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Re: [TowerTalk] Rotator Lightning Protection

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Rotator Lightning Protection
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <lists@subich.com>
Date: Fri, 15 May 2015 12:17:34 -0400
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I'd be most tempted to install contactors in both "rotate"
leads that were only closed when turning the antenna.  Consider
making your "common" disconnect a three pole device.

73,

  ... Joe, W4TV


On 2015-05-15 11:15 AM, Paul Christensen wrote:
Jim,

"what about mechanical limit switches on the rotator motor?"

A possibility but that's probably best done when these units are back on
the ground for service.  That shouldn’t be for quite a long time.

"Since it's a DC motor, you put a diode in series with each of the two
switches, which are then paralleled."

Maybe I'm just being dense this morning, but I don’t see how a
series/parallel diode combination helps in this case.  I just drew-out
the electrical diagram but don't see how the diode would limit current
during an MOV fault while still allowing rotator current during a normal
turning operation.

A bit more info:  The prop pitch uses two windings: one for CW and the
other for CCW.  A common lead connects to the ends of each and
ultimately, this common lead routes to the controller's MOSFET.  The M2
controller uses a P&B frame relay that directs +48V to either the CW or
CCW winding, depending on the called direction.  The relay's NC contacts
are on one or the other windings.  I forgot which.  But the MOV failure
would result in current in this NC winding since its connected to +48V
via the NC relay contact.

Paul, W9AC


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