[TowerTalk] Ham IV Rotor Motor Voltage Boost ? (Sluggish rotation)

[Ron W8RJL]

I would do the following if you have not already done so:
1. Replace the AC cap in the rotor box with the proper size if the control 
box has any age on it. It may have lost some capacitance.  Have you tried 
another control box in the shack to see if it makes a difference?
2. Ensure all terminals are clean and tight.
2. Verify the mast is not binding putting additional torque requirements on 
the rotor.
3. Verify you AC line voltage is close to 120 volts under load.
4. Using a variac to elevate the line voltage above 125 volts can stress the 
control box transformer. It might be easier than digging up the cable but 
keep an eye on the transformer temperature and be sure the fuse is the 
correct size. You don't want a fire in the shack.
Good Luck & 73, Ron W8RJL




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Snowden" <dougn4ij at gmail.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2011 9:33 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Ham IV Rotor Motor Voltage Boost ? (Sluggish rotation)


> Seen a few posts about putting the moor capacitor next to the rotor,
> rather than in the control unit in order to
> enable better turning (less slugishness).  I have a problem in getting
> the antenna to turn.  I substituted a section of cable from the base
> of the tower, and, indeed the antenna turns ok.  So it is dig up the
> buried cable, and replace, or figure out how to jack the voltage up
> several volts to the rotor.  Ideas on an easy way to increase the
> voltage? another xfmr and a rheostat?  Seems like I should be able to
> measure the series resistance to get an idea of how much to increase
> the voltage.
>
> Doug, N4IJ
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