[TowerTalk] HF winch

[Mike Reublin NF4L]

Thanks Patrick,

Even considering the load halving of the pulleys, it seems like at best it would be on the or above sane operating parms. BTW I had a hard root beer the other day. Pretty tasty!

The tower isn't up yet, so the first trial would be raising it. The battery charger is a good idea, and I thought of one of those starter packs, but haven't looked at specs yet.

A better idea may be an AC powered winch. 

Mike NF4L

On Feb 3, 2014, at 9:08 AM, Patrick Greenlee <patrick_g at windstream.net> wrote:

> I think you will be greatly disappointed trying to run that winch with a 20 amp supply.  If you insist on trying, consider that it is better to experiment by trying to lift the tower than to lower it.  If the winch were used to lower the load via its "power out" capability you might get the tower down and then find you can't raise it back up.  Those winches are notorious current hogs and as you may have noted by the duty cycle specs, are rated at the edge of or past the envelope.  I hope you are successful and safe in your efforts.  If it works just fine lifting the tower on a 20 amp supply with no other assistance then I owe you a Root Beer float the next time we are together.
> 
> The brush type DC motor in that puppy doesn't care about good filtering or precise voltage control. If you can come by a good used xformer that will put out 12 to 18 volts at 50 amps then slap on a full wave diode bridge rated for maybe e about 100 amps (put it on a heat sink) and you are ready to go.  Alternatively find a 24 to 30 volt xformer with a center tap and put on a two diode bridge with cooling for the bridge and go for it.  A slow blow fuse or thermal breaker rated at or above the max current in normal use would be a good idea too.  Another possibility is a heavy duty battery charger, typically on wheels and will have a start position that sources serious amps, well above the normal charge rates.  These are duty cycle limited so choose wisely "grasshopper" and consider adding a fan to lengthen the duty cycle. I have seen working used units go for under $50.  Check the specs on the Harbor Freight u nit.  It might just make the cut.  Consider you will have a terrific battery charger/jump starter as well as a winch power supply.
> 
> 73 and best of luck,
> 
> Patrick NJ5G
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Mike Reublin NF4L
> Sent: Monday, February 03, 2014 6:46 AM
> To: towertalk reflector
> Subject: [TowerTalk] HF winch
> 
> I picked up a 2500 lb. rated 12V. winch from Harbor Freight intending to use it for tilting my HG-70HD tower. Weight with antennae and rotor etc. is between 1200  and 1300 lbs.  I was hoping to run it from a 20A power supply.
> 
> I plan on a pulley arrangement that will give me a 2:1 advantage. I could go to 3:1.
> 
> If I read the specs right, the winch draws 55 amps when the load is 1000 lbs. The duty cycle is 45 seconds on, 14 MINUTES off. Mounting is 2 bolts, M8-1.25x35 mm.
> 
> Seems a tad sketchy. Your opinion?
> 
> 73, Mike NF4L
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