[TowerTalk] Yaesu G-800-S Rotator Question

[Pete Smith]

At 04:21 PM 1/19/2005, Pat Barthelow wrote:

>The control box of our GS-800S rotator is not very user friendly, 
>demanding attention for the duration of the rotation of the beam.  The 
>rotation speed though, is great...seems twice as fast as say, a Hygain Ham 
>series...   If you are swinging the beam a long fraction of a circlel, get 
>distracted,  and forget to stop at the desired heading, the rotator goes 
>to the mechanical stop and, stops.  The LEFT -RIGHT rotate switch is still 
>depressed, with a mechanical latch.
>
>
>Question 1:
>If the switch is still depressed, when the rotor comes to it's mechanical 
>limit stop, does the motor turn off, or does it continue to try to crank 
>against the stop?


Funny you should mention this.  I just posted another message on the 
subject.  Honestly can't tell if the motor shuts itself off (maybe some 
sort of thermal cut-off) but I have accidentally left it with the switch on 
against the stop for hours without damage.  Are DC motors different?


>Question 2:
>The left-right rotate  rocker switch is bumped to the center posiition to 
>stop rotation.  there is a weak detent between the three positions 
>available to the switch.  If you are rotating clockwise and bump just a 
>little too hard to center, off position, the switch  may end up in counter 
>clockwise rotation, instantaneously.  If that happens, does the rotator 
>have any delays, or graceful,safe  way to reverse direction without 
>putting huge stresses on the mechanicals?   If not,  I can see easily 
>stripped gears, broken rotors, etc.. Yaesu service and  parts makes extra 
>money....

I suspect this problem is theoretical rather than actual, but maybe someone 
who knows more about DC motors can comment.  I have had my G-800 for 5 
years and am sure I have done what you describe any number of times without 
evident damage.  Maybe there is some sequencing or delay in the controller.

I have thought seriously about swapping the locking switch for the 
non-locking variety.  I believe that the G-800 DXA (preset model) has a 
non-locking switch (my G-1000DXA does) and it should not be hard to change 
it out.  I sort of wish I'd spent the $50 additional for the preset model.

73, Pete N4ZR