[Towertalk] T2X Start cap at tower base?

Wendell Wyly W5FL wendell@wyly.org
Wed, 14 Aug 2002 14:51:08 -0500


The purpose of the Capacitor is NOT a start capacitor.  It is a phase shift
capacitor to get as close to 90 degrees phase shift between the winding
phases in order to make the motor run as a two phase a.c. servomotor.  This
allows high starting torque and good running torque as well as constant
speed.  There is significant leeway in the exact capacitor value, but I
would not recommend putting two capacitors in parallel.

The best place for the capacitor is close to the motor.  I usually just
mount a plastic box a couple of feet below the rotator and use a capacitor
with lugs with the wires running up through a hole in the bottom of the box
with a drip loop.  I have never had to replace a capacitor, but it is easy
to do this way.

-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-admin@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-admin@contesting.com]On Behalf Of David Jordan
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 1:46 PM
To: Mike Gilmer, N2MG
Cc: towertalk@contesting.com; k1uo@prexar.com
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] T2X Start cap at tower base?


Why are folks disconnecting the cap inside the control head?  twice the
capacitance isn't going to hurt
anything as best I can tell.