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Re: [TowerTalk] Prop Pitch operating characteristics

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Prop Pitch operating characteristics
From: Leeson <leeson@earthlink.net>
Reply-to: leeson@earthlink.net
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 16:58:42 -0700
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
For a start, see https://web.archive.org/web/20200711193004/https://k7nv.com/notebook/ppinfo/

See also https://ve3vn.blogspot.com/2015/11/choices-on-adapting-prop-pitch-motors.html: "On a bench test one drew 8 A and the other drew 7 A at 24 VDC."

An interesting idea for using series resistors to reduce startup surge is at http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/NewMotor.htm

See also https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=5837 comments by AC8DE: "I hadn't considered the high current required by a prop pitch with a 280' wire run and how that affected voltage drop and wire gauge. The minimum wire I could go with was 10 gauge, which causes a 10% voltage drop at nominal current draw of 5 amps. At the peak amps of 8, it hits 17%, but I expect that we will never see that because we will keep the ramp rate pretty low."

Because my towers are some 400 feet from the shack, I built a remote power setup at the tower with a transformer 24 volt supply and relays. Because the motor is a DC type, the relays are wired to present a short when not rotating, which acts as a brake. Kurt made me a special mast connector with a rubber torque isolator (I have blueprints), which has worked brilliantly in our storms with gusts over 120 mi/h. I run Romex cable from the supply to the rotator.

See also https://www.greenheronengineering.com/product/rotator-controller-prop-pitch/
https://www.greenheronengineering.com/product/prop-pitch-28vdc-motor-rpu/
http://www.zs6p.com/PPM_gearbox-sketches_and_notes.pdf

If I have more info, I'll dig it out and provide it. I had a physical copy of the Section 12, Curtiss Wright 1943 Hollow Steel Blade Propeller (3 Blade) Service Manual that I shared with Kurt K7NV, but I don't have a scan. See https://app.aircorpslibrary.com/document/viewer/11a5e262-f115-4949-bbe5-8d3ab3803e59 and https://www.ebay.com/itm/275383055212

73 de Dave, W6NL/HC8L

On 3/17/24 6:40 PM, Bob via TowerTalk wrote:
Hi Norm,
This is Bob Schaefer K6OSM and I used a PP motor on a Hornet tri-band beam back 
in the late 50's. I will look in my files to see what I can find on these 
motors. I do recall that the elapsed time for a complete turn was close to a 
full minute. I live in Gardnerville and Kurt lived in the adjoining town of 
Minden, I never made personal contact with Kurt but exchanged info with him 
when I lived in Idaho. I still have four PP motors and will see if I can find 
anything that will help you.Bob K6OSM
In a message dated 3/16/2024 10:29:49 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
npalex@bellsouth.net writes:
Hopefully there are some TowerTalk participants that are using PropPitch rotor systems.  I am looking for some operating characteristics relating to supply voltage, 
currents and rotation speed (time to do 360*).  I have been a prop pitch user for many years and my 'go to' in the past on such questions would be Kurt K7NV now SK 
or Joel K2QVB also a SK. My prop pitch dates back to W0MLY Dick Mckercher, DXer of the 50's and 60' and creator of Antenna Mart products.  That is the 
background - Specifically I am look for the DC voltage at the 'controller' and the voltage underload at the PP motor.  What is the 'start-up' surge current and the 
steady state 'run' current.  Those using Kurt's Green Heron controller, results may be different as it supplies is PWM ramp up and down, but the 'run' levels 
will be "DC" and useful data.  Finally is there anyone who has the working knowledge of Prop Pitch assemblies, or maybe have access to the 
information that Kurt accumulated the could be made available us PropPitch users?Looking for some help --Norm W4QN |  | Virus-free.www.avast.com 
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