[Towertalk] Heavy winds...

kb9cry@attbi.com kb9cry@attbi.com
Tue, 23 Apr 2002 16:55:02 +0000


Mike, I'm not sure about the effectiveness of the second 
bearing.  It would lessen any sideways forces on the 
rotator but it would not reduce any twisting forces that 
are transmitted from the mast to the rotator, as long as 
the brake held up.  I believe these are the forces that 
loosened my bolts up.  The holes in the rotator plate 
were not opened up any; all I could think of is that the 
twisting moment, along with the vibration of the wind 
whistling in the elements, caused the bolts to literally 
back their way out.  The two that I found on the ground 
had no damage at all; one would think that if they 
loosened due to a sideways force, there would be damage 
to the threads.  Also, the HyGain rotator body is 
aluminum and the bolt fit in the threaded hole is kinda 
sloppy.  Phil  KB9CRY
> All this talk of loosened (presumably by heavy winds) 
> rotator bolts has me thinking... would not the 
> presence of a second thrust bearing (between the main 
> thrust bearing and the rotator) practically eliminate 
> this problem?
> 
> Either way, it seems that applying the removable kind 
> of Loctite is a wise move.
> 
> Mike N2MG
> 
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