[TowerTalk] New To ME US Towers HDX-555- advice needed

[Rick Stealey]

I'll start this thing thing off with an opinion based on my experience doing several things to my TX472 last year.
The raising fixture cable is less likely to need attention than the lift cables, but in both cases look at the surface of them and check for rust that is enough to deteriorate the outer strands.  Light surface rust is ok.
To replace lift cables you can buy from US Towers if you are independently wealthy.  Or you can buy cable, and a swaging tool and make your own for half the price and have a $90 tool to add to your collection to boot.
While the tower is horizontal, take a crowbar and slightly move the sections a few inches to relax the lift cables.  Now this is the most crucial test you can make.  Check that every pulley turns freely.  If any don't turn, the cable will be so hard to move over them that your motor will stall, or the gearbox will fail - disasterville.  I had 7 frozen pulleys, motor blowing fuses.  
On the motor, on mine the starting capacitor was inside a little bubble mounted on the motor housing, but the motor was mounted upside down, so water could flow down around the motor and rust out the housing.  Replace the cap, they cost $5.  I mounted my cap in the .... whatever you call it..... the electrical box.

That will get you started on your fun project.  Good luck.

Rick  K2XT

Sorry the whole message is attached.  Hotmail wont let me edit it.  Dont know why.

> From: w5kf at prodigy.net
> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2015 13:38:44 -0400
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] New To ME US Towers HDX-555- advice needed
> 
> I bought a used HDX-555 that is now beginning to reappear as the snow melts. I’m hoping to get it upright this summer. I’d like advice on what to do prior to standing it up.
> 
> I am not sure how long the tower was down, prior to its transportation to me. I believe that it is about 15 years old, and it came from a SK. 
> 
> Specifically, I am wondering about the cables. Should the cable on the raising fixture be replaced? Should I replace or service the lift cables in any way? Any advice about PM for the raising motor assembly? Should switches (limit, raising, etc) be changed?
> 
> Above all, I want to be safe here. So, I’d take any tips on steps to take prior to actually bolting on an antenna and standing the thing up.
> 
> Regards and 73,
> 
> Sam Barrett - W5KF
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