[TowerTalk] CDE Ham II

[Steve]

Thanks Bill and also Brad, W9FX, for the advice.

The lubricant is smooth and slippery, no grit or caking. I'll take that 
as a good sign and go with it.

73,

Steve

Bill Coleman wrote:

> 
> On May 10, 2004, at 7:41 PM, Steve wrote:
> 
>> After all these years, is that lubricant on the ball bearings still a 
>> functioning lubricant? Or is it of questionable character and should 
>> be replaced? If so, with what?
> 
> 
> You can probably tell this the best. Touch the lubricant and rub it 
> between your fingers. If it feels smooth and slippery, it's still good. 
> If it feels dry and gritty, it probably needs to be replaced.
> 
> I'd wager that you'll find the lubricant is in good shape. Most of these 
> rotators survive 23 years OUTSIDE and still function, yet yours was kept 
> sheltered.
> 
> I have a Ham-M series 5 from 1972 that I rebuilt back in 2000. Who knows 
> what this poor rotator had been through, but internally it was in good 
> shape.
> 
> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
>             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901
> 
I bought a CDE Ham II rotor in 1976, used it for about five years and 
removed
it from service with the intent of getting my beams back in the air in 
short
order. I replaced a few parts in 1981 and lubricated the ball bearings. 
Turns
out that "in short order" turned into 23 years  :(

It was stored during that time in attics, barns and sheds. Dry but 
subject to
ambient outside temperatures (or greater when it was in the attic). I 
hooked
it up on the bench and it works. Removed the top casting to take a look at
the ball bearings. They are shiny and coated with the lubricant I put on 
them
23 years ago, a lubricant that I bought from CDE for just that purpose.

After all these years, is that lubricant on the ball bearings still a 
functioning
lubricant? Or is it of questionable character and should be replaced? If 
so, with what?

Thanks.

Steve