Penn 525 mag

[dodgepot]

Hi, I'm after some help and advice. My 525 seems to be running fast when I cast out, even with the slidy mag on slow. I've had a look inside the spool tension cap nut and, according to the limited specs I've found on line, should have a metal thrust washer and also a rubber thrust washer? Mine has none!!! So, are they meant to be there? And if so where can I buy them from?
Cheers

 

[rod-the-cod]

Take end cap off the one with the slider and check magnets haven't come out and stuck to spool

 

[dodgepot]

Hi, I've done that and the magnet looks like its intact and in place still

 

[rod-the-cod]

Was it slower before if it's always been realy fast try a bit thicker oil in spool bearings

 

[dodgepot]

Hiya, its been the same all the time, the slidey mag does slow it down but its still really fast, I think it may just be my poor casting........

 

[endurothumpers]

As above take the bearings out and put some thicker oil in them also make sure your spool is filled up properly.

 

[big phil 123]

Hi, I'm after some help and advice. My 525 seems to be running fast when I cast out, even with the slidy mag on slow. I've had a look inside the spool tension cap nut and, according to the limited specs I've found on line, should have a metal thrust washer and also a rubber thrust washer? Mine has none!!! So, are they meant to be there? And if so where can I buy them from?
Cheers

adjust the spool tension to as a unbalanced loose spool will cause line to lift

 

[dodgepot]

Thanks the advice, I've currently got the tension nut fully tightened up which is why I think something is missing from it.......as when I had a 7ht this nut was no where near tight...

 

[TerryC]

If you would like to improve the breaking with extra magnets put "Neodymium Disc Magnets" into Ebay, I think 525's are 5 x 1 mm but check first cost yoy £3 - £5 for lots. Just place a couple of extra magnets behind the current ones and it will increase the braking but still leave it variable. The Mag Extra version used to come with these as standard with the fitting instructions

 

[dodgepot]

Brilliant Terry, for that price its got to be worth a blast

 

[g-force]

Thanks the advice, I've currently got the tension nut fully tightened up which is why I think something is missing from it.......as when I had a 7ht this nut was no where near tight...

If you can lock the tension nut right down tight and the spool is still spinning that fast then it definitely sounds to me that there is something missing (shims/washers as you suggest). I'd recommend you check that out first before trying any other alternative "fixes".

Gary

 

[dodgepot]

Cheers Gary, I've just bought some small magnets off ebay so I've got those as a back up. The schematics that I've found online suggest there should be "thrust washers" just inside the tension nut. But I've Google and can't find anyone that sells them......

 

[g-force]

Might be worth a call to Mick at Penn Servicing - 01386 552949, he'll give you a definitive answer, and I'm sure the parts won't cost much for a washer or two.

Gary

 

[dodgepot]

Brilliant, I'll give him a bell in the morning.
Much appreciated Gary, and thanks to everyone else for all the advice given.

 

[CHUKKA]

How many magnets are in the reel? Is the spool central? Have you checked that the mags move in and out towards the spool? With mags full on they should almost be touching the spool. Washers and end tension shouldnt even enter the equation. The end tension knob should only be used for centering the spool.

 

[g-force]

How many magnets are in the reel? Is the spool central? Have you checked that the mags move in and out towards the spool? With mags full on they should almost be touching the spool. Washers and end tension shouldnt even enter the equation. The end tension knob should only be used for centering the spool.

But if there's bits missing then none of the above are really going to sort the problem & probably risks damaging the reel, especially if under pressure; sounds like he's already got too much end-play even with the tension cap locked down tight, which definitely isn't right.

Gary

 

[CHUKKA]

The spool runs on a central spindle which has a thicker end which butts up towards the pinion gear, the spool bearing rests against this in free spool. End tension only pushes the spindle rather than the spool. It really sounds like the mags are not close enough to the spool or a mag is missing. With mags on full and full spool of line it shouldn't spin for more than about 10 seconds. With mags off your looking at 30+ seconds. Overfilling a 525 with too much light line is also asking for trouble. I find they run best with 18-20lb line, just flush with the inner edge of the spool.15lb line and an overfilled reel is often the cause of crackoffs even on full mags.

 

[g-force]

The spool runs on a central spindle which has a thicker end which butts up towards the pinion gear, the spool bearing rests against this in free spool. End tension only pushes the spindle rather than the spool. It really sounds like the mags are not close enough to the spool or a mag is missing. With mags on full and full spool of line it shouldn't spin for more than about 10 seconds. With mags off your looking at 30+ seconds. Overfilling a 525 with too much light line is also asking for trouble. I find they run best with 18-20lb line, just flush with the inner edge of the spool.15lb line and an overfilled reel is often the cause of crackoffs even on full mags.

Absolutely spot on advice there - I've just dug one of mine out the drawer, out of curiosity. Sure enough, under the end cap there's a rubber "washer" (although no hole in the middle so maybe not technically a washer?) on top of which sits a copper shim. I tried tightening down the end cap all the way and the spool will only just turn, and certainly won't "spin" - I can pull line off, but it's like pulling against a light drag. I'm pretty sure if I tried to cast with it like that it'd go all of about 10 yards. So if these parts are missing as the OP suggests, then I'd say they should be replaced first as everything else might well be fine as it is. Certainly without them, there could well be too much play on the spindle, which could lead to other eventual problems with the pinion / gears, excessive wear on parts etc.

Gary

 

[dodgepot]

Update, I emailed Mick at 9pm tonight, he emailed me straight back to confirm these washers are indeed missing and will get some sent out. Doesn't think these are the route of the problem and may just need thicker oil or extra magnets. I'll pop the washers in first and see how it goes. I've got some magnets coming off a well known auction site as back up. If after all this it still happens I'll have to get some casting lessons......
Thanks for all the help folks.

 

[g-force]

Good result there mate - at least you know that once all the bits are present & correct, you can begin to get it set up & running right - if you follow Chukka's advice you won't go far wrong.:thumbup: Also, here's a page by the man who designed the reel, explaining the tuning of said reel:

http://www.stripersonline.com/t/479258/tuning-the-penn-525-gs-525-mag-mag-t

Gary