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[TowerTalk] FW: T2X rotor stuck

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Subject: [TowerTalk] FW: T2X rotor stuck
From: "Matt" <maflukey@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2016 09:38:50 -0500
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Hi Earl,

Hope all is well with you.   I know that early versions of the T2X had some
issues with the brake wedge sticking and failing to retract upon solenoid
release.   This could cause some rotors to inadvertently lock up.  The T2X
brake wedge design was revised sometime around 1983 to correct this issue.
I have two tailtwisters, one is an early model and one is a later model.
>From memory, I seem to remember that the face of later wedge had a little
pit of vertical taper which was not apparent in the earlier version.  I also
seem to recall that the linkage mechanism may have been a little different
in a way that would give a little "pop" on the wedge as the solenoid
disengaged.  I have not personally upgraded the brake wedge on the earlier
model because I have not (yet) experienced the sticking problem...

Anyway, hope this is helpful and good luck.

Take care.
Matt
KM5VI



-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Earl
Morse
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2016 7:27 AM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] T2X rotor stuck

Mine does that all the time, especially if I haven't been in the shack for a
while.  First time it did it I changed it out only to find out that it
worked flawlessy on the bench.  The sticking doesn't seem to be related to
end of rotation but rather just not having been used in a while.

I think a little pressure on the brake wedge holds it in the brake cog.
Have someone release the brake while you go outside and see if you can hear
the clank of the brake dropping.  If so, then the brake is good and you have
something going on with the motor.

I have had good luck with telegraphing the brake while rocking the rotor
with the CW/CCW switches to get the brake to drop out.  It's a hassle but so
is climbing the tower and changing out the rotor.

As for preventing it, I guess you could grease the cog but if the grease
sets up it will make it even harder to retract.

Earl
N8SS

> 
>> On 10/3/2016 7:19 PM, Mike wrote:
>> Hello,
>> 
>> Got a T2X rotor hung up in the south position.  Can not get it free 
>> by trying to get the rotor to move in the other direction or even 
>> trying to go in the initial direction that got it stuck and then 
>> quickly going in the reverse direction.
>> 
>> My rotor is near the top of a 130 ft tower.  The phase reversal 
>> capacitor is located next to the rotor eliminating being able to 
>> bypass the rotation safety switches.
>> 
>> I do have a backup T2X, but would be nice to free up the stuck rotor 
>> so wouldn't have to climb.  Any suggestions on what can be done from 
>> the ground to free up the rotor?
>> 
>> Also, any suggestions on how to keep the rotor sticking in the south 
>> position from reoccurring?
>> 
>>   73,
>>   Mike, K4GMH
>> _______________________________________________
>> 
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