[TowerTalk] M2 OR-2800 Rotator Problem

[Robert Harmon]

Rikki,

The Orion 2800's are notorious for water ingress thru the top seal.
This is a common issue with these otherwise great rotators.
I bet this is the cause of your problems.
I have completely rebuilt my 2800 and decided to add rain protection
so it will stay dry.  I use Oatey EPDM roof flashings clamped on the 
mast above
the 2800 mast clamp.  This prevents the water from getting in to the top 
of the
rotator.  I dont remember the Oatey number you need to select one.
Here is an example,  select the size your want.   It works great, no 
water getting in through the top seal.

http://www.amazon.com/Oatey-14052-0-25-Inch-4-Inch-Master/dp/B0002YU3LU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455847548&sr=8-1&keywords=oatey+flashing

Bob
K6UJ


On 2/17/16 11:18 PM, Riki, K7NJ wrote:
> The rotator was received, used, as a gift from a friend and has been working
> flawlessly for about 10 years until this winter.   I'm not sure about the
> specific model number suffix (after OR-2800), but this has an AC motor with
> the motor capacitor installed inside the rotator housing.
>
> When the weather gets very cold - below freezing - it won't rotate. After
> the temperature warms up to within a few degrees of freezing, it begins
> working again.   I believe that the problem is due to one or more of the
> following:
>
> .         water ingress
>
> .         old grease that needs to be changed
>
> .         defective motor capacitor
>
> When the weather warms up, I will remove the rotator from the tower and
> proceed to examine and overhaul it.  My questions are:
>
> 1.       Does anybody know of a water ingress problem and if so, what was
> the cause and how was it fixed?
>
> 2.       I will degrease and re-grease the rotator with a high quality low
> temperature grease.  Molykote 33 Extreme Low Temperature Bearing Grease
> (Medium) looks good, but it only has a 5 year shelf life.  I'm not convinced
> that it will be good for many years.  Any recommendations for a time-proven
> grease that has not been a problem with temperatures as low as -30 F would
> be appreciated.
>
> 3.        I would like to install a highly reliable motor capacitor.
> Suggested manufacturers (and those to avoid) would be appreciated.
>
> 4.       Is there anything else that should be cared for while the rotator
> is in the shop?
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> 73, Riki Kline, K7NJ
>
>   
>
>   
>
>
>
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