Re: [TowerTalk] Yaesu G-800-S Rotator Question

[Pete Smith <n4zr@contesting.com>]

At 04:21 PM 1/19/2005, Pat Barthelow wrote:

> The control box of our GS-800S rotator is not very user friendly, 
> demanding attention for the duration of the rotation of the beam.  The 
> rotation speed though, is great...seems twice as fast as say, a Hygain Ham 
> series...   If you are swinging the beam a long fraction of a circlel, get 
> distracted,  and forget to stop at the desired heading, the rotator goes 
> to the mechanical stop and, stops.  The LEFT -RIGHT rotate switch is still 
> depressed, with a mechanical latch.
>
>
> Question 1:
> If the switch is still depressed, when the rotor comes to it's mechanical 
> limit stop, does the motor turn off, or does it continue to try to crank 
> against the stop?


Funny you should mention this.  I just posted another message on the 
subject.  Honestly can't tell if the motor shuts itself off (maybe some 
sort of thermal cut-off) but I have accidentally left it with the switch on 
against the stop for hours without damage.  Are DC motors different?


> Question 2:
> The left-right rotate  rocker switch is bumped to the center posiition to 
> stop rotation.  there is a weak detent between the three positions 
> available to the switch.  If you are rotating clockwise and bump just a 
> little too hard to center, off position, the switch  may end up in counter 
> clockwise rotation, instantaneously.  If that happens, does the rotator 
> have any delays, or graceful,safe  way to reverse direction without 
> putting huge stresses on the mechanicals?   If not,  I can see easily 
> stripped gears, broken rotors, etc.. Yaesu service and  parts makes extra 
> money....

I suspect this problem is theoretical rather than actual, but maybe someone 
who knows more about DC motors can comment.  I have had my G-800 for 5 
years and am sure I have done what you describe any number of times without 
evident damage.  Maybe there is some sequencing or delay in the controller.

I have thought seriously about swapping the locking switch for the 
non-locking variety.  I believe that the G-800 DXA (preset model) has a 
non-locking switch (my G-1000DXA does) and it should not be hard to change 
it out.  I sort of wish I'd spent the $50 additional for the preset model.

73, Pete N4ZR  

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