Abstract: The present invention provides an improved control system for a driven cable reel mounted on a vehicle wherein the reel is adapted to pay-in and pay-out electrical cable to supply power to the vehicle, such as a mine car. The control system modifies the torque supplied by the reel drive so as to maintain a relatively constant tension on the cable. The improved control system has a first or basic output which provides higher torque when the reel is paying in cable and provides lower torque when the reel is paying out cable, the difference in drive torque being necessary to compensate for the reversal of frictional characteristics during paying in and paying out of the cable. The control system further provides a transient condition output signal to modulate the drive of the cable reel in a manner which compensates for acceleration and deceleration of the cable reel to reduce cable slack and prevent a sudden increase in cable tension which could cause cable breakage.