[TowerTalk] Wiring Sky Needle tower for 220 VAC

[Richard Karlquist]

On 2013-11-04 22:48, Ray Benny wrote:
> I have an older 90 ft Triex Sky Needle that I have been working on. I'm
> down to the wiring of the raising/lowering motor. Because of the long
> distance, I ran four conductors (250 ft) of #10 wire. The motor current
> draw for 220 VAC is 9 amps, versus 18 amps for 110 VAC. There would be 
> a


I had exactly the same situation with my HDX-5106 and the motor
worked (barely) with 4 #10 250 feet on 120VAC.  I have since moved
the shack much closer so this problem went away, but if I had
not, the plan was to put a 240VAC to 120VAC transformer at the tower.
This seemed to be much easier (and idiot proof) compared to monkeying
around with the electrical stuff at the tower.  I have a number of
big transformers I have acquired over the years.  Anything with dual
primaries can be wired as a step down autotransformer (you don't
need isolation).  Also, a 120VAC isolation transformer can be wired
as an autotransformer.  I picked up a 5 kVA unit at a swap meet.
As an autotransformer, it is good for 10kVa.

Rick N6RK