Noob needs help how to install nylon string.

RobertBasil

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I'm am arcade guy and bought my very first crane. Tested it at the sellers house and it worked great.

During transport back to my house the crane jumped around the the nylon string came out. I have absolutely no idea what I am doing. It's a bear claw crane. I called and emailed the maker (Smart Industries! A bunch of times to try and purchase a manual but they never return my calls or emails. The seller has no clue how to fix it either.

The crane moved back and forth and from side to side just fine. But not up and down. I think I have the string in wrong. Can someone tell me what I am doing wrong? Is there a tutorial or manual for this online? I'm willing to buy a manual if you know where I can find one.

Photos attached.

Thanks!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1345704460.955631.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1345704474.419061.jpg
 
I'm am arcade guy and bought my very first crane. Tested it at the sellers house and it worked great.

During transport back to my house the crane jumped around the the nylon string came out. I have absolutely no idea what I am doing. It's a bear claw crane. I called and emailed the maker (Smart Industries! A bunch of times to try and purchase a manual but they never return my calls or emails. The seller has no clue how to fix it either.

The crane moved back and forth and from side to side just fine. But not up and down. I think I have the string in wrong. Can someone tell me what I am doing wrong? Is there a tutorial or manual for this online? I'm willing to buy a manual if you know where I can find one.

Photos attached.

Thanks!

View attachment 118756
View attachment 118757

The string is routed correctly and it's hard to tell from your pick but it looks like the string is not attached to the take up reel (Top right in your pick).

The string does not tie to the reel. There is a slot cut out on one side (should be the back side) that the string needs to be pulled through (have to have a small knot at the end of the string so it does not just pull out.
 
The string is pulled through the slot on the wheel but its just not pulling the string up.

I also forgot the mention, I've hit the reset switch inside and it does is open and close the claw.

I tried to turn the wheel to take up the slack so the claw is at the top to start. But the wheel does not turn. Is there a way to manually turn it?

Thanks for your help!
 
First on the far left pully (looking at the machine) is that string correctly seated inside the pully or behind it. Also to move the winding wheel there should be a gold corkscrew gear at the top of the assembly, I believe if you turn that by hand you should be able to get it to take up some of the slack. Also have you checked to make sure you have no broken wires in the top harness, that happens alot with cranes.
 
The motor has no screws to turn it by hand (I wish it did). I'll have to check the wiring when I get home tonight.

Thanks for your help!
 
Looks to me like your string is not quite correct. The string should look like the letter N. if you look at the first pic you posted, the string on the right side pulley is on the wrong side. It should be winding up from the other side. Having the string wound wrong can cause the claw to either go down all the way and stay down, or ind up so tight that you could slice cheese with the tension on that string. Second thing to do, after you get the string fixed is to check your voltage. I have a bear claw, and it will do exactly the same thing as you're describing unless the 5v is 5.3 to 5.4 volts. That should take care of your problem.
 
Looks to me like your string is not quite correct. The string should look like the letter N. if you look at the first pic you posted, the string on the right side pulley is on the wrong side. It should be winding up from the other side. Having the string wound wrong can cause the claw to either go down all the way and stay down, or ind up so tight that you could slice cheese with the tension on that string. Second thing to do, after you get the string fixed is to check your voltage. I have a bear claw, and it will do exactly the same thing as you're describing unless the 5v is 5.3 to 5.4 volts. That should take care of your problem.

All of the Smart Cranes I have worked on travel on the right side of the take up spool. The only time I have encountered the crane winding up on the left other than winding up backwards due to the missing knot was when the motor leads were reversed at an attempted fix.

The attached pic show the proper smart crane string routing.
 

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Looks as though I was mistaken about that last pulley there, but something doesn't look like the picture....possibly something going on with the center pulley then? It just doesn't look right to me is all.
 
To me it looks like the string is not attached to the take-up spool or there is too much left over after installing. It could also be wrapped around the axle.

Also, as mentioned before there is a slot cut out on the tip of the motor shaft (see attached picture). Take a flat head screw driver and turn the motor shaft and see if the spool turns or if only the the spool axle is turning. It may be possible the the set screw has come out that hold the spool to the axle.

The string looks like it is just twine and going to break soon anyway's. I'd replace it with some new nylon. The draw cord from cheap $3.00 mini blinds at WalMart work good as crane sting if you cant find the normal stuff. It's the same just slightly smaller in diameter.
 

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Last edited:
heres a link to the crane manual from Smart

http://www.sendspace.com/file/245u8i

they used to sell it but now it is free if u call their parts dept. so i dont see a problem with posting it here. thats a generic manual for a bunch of cranes, the dip settings and so on may not be correct because of versions between boards but the directions for stringing the crane wire is applicable to about 75% of cranes I have run across (united and rainbow have different systems).

re-stringing the crane is a huge pain but once you do it one time it becomes very easy. your best bet is to remove the entire string and start over with new string. I have restrung cranes using the old claw string and it usually just breaks again in a few weeks anyway.
 
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