Allow me to again offer the schematic I traced
out for my HDX5106, if that is helpful for
troubleshooting. Other models are similar if
not identical. A brief theory of operation:
Throw switch, current passes through limit switch,
then to delay relay. After delay relay turns
on, the motor relay turns on and the motor hopefully
turns. There is a separate limit switch, delay
relay and motor relay for each direction. There is
also a main on/off power relay that has to be
energized. This is common to both directions. It
should be easy to troubleshoot with a schematic
and voltmeter.
Rick N6RK
On 1/17/2011 12:21 PM, Ed Magnuson wrote:
> I have had the relay problem with my HDX-555 and plugging in a good spare
> fixed it, as suggested here.
>
> I have also had the lower limit switch trigger rod get out of line and used
> a pliers to fix it. It is so easy to reach.
>
> I now have a problem with the upper limit switch so that the tower goes down
> but the motor does not start to pull up. As noted before, I am following
> some great tips on this reflector and will tilt the tower over when the
> weather gets better and examine that upper limit switch. It appears jammed.
>
> Yes, please post any remedies you discover. Good luck.
>
> Ed, W1MAG
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-request@contesting.com
> Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 1:54 PM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: TowerTalk Digest, Vol 97, Issue 43
>
> Send TowerTalk mailing list submissions to
> towertalk@contesting.com
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> towertalk-request@contesting.com
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> towertalk-owner@contesting.com
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of TowerTalk digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. HDx89MDPL winch motor stopped eorking (Dick Dievendorff)
> 2. Re: HDx89MDPL winch motor stopped working (Jim McDonald)
> 3. Re: AllRFCables (Eric Dobrowansky K2WD)
> 4. Re: current balance in ladder line? (Steve Hunt)
> 5. Re: Tower Paint (David Gilbert)
> 6. Re: HDx89MDPL winch motor stopped eorking
> (Richard (Rick) Karlquist)
> 7. Re: HDx89MDPL winch motor stopped eorking (Robert Harmon)
> 8. Re: HDx89MDPL winch motor stopped eorking (Dick Dievendorff)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:58:38 -0800
> From: Dick Dievendorff<dieven@comcast.net>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] HDx89MDPL winch motor stopped eorking
> To: "towertalk@contesting.com"<towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID:<1E711E40-DB81-4EE1-8464-083891296234@comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
>> 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
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 10:04:21 -0600
> From: "Jim McDonald"<jim@n7us.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] HDx89MDPL winch motor stopped working
> To:<towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID:<002d01cbb660$34b1e320$9e15a960$@net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Dick,
>
> In answer to the last question, US Tower sells a hand crank. It is mounted
> to a round plate with bolts and nuts and fits into, more or less, the pulley
> on the gearbox. It is difficult to keep it in place when turning it, and it
> takes a long time (many revolutions) to lower the tower. You have to remove
> the perforated safety guard to get access to the pulley.
>
> Jim N7US
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
>
>> 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
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:10:52 +0000 (UTC)
> From: Eric Dobrowansky K2WD<k2wd@comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] AllRFCables
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Message-ID:
> <1410434144.1360573.1295280652034.JavaMail.root@sz0046a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
>
>
> I've purchased and used a considerable amount of AllRFCables (Shireen)
> RFC400 cable. Over 10k feet so far. ? In fact, I have almost 2000ft in
> service at the moment at my?own?qth. Ten runs from the shack to the tower,
> six runs up the tower, and a few to the wire antennas.?I am very happy with
> it.? It is as good as Times LMR400. I am even using it in a loop (for the
> rotor) at the top of the tower, and no issues so far. The other hams I have
> delivered it to are also happy with it.
>
>
>
> It is hard, if not impossible,?to beat for the price.? I am close enough
> where I have been able to pick up my bulk purchases a few times, which saved
> a lot on shipping.?The owner and his staff have been very nice to deal with.
>
>
>
> I would not hesitate to try it. But see for yourself - call them and they
> will be more than happy to send you? a?1ft sample of their 400 and 600
> series cables.
>
>
>
> Eric
>
> K2CB
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 09:04:49 -0500
> From: Steve Maki<lists@oakcom.org>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] AllRFCables.com?
> To: towertalk<towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID:<4D344C81.5050301@oakcom.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> It's probably Shireen RFC600. Shireen claims their cables are made in
> USA. I've used a few reels of their RFC400 and the quality seems
> equivalent to LMR.
>
> -Steve K8LX
>
> On 1/16/2011 10:13 PM, Roger wrote:
>> On 1/16/2011 8:36 PM, Alan NV8A wrote:
>>> Anyone bought from AllRFCables.com? They are advertising "similar to
>>> LMR600" cable marked "RFC600" for what seems like a good price -- if
>>> it's good quality.
>>>
>> At 95 cents per foot or 78 cents per foot in 500 foot lots the price is
>> good with LMR-600 now running about $1.40 to $1.50 a foot. YMMV
>> depending on vendors.
