[TowerTalk] Lube for AlfaSpid RAK-1?

[TexasRF at aol.com]

Hi Jim, Is there a possibility that your wiring has enough  
resistance/voltage drop to cause a loss of horsepower? Is see on the Hygain web  site that 
the higher the voltage, the higher the turning torq.
 
Considering the large number of these units used in Europe at higher  
latitudes than yours without reported problems with the grease it seems unlikely  
that is the actual cause of your problem. Sure the grease does get stiff 
when  cold but one would expect the motor to be able to deal with that.
 
The description I read showed operation from 12 to 24v either AC or DC.  
Perhaps you could do a test from the shack with a voltage source connected to  
the motor leads only to see what happens. 
 
Happy hunting!
 
73,
Gerald K5GW
 
 
 
In a message dated 3/8/2016 8:21:05 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
jim at jtmiller.com writes:

My RAK-1  refused to budge this winter when temps dropped below zero
Fahrenheit. It  began working one the temps warmed to above 20F. Since it
was always below  freezing when working I don't think it was icing.

I think the grease  used for lube just got too thick for it to work.

What would be a more  suitable grease to prevent this?

I could also put some sort of heater  on it as a last resort but that seems
a bit much.

QTH is Parkton,  Maryland, due north of Baltimore and just south of PA so
this is a  infrequent but annoying occurrence especially during a  contest.

TIA

73

jim  ab3cv
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