[TowerTalk] Ham Antenna Rotator: The Teardown

[Paul Christensen]

P.S.

I just took a stroll into the garage.  This is the culprit to avoid:

https://triflowlubricants.com/product/synthetic-grease

Tri-Flow TF23004

Paul, W9AC

-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Paul
Christensen
Sent: Tuesday, December 4, 2018 7:10 AM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Ham Antenna Rotator: The Teardown

>   Norm's Rotator Service on line says:   "either a white lithium or green
emerald.  Under no circumstances should wheel bearing grease or any other
grease with fibrous material content be used".
> As they said, wheel bearing grease is a fibrous grease and should not 
> be used.  There is a large selection of greases that are non fibrous.    
> There are many (non fibrous) grease lubricants better than Lithium 
> which are rated for more severe service and lower temperatures than 
> the Lithium.  I am planning on using a synthetic grease in my rebuild.
> It  will be an overkill for California but I will sleep well at night.  

In the '70s, I repacked my CDE rotators every few years using common axle
grease.  I'm not sure there was a better quality of grease available for the
DIY crowd although much more expense industrial grease was available back
then.

Possibly "fretting" was involved, but I once had disastrous results when
using a PTFE-based grease.  Teflon does not lubricate well under high
pressure of the type achieved with high-ratio gear reduction assemblies.  

If rebuilding a ball bearing train today, I would consider Mobil1 or
Valvoline SynPower synthetic grease.  PTFE and Lithium would be out of the
running.

Paul, W9AC


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