[TowerTalk] Freezing prop pitch rotor

[K7LXC at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/1/2010 12:01:40 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
towertalk-request at contesting.com writes:

>  I seem to be having some problems with my small prop  pitch rotor 
freezing up
When the temperature is below freezing.  I'm  assuming it's a two part 
problem.
First, water must be getting in  somehow.
Second, the water freezes when its cold.

>  So,  first, how do I manage to reduce water ingress?


    Since the PP's weren't meant to be  installed vertically, the water is 
a problem. OT's who used them used RTV  to seal up all of the top holes - 
and there are several of them. Sorry I don't  know all the details. One thing 
you can do is to build a little shroud or  doghouse that goes around the PP 
and keeps the wx out. 

>  Second, how do I manage to heat the rotor?   I  don't have 120v at the 
tower
 
    Well, you're going to need it. That's what you're  going to have to do 
- one of those pipe heating tapes will do a great  job. That's the same 
thing I had to do with mine. Annoying once but  wonderful when it's cold out and 
it rotates!
 
Cheers,
Steve    K7LXC
TOWER TECH