>>
>> HOWEVER it's the "equivalent" statement that should add a note of
>> caution. ?The stuff may be every bit as good as LMR-600 and it may not.
>> IT may stand up as well, better, or no where near a long as Times Wire
>> LMR cables. ?Untill some one knowledgeable tests it out and it's been
>> used widely (or it's made to spec by a known manufacturer) the quality
>> remains a question.
>>
>> To me the LMR cables are great. ?The LMR - UF cables are not. ?I've had
>> good luck with the former and very poor with the latter. ?Not only did I
>> have jackets split, I had them develop pin holes in areas that were not
>> subjected to any abrading or external contact. ?The jackets in question
>> were just coming down the side of a mast exposed to the elements.
>>
>> Possibly some one on here is familiar with that cable and who makes it.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Roger (K8RI)
>>> 73
>>>
>>> Alan NV8A
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 09:04:49 -0500
> From: Steve Maki<lists@oakcom.org>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] AllRFCables.com?
> To: towertalk<towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID:<4D344C81.5050301@oakcom.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> It's probably Shireen RFC600. Shireen claims their cables are made in
> USA. I've used a few reels of their RFC400 and the quality seems
> equivalent to LMR.
>
> -Steve K8LX
>
> On 1/16/2011 10:13 PM, Roger wrote:
>> On 1/16/2011 8:36 PM, Alan NV8A wrote:
>>> Anyone bought from AllRFCables.com? They are advertising "similar to
>>> LMR600" cable marked "RFC600" for what seems like a good price -- if
>>> it's good quality.
>>>
>> At 95 cents per foot or 78 cents per foot in 500 foot lots the price is
>> good with LMR-600 now running about $1.40 to $1.50 a foot. YMMV
>> depending on vendors.
>>
>> HOWEVER it's the "equivalent" statement that should add a note of
>> caution. ?The stuff may be every bit as good as LMR-600 and it may not.
>> IT may stand up as well, better, or no where near a long as Times Wire
>> LMR cables. ?Untill some one knowledgeable tests it out and it's been
>> used widely (or it's made to spec by a known manufacturer) the quality
>> remains a question.
>>
>> To me the LMR cables are great. ?The LMR - UF cables are not. ?I've had
>> good luck with the former and very poor with the latter. ?Not only did I
>> have jackets split, I had them develop pin holes in areas that were not
>> subjected to any abrading or external contact. ?The jackets in question
>> were just coming down the side of a mast exposed to the elements.
>>
>> Possibly some one on here is familiar with that cable and who makes it.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Roger (K8RI)
>>> 73
>>>
>>> Alan NV8A
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:08:29 +0000
> From: Steve Hunt<steve@karinya.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] current balance in ladder line?
> To: Grant Saviers<grants2@pacbell.net>
> Cc: towertalk@contesting.com
> Message-ID:<4D34778D.7040505@karinya.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Grant,
>
> The 1:1 choke at the ladderline/coax junction will impede conducted CM
> current from flowing back along the outside of the coax sheath. That
> will drive equal and opposite leg currents in the ladderline *at that
> point*.
>
> As you rightly suppose, other factors which unbalance the antenna or
> ladderline could still cause CM current at other points along the
> ladderline, despite the choke at the junction.
>
> 73,
> Steve G3TXQ
>
> On 17/01/2011 03:48, Grant Saviers wrote:
>> I'm using a ladder line fed 80m dipole as an all band antenna with a
>> tuned length of line, high Z 1:1 choke at the LL to coax junction. One
>> assumption in these antennas kinda baffles me, so here is a question for
>> tower-talkians with expertise in transmission lines and baluns:
>>
>> Why is the current into the antenna balanced? If I adequately choke the
>> coax at the ladder line junction the current should be balanced there.
>> Theory says ladder line doesn't radiate IF the current is equal (must be
>> equal in phase and amplitude I assume) in both wires, but it will get
>> unbalanced if one side is near metal, etc. So what happens on the
>> ladder line if the antenna is not balanced at the feedpoint?
>>
>> Is there such a device as a ladder line balun ala the baluns used to
>> drive ethernet twisted pairs? (seems like a similar problem but at 100
>> ohms pair Z, a ferrite 1:1 current balun is not difficult to build).
>>
>> Grant KZ1W
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 10:15:44 -0700
> From: David Gilbert<xdavid@cis-broadband.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower Paint
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Message-ID:<4D347940.9020903@cis-broadband.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
>
> When I installed my AN Wireless HD-70 tower I wanted to paint it with
> dark, flat colors to minimize the visual impact to the rest of the
> neighborhood. Dan Simmonds, the owner, told me that a good quality
> exterior grade latex house paint should work fine painted directly over
> the galvanizing. The tower was new and free of any oil, and it worked
> fine. I used two coats with a brush and the stuff is on there like
> battle armor.
