[TowerTalk] HamIV Rotor sluggish

[Bryan Swadener]

Doug,
 
I suggest measuring (or estimating) the wire resistance before doing anything else. Based on the information given, the minimum recommended wire size is:
 
Terminals 1 & 2 = 0.8 ohm = 14 AWG (0.696 ohm)
Terminals 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 = 2.0 ohms = 20 AWG (1.759 ohms)
 
Simple question: what is the wire size?

vy 73,
Bryan WA7PRC

From: Doug Snowden <dougn4ij at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] HamIV Rotor sluggish
To: Bryan WA7PRC
Cc: towertalk at contesting.com
Date: Monday, January 14, 2013, 9:28 AM


The rotor has always been sluggish but has gotten worse, maybe due to colder weather.
I guess I will do as one of you said and put a small series xfmr to boost the voltage. That would be easier than running a new run of control cable I guess.


Doug N4IJ


On Sun, Jan 13, 2013 at 9:58 AM, Bryan WA7PRC wrote:






It's always good procedure to verify the UUT is configured correctly.
 
vy 73,
Bryan WA7PRC

From: Stan K5GO

Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] HamIV Rotor sluggish
Date: Sunday, January 13, 2013, 7:27 AM


And regardless of how big the wire is you may on occasion have to "rock the antenna". I think if the wind is blowing just right you will have to do that to get that brake wedge to come out.
Stan, K5GO
 

On Jan 13, 2013, at 8:40 AM, Bryan WA7PRC wrote:

> Hi Doug,
>  
> Before you do anything, what is the wire resistance? The manual says the maximum interconnect cable resistance is...
> 
> Terminals 1 & 2 = 0.8 ohm
> Terminals 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 = 2.0 ohms
>  
> According to a nifty calculator spreadsheet (http://www.rst-engr.com/rst/jimsdata/wirecalc.xls), to stay under those limits at 275 feet, you should be using at least 14 AWG (0.696 ohms) and 20 AWG (1.759 ohms) wire respectively. If you're already there, look elsewhere. Several of the other suggestions sound good.

>  
> vy 73,
> Bryan WA7PRC
> 
> 
> Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2013
> From: Doug N4IJ
> Subject: [TowerTalk] HamIV Rotor sluggish
>  
> The rotor is on a tower and the run is about 275 ft from the shack.
> What is the best way to get more response from it? At times I have to
> rock the antenaa back and forth to get it to even move. I am sure it
> must be voltage loss.  Boost the voltage from the controller?
> Doug, N4IJ