[TowerTalk] MD 750 won't lift TX455/DB36

[Jim McDonald]

100' is very long.  Many orange extension cords are only #16.

Jim N7US



-----Original Message-----

I found that long runs to motorized towers, especially with ext. cords,
there was enough voltage drop that the various motors had trouble getting
started.     73

Bll Gillenwater

On Jul 18, 2010, at 10:20 PM, "Fredric Serota" <fserota at msn.com> wrote:

> Just finished building new SteppIR DB36 and mounting on new TX455. First
> time lifting tower vertical, it went up about half way and the motor
slowed
> to a stop. Tried bringing it down partly, then fully and it wouldn't start
> to lift again, just kind of groaning. Tilted tower over to almost
horizontal
> and the motor extended the tower without apparent problem. Checked for
> anything interfering and found nothing. Limit switches seem to be working
> fine. Brought back to vertical again, and the motor just groans, won't
lift.
> 
> Running at 120 volts 15 amps as it comes wired from the factory. Powering
> with a 100ft extension cord (orange) from an outlet in our garage. 
> 
> Any ideas appreciated. Do people wire these motors for 220? Would that be
> better?
> 
> Fred, K3BHX