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Topic: Broken actuator cord on blind (Read 457 times) previous topic - next topic

Broken actuator cord on blind

I took the pleated accordian blind down from over the dining table window because the rope/cord broke. It -now that it is broken-is 48" long, so when NOT broken it is a closed loop of 24"
I looked all over for a brand name but could only find some text molded in one end cover. It says:"Rollup Lift system by General Clutch"
So, any thoughts as to where I might get a replacement closed loop cord? Obviously I don't want one like the one I have! IT'S BROKE!!

Rocket just took off with the cord. He pushed it off my desk and now has dragged it down the hall, probably to his food dishes. For some reason pulling string, shoe laces, etc, is his thing. Don't know why.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Broken actuator cord on blind

Reply #1 –

Funny post, I can see your dog taking off thinking he really has something special this time.  I've bought and restrung two, not hard at all, just spread it out on the table or floor and follow the instructions.  I ordered some on Amazon, and also bought some extra to carry at Camping World.  Following is Amazon purchase and video from United Shade.  I did a drawing of mine before taking apart and as I remember that helped when comparing to drawings that came in kit.  The two I replaced now go up and down much easier, after adjusting tension properly, compared to all the others.
Amazon.com: United Shade 650000 Pleated String First Aid Kit: Automotive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5v3sejW-4s

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
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"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Broken actuator cord on blind

Reply #2 –
The cord that broke on our blind is the one you pull on that turns a little wheel on the shaft that has the vertical strings threaded thru the accordion pleats. Not the strings!
This cord is  about 2.8MM or .098" in diameter.  The cord goes into the enclosed end of the assembly into a wheel. The bottom end of the loop is held under a bit of tension by a nylon bracket that is screwed into the wall. Thus the reason it is a closed loop without a "bump" or "lump" created by a splice or knot. Any deviation in diameter and the cord will not pass thru the actuator wheel on the end of the blind.

Pull on one side of the loop and the blind comes down. Pull on the other side of the loop and the blind goes up.
"Like magic"

The smaller strings that go thru the pleats are just fine and do their job.

Sorry Jack, but my blind has none of the parts shown in the sales pitch. None! Not even the string size.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Broken actuator cord on blind

Reply #3 –
Without a photo of your blinds, I am blind to help. . .

Re: Broken actuator cord on blind

Reply #4 –
OK, seems to be a bit of confusion here, either on my part or on everyone's interpretation of what I posted.
My blind is the honeycomb type, not the one I first mentioned.
The .9mm cord is 4' long if broken
The .9mm cord is a continuous, endless 2' diameter circle, no bulges where a splice was made to hold ends together.
This cord, when pulled on one side of the loop hanging down makes the blind go up. Pull the other side of the loop and the blind goes down.
Is a picture of a 2' diameter rope circle really necessary? All I need is a source for the endless cord.
I appreciate all the efforts to help but I think I am either not making it clear what I need or some are making this a major project and much more complicated than what I need.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Broken actuator cord on blind

Reply #5 –
OK, got the cord ordered. D30 x 2' loop, white---$6.99
Got it from a website  that the DW searched & found. It is titled: Fix my blinds.com and has just about anything one might need pertinent to blinds of all types.

But thanks everybody for trying to help. Sometimes I get a bit short tempered because of this cancer crap. Sorry.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Broken actuator cord on blind

Reply #6 –
I had a cord break and I was told to melt the ends together after cutting it cleanly by the manufacturer.  Appears that's how they join them.  Has to be synthetic cord.  Worked!

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Broken actuator cord on blind

Reply #7 –
It must be that time of year for 'continuous cord loop shade' problems. I'm still stuck on how to get the darn shade out, no response from the factory, 'Spring Window Fashions' and their Graber 'easy-up' shades.  :facepalm:  :headwall:
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Broken actuator cord on blind

Reply #8 –
If your blind is mounted like mine, here is what I did.
I used a fairly thin bladed screwdriver and, while pushing up on the bottom of the top housing part of the blind I inserted the screwdriver between the metal hooks on the wall side and tilted them away from the blind. Then a simple matter of pulling the blind top away from the wall. There are two of these brackets holding the blind top in place.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Broken actuator cord on blind

Reply #9 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
Then a simple matter of pulling the blind top away from the wall. There are two of these brackets holding the blind top in place.
Looks like my whole valance has to come off first, all three pieces. I can't see a thing up in there!
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Broken actuator cord on blind

Reply #10 –
Yup, valance off makes it easier.
Tip the honeycomb blind away from the wall while pushing up on the plastic top. This will raise the plastic high enough for you to nudge the two prong clip away from the plastic (towards the wall) with your screwdriver.
Repeat on the other end.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD