[TowerTalk] Failed Limit Switches on Crank-up Tower

Jeff Singer k2kv@reallybig.com
Tue, 26 Oct 1999 11:32:21 -0400


So, this discussion begs the question - what will actually happen if the
limit switches fail, at top and/or bottom??

73 de Jeff K2KV
k2kv@reallybig.com

http://reallybig.com - "The Complete Resource for All Web Builders"


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
> [mailto:owner-towertalk@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Dick Flanagan
> Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 1999 12:54 AM
> To: Frederick Toth; Tower-Talk Reflector
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Failed Limit Switches on Crank-up Tower
>
>
>
> >Today I replaced the limit switches on my 72 foot motorized crank-up
> >tower from US Tower. The lower one failed first, fortunately.  (The
> >limit switches automatically turn the tower motor off when the tower
> >telescopes to its limits - up or down). When I opened up them up, I
> >found that they were very badly corroded   - to the extent of what you
> >might see if a battery had leaked inside them. I was surprised to see
> >the extent of corrosion because I have owned the tower for less than
> >three years.
> >
> >Has anyone found a way to get a longer lifespan out of these switches?
> >They cost $130 each to replace.
>
> I had the exact same problem with one of my limit switches, but Bruce
> at US Tower was nice enough to replace it under warranty.
>
> What had happened in my case was the tower had lain on its side over a
> rainy winter before I could install it.  With the tower on its side,
> one of the switches had its control cable (and the hold through which
> it enters the switch) pointing skyward.  Rain water ran down the cable,
> through the hole and completely corroded the inside of the switch.
>
> I have added an internal inspection of both limit switches to my annual
> inspection routine and have taken care to waterproof where the cable
> enters the switchs.
>
> 73, Dick
>
> --
> Dick Flanagan W6OLD CFII Minden, Nevada DM09db (South of Reno)
> Visit http://www.qsl.net/cvrc/
>
>
>
> --
> FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
> Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
> Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
> Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com
> Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm
>


--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm