[TowerTalk] Tailtwister Problem

[Ed Gray]

I got several responses in regards to wire size, limit switches, etc. but
as I said on my test bench I used 3 foot of wire between my control box and
the rotor.  I got to the point where I unsoldered the motor leads and
hooked the AC capacitor right across the leads and then feed 28 VAC direct
to the motor.  When I fed what I would call the CW leg and ground it has
all kinds of torgue.  When I fed the CCW leg it turns but has very little
torgue.  As far as I can tell the other leg just floats.  If I am wrong on
this let me know!  Even if I am wrong on this it still would not explain
why CW works great and CCW has no torque.

To me it has to be a "SECOND" bad motor or the gear train drags going CCW
but not CW.  In regards to the latter I don't see how that can be and I
confirm that by rotating the gears by hand they seem to turn equally as
well either way.  Has anyone ever had a problem with good rotation one way
and not the other?  I know what a bad gear is like.  It often will "BIND
UP".  I have carefully checked the gear and they rotate from stop to stop
without any noticeable change in drag, ie motor changes "pitch".  As I said
I confirm this by a hand rotation from stop to stop.

I think my next step is to take my ohm meter and check each winding
resistance of a motor that is working and then check these two that are
giving me trouble.   I about have myself convinced I got two band motors in
a row with a bad CCW winding.

I have six tailtwisters, a prop pitch and 3 tic ring and I though I
understood these rotors pretty well but this one had me going!  It is one
of those times when you think you have eliminated everything and you just
can't believe it won't work.  I obviously am missing something easy!

Thanks for the input!

73, Ed W0SD

Ed Gray McCook County Extension Educator-Marketing/Farm Management 
Box 130
130 East Essex
Salem, SD 57058-0130

Office phone 605 425 2242
FAX             605 425 3144


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