[TowerTalk] Prop Pitch info wanted

[Jim Hargrave]

Hi Brad,

I have used a prop pitch drive motor for about 30 years and it is still
going strong. There were several models available surplus and it depends on
which one you have. There is also a mod to some models that increases the
speed by locking some of the gears.

I use a light weight automobile chassis lithium grease in mine. I installed
a grease zerk on the side of the gear box and squirt a little in it every
few years. The grease will help stop the leakage between the gear box and
the motor shaft when mounted in the upright position.

I run mine with a 24volt battery charger transformer with a variac to adjust
the speed. It requires around 10 amps under full load. The grease makes it
slow starting in cold WX, So I have to increase the voltage slightly to make
sure it starts ok. A variable pulse width DC power supply would work nicely
in this application. Mine works equally well on a 12vdc or 24vdc power
supply. Most have recommended to use DC, however mine has been in service
many years running on AC.

I mounted mine near the bottom of the tower and it rotates a TH6DXX @ 50ft.
and a 14 element 2m beam at 60 ft.

   * 73's Jim W5IFP *


   >-----Original Message-----
   >From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
   >[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Brad Anbro
   >Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2009 3:43 PM
   >To: TOWERTALK
   >Subject: [TowerTalk] Prop Pitch info wanted
   >
   >
   >Hello all,
   >
   >I am getting ready to "retire" an overloaded Tailtwister
   >rotator with a "small" prop pitch motor (9,576:1 reduction
   >ratio) and was wondering about a couple of details in
   >regards to putting it in service.
   >
   >I was thinking about putting a light coating of low-temp
   >grease on the gear surfaces inside the gear housing, as
   >I understand that it's not advisable to fill it with oil, due
   >to the motor being mounted in a vertical position. Is that
   >an advisable thing to do?
   >
   >Also, I am planning on operating the motor on 24 volts
   >D.C. and was wondering how large of a DC power supply
   >will be needed. Does anyone know what the normal
   >current draw (in D.C. amps at 24 volts) would be for this
   >motor?
   >
   >Thanks for any help!
   >
   >73 de Brad, N9EN @ Radio Free Roscoe (IL)®
   >_______________________________________________
   >
   >
   >
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