Antenna Rotor Power

[jp2code]

Hi. Newbie here.

I took an antenna down from a neighbor's house this past weekend that had not been used in 10 years.

It had a rotor on it, and I'd like to test it out to see if it works. The controller for the rotor is no longer a part of the home, so all I have is the exterior motor.

What kind of power do these take? 110V AC? 12V DC? How would I identify a manufacturer? I can't see any markings on it, and from what I've found online most new ones don't either.

I appreciate your time,
~Joe

 

[zz0468]

Hi. Newbie here.

I took an antenna down from a neighbor's house this past weekend that had not been used in 10 years.

It had a rotor on it, and I'd like to test it out to see if it works. The controller for the rotor is no longer a part of the home, so all I have is the exterior motor.

What kind of power do these take? 110V AC? 12V DC? How would I identify a manufacturer? I can't see any markings on it, and from what I've found online most new ones don't either.

I appreciate your time,
~Joe

Maybe if you post a picture if it and see if anyone here can identify it.

A lot of TV rotators operate on around 24VAC, and frequently require a starting capacitor, so you can't just hook a power source up to it and expect it to run.

 

[jp2code]

I don't really want to keep it. My dad is trying to give me an old controller that he has, but I'd rather not have the hassle of turning an antenna to pick up a signal.

I just want to verify that it works before I put it on eBay or Craig's List.

I'll see about getting a picture for the members to look at, though. Stay tuned!

 

[jp2code]

Images of the rotor assembly are attached.

Numbers on the unit shown in P1010107.JPG are 12898 (bottom), Y1-8 (middle), 98 (middle-right, I guess that's the year), 13208 on the neck as shown in P1010109.JPG.

Could someone help me identify this item? I want to try applying power to see if it works, but I don't know what voltages to use or what wires are positive, negative, and ground (DC) or common, neutral, and ground (AC).

 

[wb0wao]

That appears to be the standard Radio Shack light duty rotor that they sold for years. I have had a couple of them and they are useable but have a tendancy to "drift" a bit, so you have to re-sync them periodically. IIRC, they use a three wire control cable.

Dennis

 

[jp2code]

Figures. Probably not worth trying to sell then.

Any idea on what kind of power it takes? 110V AC? 24V DC?

 

[jackj]

Power

Figures. Probably not worth trying to sell then.

Any idea on what kind of power it takes? 110V AC? 24V DC?

I believe they use 24 V AC, not DC. Almost all antenna rotors use low voltage AC for safety reasons.