I have a similar, but not identical, Tri-Ex tower.
With my tower, when this happens, sometimes the upper/lower limit switch has
jammed, shorted, corroded open, etc. With the Tri-Ex and I assume HD, it is
fairly easy to jumper/bypass the limit switches for testing. I would not
recommend permanent bypass, and if you do bypass, operate/observe locally at
the tower and do not operate remotely control.
I have also had the limit switch cables get leaky, causing GFI fault, but it
sounds like you have this covered. Additionally, all interconnect plugs &
sockets are suspect, and worthy of some shots of DeOxyt and cleaning.
Another possibility (this is very basic, but I have been embarassed by
overlooking it myself) is the Tri-Ex motor is fused inside the control box.
Has about an 8A slo-blo fuse, which (if the motor bearings, starter caps,
etc. are getting tired) will sometimes work and sometimes blow. If you are
lucky to find this condition a liberal amount of lubrication on the motor
shafts, and more frequent up/down repositioning, can "recover" this
condition and save you from a lot more major repair work.
Someone commented that the starter cap might not show a pass/fail condition.
Could be with the HD but with my TriEx tower (which uses a Leeson wash-down
type motor) has both starter cap and starter relay; mine has failed without
abvious noise, fire, or blown fuses. These are cheap parts if you shop for
them (under $20 for all) and are exposed to rain and corrosion even though
they are under sealed/gasketed compartments. Since you are in maintenance
mode anyway, the parts are cheap, and assuming your motor is similar in
design, I would replace these parts just because they will improve your
long-term reliability at a very low cost. ("If it ain't broke, don't replace
it...unless it's dirt cheap...")
Another suggestion, if you are operating the tower remotely, is to install a
mic + audio amp ("snooper" audio amp) in the control box and run a speaker
back to the shack. It's not as good as "being there" but you can easily hear
& discern "good sounds" from "bad sounds". I've had that amp @ the tower for
years...thinking of adding CCTV for remote monitoring.
GL es 73
Dan
K0DAN
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dick Dievendorff" <dieven@comcast.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 9:58 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] HDx89MDPL winch motor stopped eorking
>> I went out on Friday afternoon to lower the tower. Nothing happened when
>> I flipped the switch. I checked the plug and GFI breaker, it seems to
>> have juice
>>
>> I plan to return in Tuesday and begin diagnosis. I'll check for AC power
>> at the outlet, and inside the box mounted on the tower. Beyond that I'm
>> in new territory. Motor start capacitor? How does one test that?
>> How would I go about bringing the tower down at least partway manually?
>
> Dick, K6KR
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|