[TowerTalk] US Tower Motor Winch in Winter

Dick Flanagan dick@libelle.com
Fri, 03 Dec 1999 08:30:36 -0800


This morning for the first time in the almost two years I've had my US 
Tower HDX572-MDPL installed, I was unable to raise the tower up because of 
what appeared to be excessively cold temperatures.  When I turned on the 
motorized winch, everything moved VERY slowly for about ten seconds before 
the circuit breaker feeding the motor tripped.

Everything moved -- the tower didn't appear jammed or stuck -- but ver-r-ry 
slowly.  Are there any known problems with the gear box or cable drum 
getting cold soaked and becoming too stiff for the motor to turn?  The 
temps weren't THAT cold, perhaps 10 degrees F, and I don't recall having 
this problem last Winter.

If this is a common or at least a known problem, are there ways to keep the 
affected components warm in the Winter.  Heat tape or blankets or ? . . .

73, Dick
--
Dick Flanagan W6OLD CFII Minden, Nevada (South of Reno)
Visit http://www.cvrc.net/

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