The T2X wedge binding is SOP (standard operating procedure). I use a Green
Heron and even with its special software that delays the rotation from the
wedge brake retract (300 milliseconds) and then issues a counter rotation
command (10 degrees) before executing the desired rotation - the wedge brake
still sticks every so often. If the wind binds the wedge in the same
direction as the counter rotation command, it can still bind. So about 20%
of the time, the Green Heron will fail to rotate the T2X but beating on it a
few times or issuing a counter rotation to the counter rotation will
un-stick it. The T2X is also compensated by the Green Heron by the T2X's
lousy rotation resolution ( +/- 6 degrees) so the Green Heron won't display
tenths of a degree available in other rotators. The Green Heron also
provides for user input of the brake engage (up to 5.9 seconds) which I
still don't find to be long enough with my 3-element 40 Meter beam.
Hurricane Ike cracked the wedge brake but the rotator still held the beam in
place even though the elements rotated on the mast so the rotator is
stronger than the beam in high wind situations. But brake sticking is just
a normal outcome of the design. Ken K5RG
Message: 7
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:47:13 -0800 (PST)
From: Jack Berry <we5st@yahoo.com>
To: "towertalk@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] T2X Sticking
Message-ID:
<1354034833.68390.YahooMailNeo@web141602.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Had the same issue with my T2X. I installed the Rotor-EZ board in the
controller and have not had the problem a single time in the many months
since I installed it. It's made by a company called Idiom Press (Full
disclosure - I have no connection to them).
The board modifies the hy-gain controller with features that go way beyond
just preventing the sticking you mention. To prevent sticking, a brief
command is issued to bump the rotator in the opposite direction and then a
second later it turns to the preset you entered. The calibration knob is
used to set the desired bearing heading when not using software to set the
heading. The paddles retain the same function.?
I use it with DXLabs logging software and together they make it a "point and
click" controller like a Green Heron.
The only down side is the instructions for installation - a little sketchy
but manageable. Well worth the effort in my opinion.
73,
Jack - WE5ST
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:18:28 -0500
From: Mike <k4gmh@arrl.net>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] T2X Sticking
Message-ID:
??? <CAOfCAiK0-_qYSfuo-Xc=3e2LPCFqyv816wP9dqd=Y9yd9ngk+w@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hello,
What can be causing my T2X to stop turning after a high wind gust?
Have a T2X that won't turn after experiencing a strong, more than 30 MPH,
wind.? Then a day or two later the wind has subsided and the T2X starts to
turn.? For example, on Saturday gusts were up to 45 MPH.? The T2X stopped
turning after the high winds subsided (didn't try to turn the T2X in the
high wind).? On Friday, the T2X did turn okay (low winds - 10 MPH max.).
Sunday evening with calm conditions, wind 10 MPH max., the T2X turned okay.?
This no turn scenario has happened other times.
Do not try to turn the T2X when the wind is strong.? When do try to turn the
T2X, release the brake, try to turn it CCW and the CW.? Neither direction
works until after a day or two of relatively quiet winds.
The T2X is at 120 ft on the tower and approx. another75 feet to the shack.
Use 12 gauge wire for supplying power to release the solenoid in the T2X and
14 gauge for motor and sensor.? The phase reversal capacitor is located at
the rotor.? The solenoid voltage out of the controller is as expected (don't
remember exactly the value, but was within spec.).
Any help on figuring out the problem will be helpful.
? 73,
? Mike, K4GMH
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