From removal of the old canopy to installation of the new replacement for my Hampton Bay cantilever umbrella, I share my 'one person' DIY replacement of this 11-foot, 8-rib umbrella canopy. And I also find out that the Formosa canopy's 'tie-around' fabric straps are 'on the rib line' not 'in between ribs' as is the OEM fabric canopy. While not a functional issue, having the tie-around straps 'on rib' didn't allow me to use those straps to tie the canopy to the support mast; a way I found to keep the umbrella from 'swaying in the wind.' So..... after installing the canopy I went back up to the top of the umbrella and unfastened the tie-down and velcro. I rotated the canopy fabric to see if I could re-align the tie-down straps to the vertical mast support. I couldn’t. First, the two ribs have to be on either side of the mast support as that’s the needed orientation of the canopy so that it will fit properly. Rotating a rib to align with the mast wouldn’t allow the umbrella to rest in a ‘parallel position to ground.’ So as for rotating the umbrella ribs, that isn’t the answer. What's needed is for the fabric straps to be sewn 'in between' any two ribs. Then you can use those straps to secure the umbrella. I then called Formosa Covers customer service and shared my information. The umbrella manufacturer's canopy straps are ‘in between’ ribs, as opposed to the Formosa canopy’s strap location 'on the rib line.' Formosa customer service understood, and said they'd review and evaluate. To be fair, it is possible that this strap-location issue only applies to this particular manufacturer's umbrella and just this model. I don't know. Other umbrella manufacturer's cantilever umbrella ribs may accept and align differently with the Formosa fabric canopy straps. (?)
4 окт 2024
