Hello All, I could use some help with the alignment/calibrating of my az/el rotor to my rotor controller.
I followed the G5400B manual instructions and set the rotor and antennas to the full south position. The meter indicated full stop at the south position as well. I then depressed the azimuth control to bring the rotor around 360 degrees back to south. The first 5-10 seconds, the antennas moved and the meter needle was not moving. However, when the rotation was complete, although the antennas were pointed south, the meter stopped just a couple degrees away from south, so I used the rear pot adjustment to zero it.
I then swung the other way attempting to go back to my starting position. After the meter hit full stop at south in the original position, I looked at the antennas and they were about 45 degrees short of full south.
According to the manual, I followed the steps correctly, but no matter what I do, I cannot get the meter to always accurately reflect where the antennas are actually pointing.
Can anyone tell me what might be wrong?
Thank you,
Tim K6TW
Tim, A few possibilities exist. 1. The rotator is mechanically hosed. This includes the pot mounting an gears and stuff inside that drive the pot. IIRC the 5400b has no mechanical stops and relies on fuses to protect the windings of the motors. You can check this by moving the rotator and looking at the wiper arm of the pot with regards to ground. Again IIRC the pot value is 450 Ohms.
2. The pot is just really dirty and needs some exercise. I've got a good rotator with a bad control box here.. Norm n3ykf
On Sun, Jan 26, 2014 at 1:44 AM, Tim Goodrich [email protected] wrote:
Hello All, I could use some help with the alignment/calibrating of my az/el rotor to my rotor controller.
I followed the G5400B manual instructions and set the rotor and antennas to the full south position. The meter indicated full stop at the south position as well. I then depressed the azimuth control to bring the rotor around 360 degrees back to south. The first 5-10 seconds, the antennas moved and the meter needle was not moving. However, when the rotation was complete, although the antennas were pointed south, the meter stopped just a couple degrees away from south, so I used the rear pot adjustment to zero it.
I then swung the other way attempting to go back to my starting position. After the meter hit full stop at south in the original position, I looked at the antennas and they were about 45 degrees short of full south.
According to the manual, I followed the steps correctly, but no matter what I do, I cannot get the meter to always accurately reflect where the antennas are actually pointing.
Can anyone tell me what might be wrong?
Thank you,
Tim K6TW
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
It sounds to me like something is binding. These rotors run at 1 RPM; you could try running it for 30 seconds and verify that it moves 180 degrees. Then the same in reverse.
If the motion is correct, then the pot is probably bad. If not, then check for anything that might keep the whole kit from moving, for example, antenna balance. Oh, also check the AC run capacitor. If it's weak, you will have a weaker motor.
Good luck,
Greg KO6TH
Tim Goodrich [email protected] wrote:
Hello All, I could use some help with the alignment/calibrating of my az/el rotor to my rotor controller.
I followed the G5400B manual instructions and set the rotor and antennas to the full south position. The meter indicated full stop at the south position as well. I then depressed the azimuth control to bring the rotor around 360 degrees back to south. The first 5-10 seconds, the antennas moved and the meter needle was not moving. However, when the rotation was complete, although the antennas were pointed south, the meter stopped just a couple degrees away from south, so I used the rear pot adjustment to zero it.
I then swung the other way attempting to go back to my starting position. After the meter hit full stop at south in the original position, I looked at the antennas and they were about 45 degrees short of full south.
According to the manual, I followed the steps correctly, but no matter what I do, I cannot get the meter to always accurately reflect where the antennas are actually pointing.
Can anyone tell me what might be wrong?
Thank you,
Tim K6TW
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
- Sent from my new toy; pls excuse tupos.
participants (3)
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Greg D. -
Lizeth Norman -
Tim Goodrich