I do not believe you can make a blanket statement like that.
I do not buy for one minute that pressure on the rotor is needed
for sealing, or any reason. The use of two thrust bearings is ideal,
as this removes ALL weight and keeps the mast centered in high
winds.
IMHO, the less work a rotor is required to do, the longer it will last.
(((73)))
Phil, K5PC
>
>Hello Jack,
>As reported in prior posts, having some weight on the rotator is a good
>thing, as they are designed for a vertical load, which helps keep their
>bearings seated and wearing evenly. This also seems to help them resist
>lateral loads from wind, which try to push the mast back-and-forth down at
>the rotator level. Just be sure you are not over-loading the rotator
>weight-wise.
>What I did was to install a second thrust bearing above the rotator.
>During normal operation, I have the clamping bolts tight on the upper thrust
>bearing and loose on the lower bearing, with all the weight being taken by
>the rotator (I also have a Yaesu 800 SDX). For maintenance, I lift the mast
>and antenna assembly up just enough to clear the rotator, and tighten the
>clamp bolts on both bearings to hold it in place. Then I can remove the
>rotator.
>
>--...MARK_N1LO...--
>
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