[TowerTalk] Garage door opener rotator

Jim Pruitt amburch@owt.com
Sat, 26 Apr 1997 06:32:40 -0700


I too would like to know why 110vac to the rotor is so taboo?  I have a
HyGain 400 rotobrake of early 70's vintange and it uses 110vac. It was a
very popular rotor of its time and I understand that it is still a favorite
for the semi serious dxer and the wanna be dxers like myself.   Building
code seems to be much more rigid and specific about the installation of
110vac (and higher) compared to the loose code category 24vac sprinkler
wiring that most rotors use these days.  One inspector even went so far as
to tell me that I had to run the 110 inside of its own conduit up the tower
and could not run it inside the 8 conductor rotor cable (in conduit).
Because I have the HyGain 400 and would like to use it, what are the current
code requirements for powering it?  Why is 110 such a taboo?  Am I in the
minority in also putting a yard light (that uses 110) on a tower?

Thank you.

Jim Pruitt, WA7DUY


At 04:09 PM 4/19/97 +0100, Bob Naumann N5NJ wrote:
>I'm curious about this fear of 110(120v) on towers.  I have done commercial
>work on towers and as someone correctly stated, the lights are 120 minimum,
>some 240v.  Also, at K2GL's place back in the late 70's / early 80's, we
>had a rotor for the 4 el KLM 80 @ 200' that was run on 240v.  This thing
>weighed in at 600lbs!  Sheesh!  What a job that was getting it up there!  
>It was built to fit into Rohn 80 and did.  The rotor control box used a
>beautiful selsyn operated indicator and huge open frame relays switching
>the 240v.  The mast in this rotor was 5"dia. 1/2 wall steel.  I believe it
>was really meant to turn military type log periodics.
>
>The point is, 120 or any other voltage needs to be installed safely.  On a
>tower, that means in conduit with appropriate clamps.  Either rigid steel
>pipe (preferred) or with EMT and compression fittings to reduce water
>problems and water resistant (outdoor) boxes and housings.
>
>73,
>Bob Naumann N5NJ
>
>----------
>> From: Chuck Dietz (KE5FI) <ke5fi@wt.net>
>> To: John D. Peters <k1er@gte.net>
>> Cc: Kris Mraz, N5KM <mraz@rockdal.aud.alcatel.com>;
>towertalk@contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Garage door opener rotator
>> Date: Thursday, April 10, 1997 05:33
>> 
>> John D. Peters wrote:
>> > 
>> > Kris Mraz, N5KM wrote:
>> > >
>> > > I thought 110VAC on towers was a "no no".
>> > > --
>> > >
>> > > 73
>> > > Kris N5KM
>> > > mailto: mraz@aud.alcatel.com
>> > >
>> > > --
>> > > FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
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>> > 
>> > Why would "110V on a tower" be a no no?????  
>> 
>> -snip-
>> > 
>> > What possible reason would anyone cite for not using 110V on a tower?
>> >
>> -snip-
>> 
>> I agree... I will use a 440 volt motor on the 4 over 4 80 meter stack I
>> am going to put up some day...
>> 
>> Some day...
>> 
>> Sure ur rite!  I'll be electrocuted just THINKING about it!
>> 
>> Chuck, KE5FI
>> 
>> --
>> FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
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>
>--
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>
>



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