[TowerTalk] Preventing tic ring motor from freezing

[john at kk9a.com]

The silicone heater that I used was made by Ogden.  I'm still not sure of 
the model - some are listed on  http://www.ogdenmfg.com/proc8ax.htm#silicone

John KK9A

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <john at kk9a.com>
To: <TOWERTALK at contesting.com>
Cc: <k2hk at arrl.net>
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 6:57 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Preventing tic ring motor from freezing


I had that problem at my station in Illinois and it was most prevalent when
the temperature was just below freezing.  In my case it was moisture in the
potentiometers.  I did all I could to make the units seal the shafts and
then I installed a small silicone heating element in each motor housing.  I
don't recall the model of the heating element that I used and unfortunately
that information is not conveniently located right now.  It was small and
thin with an adhesive back and a separate thermostat also with an adhesive
back so installation was easy, except for running power to it.   I never had
a cold weather related problem after installing the heaters.

John KK9A




To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Preventing tic ring motor from freezing
From: Howard Klein Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:51:33 +0000


I need some ideas for preventing my Tic Ring motor from freezing. For the
past
three years every time the temperature falls below freezing my Tic Ring
stops
working. Other times it works perfectly. Maybe I got the tropical version
:-).
I don't believe it is associated with water entering. It is sealed and this
occurs even when the WX has been dry for days. Carl says there is no grease
inside. In any case I was thinking of some type of heating strip used for
gutters or similiar. This poses the problem of thermostat and supply voltage
problems.
It has become a fairly accurate way of knowing the temperature...32 F  stops
working, 33 F works FB. Any ideas?
Howard..K2HK



HK