or when I’m just about to get out.

Am I missing a trick here? Do I need to wrap a small snoopy loop / bungy around the line to hold it in place? Has anybody else had this problem?

Hi Pete,

You are less likely to run into problems if you keep the spool in your drysuit pocket unitl you need it.

Best regards,

Mark.

*JohnKendall* · July 10th, 2007, 08:00 PM

Where are you clipping the end of the line to? It should be to one of the holes in the main body of the spool and not onto the little Extention piece.

HTH

John

LCF · July 11th, 2007, 02:33 AM

Wow, I have a self-deploying spool, too, and it isn't a Halcyon. Maybe all the manufacturers are making them now?

The key for me is, when I wind up the line on the spool, I don't wind it flat across, but let it build up a little more on one side than the other. That exposes more of the holes on one side, so the double ender can be easily put through the hole and rotated to a position where it doesn't come loose.

If you have too much line on the spool, even that won't work, and the spool is guaranteed to make a bolt for it at the most awkward moment. Going down the anchor line on a wreck and simultaneously finding your buddy's LP inflator hose has popped off AND your spool has come out of your pocket and is unreeling itself all over the team coming down above you is not a propitious beginning to a dive.

Icarusflies · July 11th, 2007, 12:09 PM

I also have a self deploying spool...spent 3 min at 80' getting back the line from the surface once....I just pull it very tight the last few turns, but I the best solution is the keep it in the pocket, which I now do.

PeteM · July 11th, 2007, 01:18 PM

It isn't a problem in my pocket.

I'm guessing that its just there is a bit to much line on it at the moment, which seems to make it want to pop off on its own. Hopefully if I trim off a bit of line it wont be a problem any more.

Cheers for all you comments.

Regards

Pete

TobyFish · July 12th, 2007, 01:41 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by LCF)

The key for me is, when I wind up the line on the spool, I don't wind it flat across, but let it build up a little more on one side than the other. That exposes more of the holes on one side, so the double ender can be easily put through the hole and rotated to a position where it doesn't come loose.

IMO - if the line obscures the holes on either or both sides of the spool the it is overloaded

LCF · July 13th, 2007, 05:02 AM

There's a difference between obscuring the holes (which is clearly overloaded) and taking up a little of the volume of the hole, which can discourage the double ender from rotating into the "less likely to come loose" position.

July 10th, 2007, 06:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
PeteM(Offline) New Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Posts: 12	Self Deploying Spool I've got myself a Halcyon Coldwater Spool, which I'm coming to terms with using with my SMB, but I'm having a bit of a problem with it self deploying at inconvenient moments if its clipped on to me i.e. when jumping in or when I’m just about to get out. Am I missing a trick here? Do I need to wrap a small snoopy loop / bungy around the line to hold it in place? Has anybody else had this problem?

July 10th, 2007, 07:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
TobyFish(Offline) Fine Upstanding Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Telford, UK Posts: 792	remember the cold water spool has a smaller line capacity than the normal defender - don't overload it. smaller double-enders are less likely to "roll-off" __________________ Rude-boy Volvo "Gangsta Rollin' in me nine-six-oh"

July 10th, 2007, 07:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
MarkEm(Offline) Site Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 220	Quote: (Originally Posted by PeteM) I've got myself a Halcyon Coldwater Spool, which I'm coming to terms with using with my SMB, but I'm having a bit of a problem with it self deploying at inconvenient moments if its clipped on to me i.e. when jumping in or when I’m just about to get out. Am I missing a trick here? Do I need to wrap a small snoopy loop / bungy around the line to hold it in place? Has anybody else had this problem? Hi Pete, You are less likely to run into problems if you keep the spool in your drysuit pocket unitl you need it. Best regards, Mark. __________________ *WWW.DIVESIGNS.COM*

July 10th, 2007, 08:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
JohnKendall(Offline) GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,097	Where are you clipping the end of the line to? It should be to one of the holes in the main body of the spool and not onto the little Extention piece. HTH John __________________ John Kendall http://www.guetraining.com/ GUE Instruction, Santi and Halcyon Equipment NEW - Online Santi Shop

July 11th, 2007, 02:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
LCF(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 622	Wow, I have a self-deploying spool, too, and it isn't a Halcyon. Maybe all the manufacturers are making them now? The key for me is, when I wind up the line on the spool, I don't wind it flat across, but let it build up a little more on one side than the other. That exposes more of the holes on one side, so the double ender can be easily put through the hole and rotated to a position where it doesn't come loose. If you have too much line on the spool, even that won't work, and the spool is guaranteed to make a bolt for it at the most awkward moment. Going down the anchor line on a wreck and simultaneously finding your buddy's LP inflator hose has popped off AND your spool has come out of your pocket and is unreeling itself all over the team coming down above you is not a propitious beginning to a dive. __________________ check out www.divematrix.com "So, it's a good thing to always do the drills the same way . . . but in real life you need to act the right way, whatever that happens to be." LauNar

July 10th, 2007, 06:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
rjack(Offline) wet behind the ears Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 860	1) Cut a little line off so the line isn't so full on the spool and its harder for it to slip off. 2) Pull it really tight the last few wraps. Is it coming loose while in a pocket? Richard

July 11th, 2007, 12:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Icarusflies (Online) New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Barcelona Posts: 201	I also have a self deploying spool...spent 3 min at 80' getting back the line from the surface once....I just pull it very tight the last few turns, but I the best solution is the keep it in the pocket, which I now do.

July 11th, 2007, 01:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
PeteM(Offline) New Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Posts: 12	It isn't a problem in my pocket. I'm guessing that its just there is a bit to much line on it at the moment, which seems to make it want to pop off on its own. Hopefully if I trim off a bit of line it wont be a problem any more. Cheers for all you comments. Regards Pete

July 12th, 2007, 01:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
TobyFish(Offline) Fine Upstanding Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Telford, UK Posts: 792	Quote: (Originally Posted by LCF) The key for me is, when I wind up the line on the spool, I don't wind it flat across, but let it build up a little more on one side than the other. That exposes more of the holes on one side, so the double ender can be easily put through the hole and rotated to a position where it doesn't come loose. IMO - if the line obscures the holes on either or both sides of the spool the it is overloaded __________________ Rude-boy Volvo "Gangsta Rollin' in me nine-six-oh"

July 13th, 2007, 05:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
LCF(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 622	There's a difference between obscuring the holes (which is clearly overloaded) and taking up a little of the volume of the hole, which can discourage the double ender from rotating into the "less likely to come loose" position. __________________ check out www.divematrix.com "So, it's a good thing to always do the drills the same way . . . but in real life you need to act the right way, whatever that happens to be." LauNar