Icing On Motors

[rckowal]

Can any of you who live in cold climates tell me if you've experienced icing on motors to the point that they will not turn? We had sleet & freezing rain which turned to snow here yesterday. Today, the temperature never got above freezing, so the ice would not have melted.

From what I can tell (indoors from the receiver - it's dark now so can't see the dish/motor on the roof) the motor probably isn't turning. Since I've never had any winter experience with them, this has me wondering just how much of a problem motor icing might be.

Your comments based upon experience will be very much appreciated.

Best regards

[pmb1010]

Originally Posted by rckowal

Can any of you who live in cold climates tell me if you've experienced icing on motors to the point that they will not turn? We had sleet & freezing rain which turned to snow here yesterday. Today, the temperature never got above freezing, so the ice would not have melted.

From what I can tell (indoors from the receiver - it's dark now so can't see the dish/motor on the roof) the motor probably isn't turning. Since I've never had any winter experience with them, this has me wondering just how much of a problem motor icing might be.

Your comments based upon experience will be very much appreciated.

Best regards

Well I can't comment on winter use specifically (yet, but I will be able to very soon today we had our 1st snow) but long ago before cable TV, we all had roof antennas. Many had rotors. These dish rotators don't seem much different in operation from the old style tv rotor, and we used those daily with no problems. The lube inside these rotors should not freeze, they seem like they are sealed well to keep water out.

I don't expect any problems...

[rckowal]

Hi PMB1010, Thanks for the reply, it's appreciated.

Ahhh, the good old days! I'm an "old fart" so I know all about TV antenna rotors. Also, I'm a ham radio guy, so I used them there as well. Only rarely was there an icing problem with them. However, altough these positioner motors work about the same way, they aren't built as robust as their predecessors.

Case in point, I have already experienced a damaged gear train in my motor in the middle of summer. When it was exchanged under warranty, I was advised to not put "hard hand pressure" (which I never did in the first place) on the rotating mechanism since this could cause such damage. The reason is that these things have tiny, weakly made, plastic gears which belong in toys, not motors that have to operate reliably in some really nasty winter weather.

I hope they do hold up - but so far, it's a guessing game. I've seen some posts regarding C band BUD's where positioner icing is a problem. I don't know if this translates to KU band positioners. Perhaps someone with actual end use or factory testing experience will step forward with more information.

Best regards

[pmb1010]

> I'm an "old fart" so I know all about TV antenna rotors.

Me, too.

> Also, I'm a ham radio guy,

Me too. (I'll be having fun on CQWW-CW this weekend)

> that these things have tiny, weakly made, plastic gears

doesn't surprize me. I have not taken one apart, but the way things are being built today (throw away rather than fix) I'd guess they'd be at least some type of "pot metal" and not plastic.

These dishes are comparable to holding a garbage can outside a car window going down the road at 40mph. Imagine the stress on the gears!

Suppose we'll both be finding out next few months...

[rckowal]

PMB1010, Hi OM. Always a pleasure to meet another one.

Unlike a "Tail Twister" which is built stronger than a Mack Truck, the housings on these positioner motors are pot metal. This tells us where they're coming from & what the quality & engineering is like. A replier on another website said these motors don't do very well in the colder climates.

He uses a widget called a "battery blanket" or "battery warmer" to keep it from icing up or jamming due to the cold. They're actually intended to warm auto batteries for more reliable starting on sub-zero days. They can be wrapped around the motor & just plugged into 117 VAC house current. He said he leaves his on 24/7 when the weather warrants.

Have fun on CQWW! Although I used to, I haven't done that one in years now. 73