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Re: [TowerTalk] T2X Multiple failures, fix?

To: w6nws@arrl.net,towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] T2X Multiple failures, fix?
From: W4AAW@aol.com via TowerTalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
Reply-to: W4AAW@aol.com <W4AAW@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2017 10:58:59 -0500
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
So does Rotor EZ.  Not sure who copied whom.



Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE Smartphone

----- Reply message -----
From: "Larry" <lknain@nc.rr.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] T2X Multiple failures, fix?
Date: Sun, Feb 19, 2017 10:55 AM

Regarding the sticking brake: The Green Heron control box will attempt 
to turn very briefly the T2X the opposite direction from the desired 
rotation to assist getting the brake free. It was done because the 
sticking brake was such a well known problem.

73, Larry W6NWS


On 2/19/2017 9:08 AM, Gene K5GS wrote:
>
> Over the years there were at least 2 different brake designs for the 
> bell housing type rotors from CDE / Hygain that used a brake.
>
> The older wedge was a V tip while the newer design is a rectangular 
> tip, each used different a lower bell housing to accommodate the 
> different wedge architecture, both wedge designs have drawbacks.
>
> Under high wind conditions the V style would slip and over time 
> destroy the lower bell housing by flattening / wearing the detent 
> notches. The newer style is less prone to slipping, but it does have a 
> tendency to stick and the solenoid will not retract the wedge.
>
> The T2X brake is known for sticking, as stated below rocking the 
> antenna will usually un-stick the brake. The EZ Rotor option sold by 
> Hamsupply.com (formerly Idiom Press) solves the sticking problem.
>
> "Rotor-EZ protects your rotator, with electronic end stops, provision 
> for coasting, and start-up jam prevention, especially useful for 
> TailTwisters. You lose no utility with these features, but add 
> significant protection for your rotator, antenna and tower.  These 
> features can be bypassed if desired."
>
> I installed one of these options on a T2X that turned a F-12 C-4XL and 
> later a C3 and Cushcraft 2 element 40, it worked perfectly. The tower 
> was installed in Colorado at a very windy 9,200 feet, never a problem 
> with the T2X brake sticking.
>
> https://www.hamsupply.com/rotor-ez-hy-gain-rotor-control/
>
> Cheers,
> Gene K5GS
>
> On 2/18/2017 8:44 PM, Earl Morse wrote:
>>>
>>> Dave,
>>>
>> The typical HAMIV and T2X rotators have 3 separate systems inside 
>> them.  A
>> 500 ohm potentiometer to determine position, a motor and gear box to 
>> turn
>> the thing, and a brake solenoid that pulls a brake wedge out of cogs 
>> in the
>> housing sides to allow the rotator to turn.  You only mention that the
>> brake is repaired each time you send it out so I am assuming that the 
>> motor
>> and potentiometer are still good.
>>
>> Due to the way the brake wedge is designed they tend to hang up if the
>> antenna is twisting in the breeze and puts any pressure on the brake 
>> wedge
>> pushing it against the cogs and making it hard to retract and free the
>> rotator to spin.  If you suspect that the brake is hanging you can 
>> listen
>> for it as it makes a distinct clank when the solenoid pulls it in.
>>
>> If it hangs up, sometimes you can free it up by telegraphing the brake
>> lever while rocking the  CCW and CW levers in an attempt to hammer the
>> brake out of the cog if it stuck.
>>
>> One thing you might want to check is the size of your rotor cable to 
>> make
>> sure you have the right size conductors for the length of run you 
>> have out
>> to and up the tower.  If the wire is too small, it will limit current to
>> the motor and brake making it turn slower or making the brake harder to
>> retract.
>>
>> Earl
>> N8SS
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>>
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