[TowerTalk] Freezing prop pitch rotor

[john at kk9a.com]

Jim has a good point.  Are you using a power supply on the tower or just a 
controller with a built in power supply inside the shack.  I use just a 
shack controller, however I use #6 wire between the controller and the prop 
pitch to minimize voltage drop.

John KK9A



To: "Zivney, Terry L." <00tlzivney at bsu.edu>, <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Freezing prop pitch rotor
From: "Jim Hargrave" <w5ifp at gvtc.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2010 18:16:23 -0600
List-post: <towertalk at contesting.com">mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>

Terry,

I have used a Prop Pitch rotor for the past 40 plus years and have always
had slow response during cold weather. It rarely freezes for any duration
here in central Texas, But the rotor thinks it does.

My solution is to crank up the voltage. I use a 24V battery charger
transformer for the rotor power supply. I have a variac on the input and
have a summer and winter setting. In my case approx a 5 volt increase in
cold weather seems to work fine most of the time. I also solved the water
problem by adding a grease zerk on the side of the rotor and inject the gear
box with light weight Lithium automotive chassis grease. I do have my power
supply at the base of the tower and the rotor is about 4 ft off the bottom
with a mast going up the inside of the tower. Makes for easy maintenance and
parts replacement. The motor power leads are only about 3 ft long.

Since your tower is 400 ft away. you may be marginal on power at the rotor
under ideal conditions. It then bogs down under cold weather. If you are
using a 24v supply, an adjustable 36 volt supply just might be in order.

Good luck.

     73's Jim
      W5IFP

> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Zivney, Terry L.
> Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2010 1:55 PM
> To: 'towertalk at contesting.com'
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Freezing prop pitch rotor
>
>
> 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.
>
> My rotor installation looks like the fifth picture at
http://www.k7nv.com/proppitch/id36.htm

So, first, how do I manage to reduce water ingress?
Second, how do I manage to heat the rotor?   I don't have 120v at the tower
And it is about 400 feet from the house.

Terry Zivney, N4TZ/9