I purchased a set of new DMM 4CU about 8 years ago.
Recently the trigger wires have been cause of concern.

The trigger wires have been fraying and is now on the verge of breaking exactly as shown in the photo.
This is caused not by climbing or placing the cam, but from packing into a backpack.
When packed the cam head turns 90°, causing the trigger wire to make an acute angle at the metal clamp. This causes metal fatigue and in time a break in the cable.
- The attachments should help explain the above...

This is not unique to DMM, or double stem cams, as my Rock Empire single stem is doing the same.
It is rather a problem with larger cams.

To mend this seems to be no easy task as:
1) DMM is not shipping replacement triggers into RSA (I've tried MMO, CityRock, and currently K-Way is trying to find some)
2) Finding substitute trigger cable is difficult as most cables are too stiff and inflexible. I've had it to cable specialists and they don't have similar.
3) the original clamp has to be removed (it needs to be neatly filed off)
4) re-clamping is troublesome as no standard tool exists. I've had mine to a specialist tool-maker, who made a clamp and made a clamping tool, but the finished clamp does not look robust enough. (I had to remove it due to the cable not being flexible enough.

The questions I have are:
1) Do double stem cams, like Black Diamond, have a similar problem?
- A long time ago climbing partner had his BD trigger wires fraying, but I never paid proper attention to why.
- Does BD supply trigger wire replacements readily?
- If they do, how do you replace the damaged wire?

2) Any advice on how to mend my DMM and Rock Empire?

3) I still have some Wild Country solid stems and a Max cam.
Any advice on how to mend these once they show the same problem?

I've used trace wire (for fishing) in the past puchased from Mias. I'm sure all tackle shops would have it. I can't remember the gauge I bought though (sorry), but just take a section of the old trigger wire along and eyeball it. To crimp the wire I also bought metal sleeves (also from the fishing shop) and just crimpped the bugger with a set of pliers and it seems to have held up well.

I've also been thinking of using old bicycle gear cables as trigger wire. It could be an option as bicycle cables are relatively cheap and come in much shorter lengths.

Thanks Mark,
I'll give the fishing shops a try.

Concerning the bicycle cable:
That is what I'm currently experimenting with, but seems to be to stiff for the upper bend at the trigger.

Hi there, this is a fairly common problem for cams over a certain age/ usage.

I have replaced Trigger wires on quite a few Black Diamond Cams (of the old ladder sort & the newer ones) These Kits are definitely available from Black Diamond but as to their availability in South Africa.. They are simple to replace as the design has taken this into account (The trigger bar allows the wires to be removed & their attachment to the Cams can be done/ removed with a pair of pliers)

There may be more on the Black Diamond website, but in short -yes -Black Diamond Camalots allow for the replacement of the wires. As for 4CU's no idea.

Electrical contractor stores will have the crimp connectors. Every tool shop & hardware store should have crimp tools.

Ok, So I tried the trace wire and sleeve.

Sleeve size no. 5
Trace Wire "Sleeve A8", 68kg.
I repaired 2 cams, thus 8 crimps.
None held.

The Sleeve is just big enough to fit both the trigger stem and the trace wire with a little force.

I gave it my all with the pliers, but still the trace wire and the trigger stem slips out of the sleeve.
Did you drop some epoxy in with the sleeve?
Did you use a bigger sleeve?
Should I just eat some more mielie pap?

I'm at the point to simply chuck the 4CU's and buying brand new DB's....

When crimping the ferrule, try using a pair af side cutters rather than a pair of pliers with a larger contact area. Concentrating the force in 2 or three spots on the ferrule might work. I have never repaired a cam before but have used ferules for other applications. Hope it works, it would be a pity to ditch your kit!

You need to use the proper crimper.
Either buy one, they are not that expensive, I would guess between R150.00 to R250.00 these days.
Or go to the place you bought the Ferrels and ask if you can borrow one for 5 minutes.

I repair cam cables. R 150 per cam. Get me on 082 346 1210 if you're interested. Ringo

hann,
best way to fix trigger wires is not wire at all. buy yourself a roll of nylon weed-eater filament. you get yards of the stuff for cheap.put through the holes in the cam lobes, knot and melt a bit with a lighter. it looks crap but works brilliantly and doesn't fatigue. you may need to find small diam stuff for your smaller cams.

The problem I have had with the weed-eater nylon is that when retrieving an over cammed unit you can pull hard enough for the stuff to start stretching...

To all who posted advice:

Thanks, it all pointed me in the right direction.

I contacted DMM directly (K Way was their usual best at service delivery).
DMM stated the they do not supply replacement trigger wires due to possible liability claims.
They will however repair if you mail the cam back to Wales.

Here is my fix:

1) To replace the ferrule as per original proved complicated.
I found that no matter how good the crimp was, when I placed force on the trigger the connection failed.
I have to add that my trigger wire and stem was of different sizes.

2) I didn't test the weed-eater as per mr Roff, due to shared concerns of MarkM.

Below is what I came up with.

Pic 1: Original - Purple cam

Pic 2: Solution 1 - Green cam, cable straight through the cam-lobe. Concerns are metal fatigue where the cable and lobe meet.

Pic 3, Pic 4: Solution 2: Improved. Green cam. Silver Cam. Original stem bent and attached to cable.
This stem can be replaced with a 1,5mm Diam, spyker.

Pic 5: Same solution, different brand.

.... Continued

Pic 3, Pic 4: Solution 2: Improved. Green cam. Silver Cam. Original stem bent and attached to cable.
This stem can be replaced with a 1,5mm Diam, spyker.

Pic 5: Same solution, different brand.

So considering that DMM will not supply replacement trigger wires any more, can anybody confirm that Black Diamond still does?

Nice one!

The only potential issues I see are those little wire loops catching on things.
Also, I would think that the pure cable solution may wear fairly quick.

I'm surprised that you could not get a good connection between a straight bit of wire and the cable.

BD carries C4 trigger kits as a standard stock holding in RSA, however as they are a slower moving item we may from time to time be out of certain sizes. if you unlucky enough to have the need for one during these periods we get shipments from BD monthly, meaning you shouldn’t wait too long for stock of a given size. With repsect to C3 trigger kits we have not as yet had a request for one, and as the trigger is so enclosed within the device we suspect this statement will remain true for a while.

I am sorry to hear about the DMM service issues: fortunately there are other brands who do offer these after sale service solutions to their customers.

Regards