VTmotoMike08 0 #1 December 16, 2007 So, out of pure boredom today I decided to waste a perfectly good pack job and pull out my main to measure the lines to check the trim. I quickly found that measuring the lines without a rack to hang the canopy up and hang from can be a real pain. I only measured the A lines and the steering lines before I got frustrated and quit. I just might go out to the DZ and try to use their rack and do the rest later. But I wanted to ask, how much is too much to tolerate as far as line shrinkage? The center lines off the center cell (line A1) have shrunk about 1.5 in from the manufacturers specs, and the outside lines (A5) have shrunk 4.25 inches. The steering lines are 3 inches too short, but I have adjusted the toggle setting a few times. Is this cause for concern? I have noticed a tendency for this canopy to turn to the left on opening but the line shrink has been symmetrical on both sides from what I have measured so far, granted that I have not measured them all. Is there a rule of thumb, like if it is 5 inches out of trim then its time for new lines? I am still getting a nice flare and it seems to fly straight in full flight so I don't really want to replace the lines yet but 4.25 inches seems like a lot. FYI, my canopy is a 1997 Sabre 1 190 with about 400 jumps on it. The last 150 are from me, and I think the previous owner may have been a little conservative when he told me it had 250 jumps on it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samurai136 0 #2 December 17, 2007 Something is fishy with the seller's story.It sounds like you've got a 10 year old canopy that's out of trim. Send it in to PD and have new lines put on it. "Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyJ 0 #3 December 17, 2007 lay it out like a flat pack and measure the differential. here is how to measure pd line length..when i searched before, it seemed like most people thought 3 inches differential, from the outside to the inside... i have a 500 jump spectre 190 with 2.25 diff on a lines... http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/linetrims/Measure-Line-Trim.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #4 December 17, 2007 http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/linetrims/Measure-Line-Trim.pdf Funny how one pic shows one measuring point at the stich and the other pics show something different.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #5 December 17, 2007 First of all, racks only complicate the measuring process. By the time a canopy has more than 50 jumps, the overall length of lines is insignificant. Secondly, download the trim chart from PD's website. Pay especially carefully attention to how they measure steering lines. Every manufacturer uses a different method to measure steering lines. Thirdly, the simplest way to measure the age of a canopy is to compare the A lines. Simply lay a large and heavy (30 plus pounds) weight on the harness and pull all the A lines from one riser the same amount. Compare the length of the A lines where they attach to the canopy. By the time the outboard A lines have shrunk three inches more than the center A lines, you are probably due for a new line kit. Fourth, your turning problem may be caused by a subtle shrinkage of all the lines on one side. The difference is probably too small to measure, but if every line on one side has shrunk an eight of an inch more than the other side, you will have a turn problem. Fifth point: the previous owner probably lied like a rug when he told how many jumps he did on the canopy! Tee! Hee! Or he may have "conveniently forgotten" about the tiem he loaned it to a buddy - who put another 150 jumps on the canopy! Tee! Hee! The bottom line is: it sounds like you are due for a new line kit. Ask PD to quote on prices and delivery dates. It may be simpler to simply mail your canopy to the PD factory in DeLand, Florida. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VTmotoMike08 0 #6 December 17, 2007 Quote By the time the outboard A lines have shrunk three inches more than the center A lines, you are probably due for a new line kit. That is exactly what I wanted to know, Thanks! But in my situation, the cost of a new lineset (about $245) is also about half the value of the whole canopy, maybe more O well, I have been looking for a convenient excuse to buy a new canopy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
