[TowerTalk] rotor advice needed

[Mark Ketchell]

Thanks for the replies.

Perhaps "rebuilt" was wrong choice of words. More accurate would be, 
dis-assembled, cleaned inside and out, re-painted, greased gear 
train, checked resistances and limit switches, and I believe he 
changed out one bearing/bushing. I haven't been inside it, so I am 
not sure which it is. Work was done by a local ham. Electronic 
specialist in military, then farmer for 40+ years. He is 
exceptionally good with machinery, so I have no reason to doubt HIS 
work. Just wondering about the integrity of the older Orion - not 
knocking it, I just don't know, and since I don't climb, don't want 
to put up a potential failure point.

Oh, the thing has something I haven't seen on a rotor. There is a 
plate on the output shaft, where the mast clamp normally would go. On 
this one, there is what looks like a round piece of steel belt 
reinforced tire, abt 1/2 inch thick, then another plate to which the 
mast clamp bolts. He said it served similar to many commercial motor 
couplings and absorbed some of the initial stopping and starting 
torque, and would extend the life of the unit. The 2nd plate looks 
identical to the 1st, so I would assume it is OEM. It could be taken 
off, if necessary. Should I leave it on?

Thanks,
K5ER


>>This weekend, I picked up an original Orion 2300 (AC), with controller.
>>The unit was just rebuilt, cleaned, greased and limit switched checked.
>
>Who rebuilt this and where did they get the parts?
>I also have one of these units and asked M2 about rebuilding it
>and they didn't rule it out but indicated that parts were
>an issue.  It also seemed like it was somewhat different
>mechanically than a 2800, so the idea of swapping out the
>motor or pot seemed questionable.  In any event, they told
>me I would have to send in the rotor and have the look at
>it, just to see what would be involved in rebuilding it, etc.
>Of course, it could be that they are more interested in selling
>new rotors than rebuilding old ones, as with most vendors.
>
>Rick N6RK