Would setting 1 of 4 centrifugal brakes on harm anything?

[Fishthunder]

I have Lew's KVD 8.3:1. I have been using it a good bit lately. Had to change out the line several times. I first had the centrifugal brakes set to 2 off and 2 on. That is what I have seen most people recommend. Opposite of each other. I noticed that the casting distance had changed and got worse. I turned off all the centrifugal brakes and no matter what I did I would get backlashes. I turned 2 back on and same issue with distance. I then just turned on 1 centrifugal brake and that was the sweet spot, way further. My casts were like they were when I first got the reel. Is there anyway anything could get damaged or cause harm from only having 1 centrifugal brake on?

[PhishLI]

Have you ever cleaned then lubed the friction ring where the blocks make contact? Alcohol on a q-tip will clean the ring and brake-block tips. A small drop of oil on the ring is all you need, then wipe it off with a fresh q-tip. A drop of oil on the spool bearing and removeable sideplate bearing while you're at it should get it back in shape. When performance drops off again repeat the process. This depends on how much you fish, not time.

 

If you don't have reel oil, this does the trick.

Amazon.com : Daiwa 64110100 Reel Oiler, One Size : Fishing Reel Care Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

[FrnkNsteen]

^^Good advice

 

There are some that think that putting one brake on can throw your spool out of balance on the cast and suggest you only turn on brakes that are opposite of each other for balance.

 

I dont happen to buy into that and think you can turn on just 1 with no issues. I mean if that were true, on a 4 brake reel, you would only have three settings.... None on, 2 opposed shoes on, or all 4 on.

 

Do what works for you.... I don't think you will hurt a thing, but keeping the brakes and ring clean as Phish suggested is good advice to follow.

[Mike L]

If you’re gonna use 1, I would rotate each brake every season to help them wear evenly 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Woody B]

I use one on my Shimano SLX XT and MGL 70.  

[ironbjorn]

There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to brakes. Skill level, conditions, and what you're doing determines what brake settings you use.

 

If they're being funky, that's a different story.

[Fishthunder]

9 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Have you ever cleaned then lubed the friction ring where the blocks make contact?

 

Not yet I got the reel at the end of July this year. I did notice some green junk around the line guide though.

[WRB]

1 brake on and 3 off will not harm the reel.

Dirt debris on the level wind line guide can slow down the line, keep the reel clean.

I use CLP Brake Free for light cleaning and oiling. 2 oz squeeze bottle with straw tube will last a very long time. Drop on level wind worm gear occasionally and spool shaft ends is that is needed.

Tom

[PhishLI]

 

10 hours ago, Fishthunder said:

I did notice some green junk around the line guide though.

That's a small factor compared to the change in performance you're talking about, but it's worth it to keep your line guide clean regardless.

10 hours ago, Fishthunder said:

I got the reel at the end of July this year.

Doesn't matter that you got it recently either. It might've been dry to begin with. What you're describing is dry centrifugal brakes. A quick clean and lube every 4th full-session or so will keep braking performance consistent, or whenever you feel things begin to change, it's time. This only takes maybe two minutes tops. BTW, if you don't perform this simple maintenance, plastic fines shed from the brake blocks due to lack of lube will act as lapping grit, and when combined with the pressure from the blocks it'll begin to cut a groove into the brass friction ring. Whether it's Lew's MSB braking, or the older ABU Infini, they're the same brake system and require the same treatment for best performance.

[Fishthunder]

I was in a hurry and just put water on a few cotton swabs and cleaned everywhere I could and that solved the problem lol. It cast smoother and further than it did when I first got it lol. I am going to order some of Lew's oil and cleaning solution. Can you use just regular reel oil instead of Lew's (SBC1) Speed Brake Centrifugal Brake Cleaner on the centrifugal brakes? I would like to buy something that can be used for all reels or does not cost so much like Ardent or Penn. A local Walmart had reel oil and grease in a pack for like 2 dollars lol.

[WRB]

As I noted at the beginning of this thread CLP Break Free cleaner and lubrication is ideal for exterior level wind worm gear cleaner and lubricant, plus adding a drop on spool end shafts occasionally.

Cleaning your breaks, simply use alcohol and a Q-Tip then a swipe of ReelX oil. 

Bearings should be cleaned with a good cleaner ideally ultra sonic but Acetone works OK but not on plastic bearing shields.

ReelX is inexpensive and excellent reel oil for bearings.   

Remember you only use a drop of oil so a 1 oz bottle last a very long time.

Tom

[Bankc]

I've ran just one brake many times, as well as many other combinations where the spool is unbalanced.  In theory, it's best to keep it balanced.  But in practice, it won't make much of a difference if it isn't. 

 

Like Mike L. said, it's probably best to rotate them.  Spread the wear out.  Or do like me, and wind up changing them semi-often for other reasons.  Even my best "set and forget" reels get tweaked several times a year due to changes in weather or aging lubrication.  

[Dye99]

I run a couple reels with only one brake for a while now. But like already said I change it up to get even wear.

[dodgeguy]

On 9/9/2023 at 1:34 PM, Fishthunder said:

I have Lew's KVD 8.3:1. I have been using it a good bit lately. Had to change out the line several times. I first had the centrifugal brakes set to 2 off and 2 on. That is what I have seen most people recommend. Opposite of each other. I noticed that the casting distance had changed and got worse. I turned off all the centrifugal brakes and no matter what I did I would get backlashes. I turned 2 back on and same issue with distance. I then just turned on 1 centrifugal brake and that was the sweet spot, way further. My casts were like they were when I first got the reel. Is there anyway anything could get damaged or cause harm from only having 1 centrifugal brake on?

No !!!!! You have msb brakes. That's 3 different brakes. The first is spool tension. It's the knob on the handle side. It adjusts spool bearing preload. Most beginners have it set so the lure drops slowly with rod straight out. I like mine loose with a hair of side to side play in the spool.the second is the dial on the palming side.it adjusts your magnets.it works during the entire cast. The third is your centrifugal.. it works at the front of the cast and backs off as the spool slows. Depending on where you are fluffing determines which brake to use.The idea of unbalanced braking is utter bs. It's just not noticable.

[Alex from GA]

I have a couple of Shimano Bantam 100s that have 2 centrifugal brakes on a pin on the spool shaft.  There are different weight brakes that slide on the pin and I took one off to try and it works fine.  They're easy to lose as they slide off the pin so I have to take the reel apart with the brake side up.  Todays reels are much more user friendly.