[TowerTalk] Identify Rotator??

[Bill Coleman AA4LR]

On 7/8/97 6:37, Ken Freedman at n1qqv@cshore.com wrote:

>It's composed of two major castings, a top (bell shaped) with u-bolts for a
>mast, and a bottom with u-bolts for a mast. Two smaller castings combine to
>form a double row thrust bearing with 6 captive balls on each side and the
>carrier for the stamped gears and a 4 pole (AC?) motor.  There is no brake.
> There is a pivoting mechanical stop that acts on the ring gear and allows
>about 115 degrees of rotation.
>
>Internally, on the side of the motor, there is a paper label that has
>written on it: 50374 08   CDE 1077 602.  It uses 4 wires: 2 plus a common
>for the motor and 1 (with common) for a pair of contact points.

This is a CDE AR series rotator. It should allow almost 400 degrees of 
rotation.

>This doesn't look like anything I would want to use on the top of the tower
>I'm putting up!  On the other hand, it might be useful for lighter duty if
>I can get it to run.  Can anyone tell me what it is, and maybe what voltage
>it runs on??

It runs on like 30 volts AC. The contact points trip about every 6 
degrees that move a mechcanical pointer in the control box. The control 
box is an electro-mechanical marvel with virtually no electronics other 
than a transformer and starting capacitor. The braking action is 
accomplished due to the friction of the reduction gearing.

I used one for over 8 years turning a Butternut HF4B, then an A3S. The 
rotator was nearly 20 years old when I got it. It's actually not a bad 
light-duty rotator. Mine had no support or side loads, since it was 
mounted 4 feet below a thrust bearing on a 6 foot roof tower.

It became useless to me after I moved and decided not to use a roof tower 
anymore. (instead, I'm towerless for the moment) I sold the rotator and 
box for $35 at a hamfest.



Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr@radio.org
Quote: "Not in a thousand years will man ever fly!"
            -- Wilbur Wright, 1901


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