[TowerTalk] M2 OR-2800 Rotator Problem

[Robert Harmon]

Me again,
I forgot to mention I just trimmed off the square bottom on the flashing 
so it is
round.

Bob
K6UJ

On 2/18/16 6:08 PM, Robert Harmon wrote:
> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ---
>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
>> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>