[TowerTalk] LocTite

[Orcena Lyle]

I used medium grade Loctite (blue) to hold elements onto a Yagi which I had 
on top of my car, and nearly lost an element which vibrated loose as I 
drove. All the elements were coming loose.   I thought red (strongest) would 
be too strong, so that I would never be able to get the elements off the 
beam.  Then an auto mechanic in my radio club told me that using red doesn't 
really make it that hard to get something apart.  So far I haven't used the 
red but will if the occasion arises.

73 de Orcy WØQT

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "K8RI" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2011 2:10 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] G-1000DXA failure with lower mast clamp


> On 12/27/2011 9:16 AM, Barry N1EU wrote:
>
> Grant has a good idea with the Heli-coils although you *may* have enough
> thread left for a secure hold.
>
> Rather than lock washers I'd use medium grade "LocTite". I don't
> remember the colors now for the different strengths, but you would be
> using it just to keep the bolts from vibrating loose and their strongest
> might make it pretty difficult to remove the bolts "in place
>
>
>> My G-1000DXA rotor came completely unhinged from its GC-038 lower mast
>> clamp and left my 3-el Steppir and attached rotor dangling from the
>> attached cables.  It appears that the attachment bolts on the bottom
>> of the rotor came loose and fell out.  Please see photo at
>> http://n1eu.com/g1000.jpg
>
> Although called heavy duty the G1000 at 8# is a rather light duty
> rotator. Mast mounted it is only good for 0.75 sq meters or 8 sq ft of
> antenna and that is with the antenna mounted right on top of the
> rotator. Mounted 2' above the rotator it's only 4 sq ft. The 3L stepper
> IR is 8.1 sq foot so you are already slightly over the ratings of the
> rotator.
>
> With the bottom of the rotator already damaged and used over it's
> ratings I'd have to think twice about using it again for the same
> conditions.
>
> With an antenna of this size it would be a good idea to have the rotator
> mounted on a mast down inside the tower and not on top of the tower. To
> do otherwise is not safe even if it is temporary.
> Mounted like this the rotator is the weak point even if the bolts don't
> fall out. That antenna is a lot of money just setting on top of a rotator.
>
> OTOH we some times do have to do what we have to do, just remember the
> risk.  However if you have no choice but to top mount the antenna I
> would do my best to use a rotator rated for considerably more than the
> antenna actual wind load. Otherwise if you get much wind it's pretty 
> risky.
>
>
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>>
>> The cast aluminum fractured at one of the four threaded holes on the
>> rotor bottom.  At first I thought this might be the cause of failure
>> but on further thought, I would guess that the other 3 bolts came
>> loose and fell away and this fourth bolt was the last to stay attached
>> and this caused the aluminum fracture.  Any comments on whether this
>> seems correct?
>>
>> I'd also appreciate comments on why this happened in the first place
>> and how to prevent a repeat.  The rotor was assembled to factory
>> instructions with lock washers.  Instead of using anti-seize on those
>> four bolts, perhaps what is really needed is loctite?
>>
>> Does the motor casing need replacement and if so, is this a fairly
>> easy job to do myself?  There's still about half the threads on the
>> one hole that suffered the fracture.
>>
>> Thanks&  Happy Holidays,
>> Barry N1EU
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
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