[TowerTalk] HamIV Rotor sluggish

[Dick Williams]

Doug,

With as long of a run you have, I would highly suggest you put the motor cap out by the rotor.  This has two BIG advantanges;  first it frees up the two wires used for the cap, and you can put one in parallel with each of the motor run wires.  This has the same effect as using larger wire.  Second, you ellimiate any voltage drop in the long run back to the cap in the control box.  This will allow the cap to be more effective and the motor to produce more torque.

I have five Tailtwisters/Ham IV's on towers at my QTH with runs of 250 to 300 ft;  I used the above method, and have no trouble turning any of my big mono banders.

Rather than removing the cap out of the control box, purchase a new one (or two and have a spare) and mount it in a plastic box right by the rotator with a foot or two of wire.

Additionally, over the time, the cap wears out and needs to be replaced.  I just replaced the one on my 15 meter antenna rotor;  turning had become very slugish (especially in the cold).  I put the cap up there when I put up the tower and antenna about 15 years ago.  The new cap did the trick;  due to other issues and maintenance on my other towers, I had replaced the caps around the 8 to 10 year service on those towers.

Dick  K8ZTT





> 
> 
> 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
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