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Re: [TowerTalk] Electric Winches for Crank Up Mast Use Question

To: Dennis Vernacchia <n6ki73@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Electric Winches for Crank Up Mast Use Question
From: chas <chasm@texas.net>
Date: Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:03:44 -0600
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Dennis Vernacchia wrote:
> Hi Skip
> 
> Thanks for response so quick !
> 
> Yes, I know Grainger sells Electric Winches ......but not to the RETAIL
> public and I don't have a business license anymore
> 
> So - from this page ,
> http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/guideBrowse.shtml
> 
> 
> Does my ham friend need a Planetary, Spur or Worm type winch unit
> 
> which type have the best holding system ( Brake or Clutch ) when the tower
> is extended ????
> 
> How much weight above the actual weight hat is being lifted should the winch
> be rated for ?
> ( Ie - if he is lifting 250 LBs  of dead weight in a 25 mPH breeze which
> also taxes the system
> does he need a 1000 lB, 1500 lB etc for reliable lifeling service of winch
> to keep any strain of of
> it and the brake or clutch system that holds it in place ? )
> 
> Are there any advantages to going with 110VAC or 12 VDC system when both
> types of voltage are
> always available at the tower site ?
> 
> 
> Garry who ? ( Just Kidding )


I do not know what I am talking about BUT

I DO have this 52' HyGain crank up still needing to have its cables 
replaced, etc and so on.  I do not plan to hand crank that sucker so 
your thread is very welcome.  obviously, mine is not a lightweight 
like yours as it is a three piece steel.  about a ton I guess.
anyway, I know that once I have it fully extended, there should be a 
mechanical device to lock it so that it cannot come back down.

clutches are really for letting a load down s-l-o-w-l-y or at least as 
slowly as you could do so with the handcrank.  however, there are lots 
of stories of broken hands, wrists, arms, etc from that crank getting 
away and spinning like crazy as the tower collapsed upon itself.

point is, we need a clutch to get it up and a clutch to let it down in 
a controlled manner.  once we get it to where we want it to stop, 
there should be a mechanical manner to stick a nail in a couple of 
holes or somesuch<G> instead of counting on the clutch to hold it with 
the power off.  also, we do not want to use a 1/2" drill to do the job 
since it still has no let-down clutching.

on the power subject, I would want 110VAC since the tower is just 
outside the fascia of my house's North wall and at the same time, I 
want about  25' of remote control cable so that I can stand off and 
watch it go up or come down.   so, that is what i am looking for in a 
winch and any that will fit on a front bumper of a truck should work 
as long as it has that let-it-down clutch capability.  a LOT of them 
do NOT !!!  The bumper winches will do your job if you want 12vDC.

ok back to lurk to see what suggestions come out of the tower users here.

73, chas/k5dam
Houston, TX
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