[TowerTalk] T2X Multiple failures, fix?

[Gene K5GS]

Over the years there were at least 2 different brake designs for the 
bell housing type rotors from CDE / Hygain that used a brake.

The older wedge was a V tip while the newer design is a rectangular tip, 
each used different a lower bell housing to accommodate the different 
wedge architecture, both wedge designs have drawbacks.

Under high wind conditions the V style would slip and over time destroy 
the lower bell housing by flattening / wearing the detent notches. The 
newer style is less prone to slipping, but it does have a tendency to 
stick and the solenoid will not retract the wedge.

The T2X brake is known for sticking, as stated below rocking the antenna 
will usually un-stick the brake. The EZ Rotor option sold by 
Hamsupply.com (formerly Idiom Press) solves the sticking problem.

"Rotor-EZ protects your rotator, with electronic end stops, provision 
for coasting, and start-up jam prevention, especially useful for 
TailTwisters. You lose no utility with these features, but add 
significant protection for your rotator, antenna and tower.  These 
features can be bypassed if desired."

I installed one of these options on a T2X that turned a F-12 C-4XL and 
later a C3 and Cushcraft 2 element 40, it worked perfectly. The tower 
was installed in Colorado at a very windy 9,200 feet, never a problem 
with the T2X brake sticking.

https://www.hamsupply.com/rotor-ez-hy-gain-rotor-control/

Cheers,
Gene K5GS

On 2/18/2017 8:44 PM, Earl Morse wrote:
>>
>> Dave,
>>
> The typical HAMIV and T2X rotators have 3 separate systems inside them.  A
> 500 ohm potentiometer to determine position, a motor and gear box to turn
> the thing, and a brake solenoid that pulls a brake wedge out of cogs in the
> housing sides to allow the rotator to turn.  You only mention that the
> brake is repaired each time you send it out so I am assuming that the motor
> and potentiometer are still good.
>
> Due to the way the brake wedge is designed they tend to hang up if the
> antenna is twisting in the breeze and puts any pressure on the brake wedge
> pushing it against the cogs and making it hard to retract and free the
> rotator to spin.  If you suspect that the brake is hanging you can listen
> for it as it makes a distinct clank when the solenoid pulls it in.
>
> If it hangs up, sometimes you can free it up by telegraphing the brake
> lever while rocking the  CCW and CW levers in an attempt to hammer the
> brake out of the cog if it stuck.
>
> One thing you might want to check is the size of your rotor cable to make
> sure you have the right size conductors for the length of run you have out
> to and up the tower.  If the wire is too small, it will limit current to
> the motor and brake making it turn slower or making the brake harder to
> retract.
>
> Earl
> N8SS
>
> ------------------------------
>>
>>