[TowerTalk] Frozen Rotor

[Joe Giacobello]

Sounds good to me.  I'll give it a try.  Thanks for the tip.

73, Joe

MIKE GREENWAY wrote:

>To prevent any icing in the tower tube I use a rubber plumbing transition
>that has a 2 inch diameter hole on one end and maybe 4 inch or so on the
>other.  With 2 inch end on the mast with a hose clamp the 4 inch end easily
>covers up the tower opening.  The whole length of the assembly is around 6
>to 8 inches.  These can be found in the plumbing department of Home Depot or
>Lowes.  It is nicer to place the assembly on the mast during initial
>installation but it can be done afterwards by just cutting lengthwise,
>installing and seal the cut with some silicone sealant..  HD and Lowes  may
>carry larger rubber transitions but I have never looked.  73 Mike K4PI
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "K8RI on Tower Talk" <k8ri-tower at charter.net>
>To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
>Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 6:03 PM
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Frozen Rotor
>
>
>  
>
>><snip>
>>
>>    
>>
>>>We've had a couple of nights this winter of below 10F.  I've found the
>>>rotor just won't budge until morning, when things warm up into the
>>>teens.  What's going on?
>>>      
>>>
>>There are a number of possibilities.
>>
>>    
>>
>>>There could be some ice in the tower sleeve.  Is that the most likely?
>>>      
>>>
>>This is the most likely, but I'd think you'd be able to see some movement
>>    
>>
>if
>  
>
>>only slight.
>>You could get some one to operate the rotor... Just bump it in one
>>    
>>
>direction
>  
>
>>and then the other while watching the instalation.  You should hear the
>>motor and at least see it try.
>>
>>    
>>
>>>Shouldn't the G-1000 be able to break through?  The rotor does not slip
>>>against the mast.  (Indicator does not move.)
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>Try the visual check and see what happens.  Don't keep trying though and
>>over heat the motor.
>>
>>    
>>
>>>What do people do to prevent this?  Lubricate the sleeve, provide a
>>>weather shield, heating tape, ...?
>>>      
>>>
>>Lubricating the sleeve is a kinda dicy proposition.   There are some
>>    
>>
>greases
>  
>
>>that will work, but they are messy and if you get water in the grease
>>nothing will turn.
>>The mast should be a relatively loose fit, but not wobbly.
>>
>>On ham in Alma MI took the top of a spray paint can, cut a hole in it to
>>just slip over the mast.  He slid the top down to the point where it
>>extended down over the top of the sleeve nearly 2 inches.  He then used
>>Silastic RTV (TM) to seal it to the mast  It made an excellent weather
>>    
>>
>cover
>  
>
>>and has been in use for years.
>>
>>Of course this method requires it be done before the antenna is mounted.
>>
>>I've also seen pieces of innertube wrapped around the mast  (at least two
>>turns)  so they flared out a bit and extended down over the sleeve by
>>several inches.  You can use a couple of SS hose clamps in this case to
>>    
>>
>hold
>  
>
>>the rubber in place.  They should clamp tight enough to keep water from
>>getting inside and running down mast.
>>
>>Now if I could just figure out how to get the water out of the motor on
>>    
>>
>mine
>  
>
>>Hey!  The temperature is up to a balmy 28F and it works!Balmy 28? It was 7
>>below with a high of 8 to 10.
>>
>>Roger Halstead (K8RI, EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
>>N833R, World's Oldest Debonair (S# CD-2)
>>www.rogerhalstead.com
>>    
>>
>>>73, Martin AA6E
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>
>>>See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
>>>Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with
>>>any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
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>>>TowerTalk at contesting.com
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>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>
>>See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
>>    
>>
>Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
>questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>  
>
>>_______________________________________________
>>TowerTalk mailing list
>>TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>    
>>
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
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>