Totem cam instruction manual

Hey all,

Have you ever read the instruction pamphlet that comes with Totem cams? I know the cool kids throw those away immediately, but the other night I took a look at one (even though I've been using Totems for a couple years). Illustrations 6 and 7 indicate that either the "normal" attachment point or the high clip in loop are full strength and fine for clipping the rope, as expected. But illustration 8 shows an improper attachment, with a biner clipped over both loops. Any idea why this might be a problem? I have clipped Totems this way both to stand on and for pro, simply because it is easier to clip the loop held open by the bar tacks, and I've never given any thought to clipping over the lower loop, since that part of the system is just hanging there totally unloaded. My only guess is that their concern is some interference of the lower loop with the biner-- maybe the loop could pull into the gate is fallen on in just the right scenario? The text of the instructions do not provide any clues.

I realize my description may be difficult to follow, I'll look for a pdf online or post a pic.

Jonathan

Here it is:

https://www.totemcams.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Totem_intrucciones2.pdf

I'd imagine that it's to create redundancy, similar to how you only clip 2 or 3 strands of a quad.  If one "anchor point" fails and your carabiner is clipped to both clip in points, the carabiner will slide off the end.

Yes, it looks like if two out of the four cam lobes fail, with both loops clipped like you suggest, the carabiner could potentially slide off the unit.

However if only one webbing strand is clipped, either the lower or upper, the carabiner would remain clipped in event of half of the cam failing.

I don't see a high probability of this happening because the axle would have to snap, but in a major fall, big forces could be generated and the instructions are guiding you toward a maximum strength placement.

John Hegyes wrote: Yes, it looks like if two out of the four cam lobes fail, with both loops clipped like you suggest, the carabiner could potentially slide off the unit.

However if only one webbing strand is clipped, either the lower or upper, the carabiner would remain clipped in event of half of the cam failing.

I don't see a high probability of this happening because the axle would have to snap, but in a major fall, big forces could be generated and the instructions are guiding you toward a maximum strength placement.

Two lobes ripping off of the axle and the rest of the cam holds? There's no way Totem designed for that. That's like making the tread pattern in a dump truck tire human shaped, just in case.

They may be trying to prevent the rope abraiding the lower sling loop. If the rope cut the lower loop it wouldn't make that placement fail but it could destroy that loop