N1LAF
08-14-2007, 04:41 PM
Couple years ago a friend gave me a tower with a CDR rotor, and a Mosley Classic CL-33 beam. Two weekends ago I poured the concrete for the base, and the antenna checks out fine. Last weekend I went after the rotor, rusty bolts and rusty plate expecting the worst. turns out that the bolts just broke free and didn't have any problems removing the rotor from the base. I figure I would get inside the rotor before i plug it in and give it a try. Good thing I did, this is what I am up against...
90 of the 98 bearings are rusted. The brake frozen locked. All the internal springs associated with the brake are broken. Looking at the Hy Gain rotor that is the closest to it, its $550 - $600 rotor. The electrical, no problem, and I have the can-do attitude, but I am not so strong on the proper mechanical handling. So I am going to rehabilitate this rotor, as long as it is not too expensive (ie, cheaper to buy new or second hand).
Should see the rotor control box, looks really old. Bet I could 'modernize' the insides.
This is what I have done so far:
1. Rotor is just about completely disassembled, all parts in one box
2. With help of penetrating oil, I have gotten the brake bar out of its slot (with the help of a screw driver and hammer).
3. Motor windings look great. This weekend I will give it the power on test to see if the motor works fine, and the brake coil activates.
4. I am loading up on the penetrating oil on the spring clips, if lucky, I will eventually be able to pull them out.
I think I can get replacement springs from True Value.
Here are my questions:
1. Where can I go to replace these round bearings?
2. What kind of lubricant will I need for the bearings when I put the rotor back together?
3. Best way to clean the junk off the rotor housing, and again with lubrication of moving parts?
Once I get the bearings and proper lubrication, no reason why i couldn't get this rotor back together. I'll take some pictures so you can see what I am up against.
90 of the 98 bearings are rusted. The brake frozen locked. All the internal springs associated with the brake are broken. Looking at the Hy Gain rotor that is the closest to it, its $550 - $600 rotor. The electrical, no problem, and I have the can-do attitude, but I am not so strong on the proper mechanical handling. So I am going to rehabilitate this rotor, as long as it is not too expensive (ie, cheaper to buy new or second hand).
Should see the rotor control box, looks really old. Bet I could 'modernize' the insides.
This is what I have done so far:
1. Rotor is just about completely disassembled, all parts in one box
2. With help of penetrating oil, I have gotten the brake bar out of its slot (with the help of a screw driver and hammer).
3. Motor windings look great. This weekend I will give it the power on test to see if the motor works fine, and the brake coil activates.
4. I am loading up on the penetrating oil on the spring clips, if lucky, I will eventually be able to pull them out.
I think I can get replacement springs from True Value.
Here are my questions:
1. Where can I go to replace these round bearings?
2. What kind of lubricant will I need for the bearings when I put the rotor back together?
3. Best way to clean the junk off the rotor housing, and again with lubrication of moving parts?
Once I get the bearings and proper lubrication, no reason why i couldn't get this rotor back together. I'll take some pictures so you can see what I am up against.