>
> 73,
> Dave AB7E
>
>
>
> On 1/17/2011 6:04 AM, Pete Smith wrote:
>> There's a lot in the archive on this. I used a pressure washer to
>> remove the old loose paint, then a primer specially formulated for
>> galvanized metal, followed by good quality latex house paint. After 15
>> years, aside from a little wear on the tower rungs from climbing, it
>> looks essentially like it did the day I painted it.
>>
>> 73, Pete N4ZR
>>
>> The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at
>> www.conteststations.com
>> The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at
>> reversebeacon.blogspot.com,
>> spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000
>>
>>
>>
>> On 1/17/2011 7:39 AM, Joel Harrison wrote:
>>> I have a tower I have acquired that has been painted red& white that I
>>> want
>>> to paint over so it looks "natural" or as close to its unpainted
>>> galvanized
>>> color as possible. The tower is in excellent condx so it is just a
>>> cosmetics
>>> issue, not a structural one of rust or diminishing galvanizing.
>>>
>>> Is there a specific paint that anyone here has used or any tips on tower
>>> painting?
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 09:34:37 -0800
> From: "Richard (Rick) Karlquist"<richard@karlquist.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] HDx89MDPL winch motor stopped eorking
> To: Dick Dievendorff<dieven@comcast.net>
> Cc: "towertalk@contesting.com"<towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID:<4D347DAD.6000308@karlquist.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Try swapping the time delay relays to see if
> the down relay went bad. They are socketed.
> These are low reliability components.
>
> "nothing happens" isn't the capacitor. If
> that goes, the motor will make a lot of noise
> and not move.
>
> Rick N6RK
>
> On 1/17/2011 7:58 AM, Dick Dievendorff wrote:
>>> 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
>>
>>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 10:22:34 -0800
> From: Robert Harmon<k6uj@pacbell.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] HDx89MDPL winch motor stopped eorking
> To: Dick Dievendorff<dieven@comcast.net>
> Cc: towertalk reflector<towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID:<22B28BC7-04F5-49AC-8EE3-AF75835DA937@pacbell.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Dick,
> I have a HDX589MDPL also. I am very interested in what you find.
> Please keep us advised. I believe these towers have a worm reduction
> gearbox and we can crank the the pulley wheel on the gearbox around by hand
> to raise and lower it. I haven't yet had to do this with mine, anybody
> on the forum done this with their HDX ?
>
> Bob
> K6UJ
>
>
>
> On Jan 17, 2011, at 9:34 AM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
>
>> Try swapping the time delay relays to see if
>> the down relay went bad. They are socketed.
>> These are low reliability components.
>>
>> "nothing happens" isn't the capacitor. If
>> that goes, the motor will make a lot of noise
>> and not move.
>>
>> Rick N6RK
>>
>> On 1/17/2011 7:58 AM, Dick Dievendorff wrote:
>>>> 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
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 10:50:55 -0800
> From: Dick Dievendorff<dieven@comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] HDx89MDPL winch motor stopped eorking
> To: Robert Harmon<k6uj@pacbell.net>
> Cc: towertalk reflector<towertalk@contesting.com>
> Message-ID:<B782107C-B89D-4E00-ADBC-36E9165CCA50@comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> What I have heard so far is:
>
> 1) I can get the tower down by removing the safety guard and the v belt and
> turn the wheel by hand. It will take a long time to do this. Down is much
> easier than up. Be careful. Take rests. Halfway down gives me a lot of
> strength.
>
> 2) US Towers sells a crank. It takes a long time. I plan to call them on
> Tuesday fir suggestions.
>
> 3) this doesn't sound like a motor capacitor failure, which would be
> noisier. There are a couple of socketed timing relays that I should try
> swapping
>
> I'm away until Wednesday morning, and I'll start on this then. I'll let you
> all know what I learn.
>
> 73 de Dick, K6KR
>
> On Jan 17, 2011, at 10:22, Robert Harmon<k6uj@pacbell.net> wrote:
>
>> Dick,
>> I have a HDX589MDPL also. I am very interested in what you find.
>> Please keep us advised. I believe these towers have a worm reduction
>> gearbox and we can crank the the pulley wheel on the gearbox around by
>> hand
>> to raise and lower it. I haven't yet had to do this with mine, anybody
>> on the forum done this with their HDX ?
>>
>> Bob
>> K6UJ
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jan 17, 2011, at 9:34 AM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
>>
>>> Try swapping the time delay relays to see if
>>> the down relay went bad. They are socketed.
>>> These are low reliability components.
>>>
>>> "nothing happens" isn't the capacitor. If
>>> that goes, the motor will make a lot of noise
>>> and not move.
>>>
>>> Rick N6RK
>>>
>>> On 1/17/2011 7:58 AM, Dick Dievendorff wrote:
>>>>> 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
>>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> End of TowerTalk Digest, Vol 97, Issue 43
> *****************************************
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
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