Wellbrook Loop Pipe Adapter Options

[Merovingian]

I will soon be installing my Wellbrook Loop antenna. I am going to mount it on a TV antenna rotor however the flange and the short pipe they sent with it is too small in diameter to clamp it into the rotor. I'll probably need a 1-1/4" - 1-1/2" diameter short pipe to attach it to so it can be clamped in the rotor.

My problem is the flange. I found that it uses an M20X1.5 thread. The pipe screws into the flange about 20mm.

What I would like to have is a M20X1.5, 20mm long male thread to a 1-1/4" NPT female thread adapter, one made of aluminum or stainless steel. That doesn't seem to exists. My second option is an M20 to 1/2" NPT adapter $5.10. ( Metric 20 to 1/2" NPT Adapter - RAM-20M50F | ElecDirect ) however that doesn't help me much with the pipe size. I haven't found a 1/2" NPT to 1-1/4" female adapter.



I also found a M20 to 3/4" NPT adapter $34.57 ( 737DM2T25 - Appleton - Threaded Adapters | Galco Industrial Electronics ) which is a little bigger, and a lot more expensive but again I haven't found a 3/4" to 1-1/4" adapter.



There seems to be a plastic PVC 1-1/4" to 1/2" adapter ( ADAPTER PIPE TO PIPE 1 1/4"FEMALE TO 1/2"MALE ) I cannot find something like that in aluminum or stainless steel.


Does anyone know where or if I can find something like that in metal? Or some other adapter option?

Thanks!

 

[wowologist]

You might have to peruse UK plumbing sights for parts.

 

[Merovingian]

You might have to peruse UK plumbing sights for parts.

You may be right. I'll continue searching. I sent a message to a company that may have what I am looking for but I'm not sure if they have that specific adapter available. I'll have to wait until they get back to me to know for sure.

 

[wowologist]

ya sorry, I've looked also and it may very well be thats a UK/EU type fitting. THe only ones I kept coming up with in the US/Canada area are the plastic one you already...GL man. You might try grainger UK ...

 

[Merovingian]

ya sorry, I've looked also and it may very well be thats a UK/EU type fitting. THe only ones I kept coming up with in the US/Canada area are the plastic one you already...GL man.

Thanks

 

[krokus]

Would a different flange fit?

 

[ridgescan]

Don't laugh but how I solved this was I tightly wrapped a custom amount of duct tape around the Wellbrook's mount pipe just enough to torque it into a larger diameter pipe so I could mount that larger pipe into the rotator. I kept slowly adding duct tape till it was just enough to have to really jam it into the larger pipe. Worked out really well.
Been up there like that since 2013.

 

[Merovingian]

Would a different flange fit?

I looked into getting another flange, I couldn't find one to fit.

 

[Merovingian]

Don't laugh but how I solved this was I tightly wrapped a custom amount of duct tape around the Wellbrook's mount pipe just enough to torque it into a larger diameter pipe so I could mount that larger pipe into the rotator. I kept slowly adding duct tape till it was just enough to have to really jam it into the larger pipe. Worked out really well.
Been up there like that since 2013.

Heh heh heh interesting idea. It sounds like it works. I'm wanting to avoid the use of duct tape.

 

[morfis]

Years since I mounted mine but IIRC I used a metal mop head bracket bolted through the useless plastic antenna box (why do Wellbrook use such carp fittings on what is otherwise a good antenna?). It has survived 90mph winds and years of abuse (the Welbrook box and antenna connector have had to be repaired with expoxy /self-amalgamating tape several times though). No idea if old metal mop brackets are the same everywhere else in the world but try checking out your local hardware store just in case!
Problem with my method was building up the small diameter pipe to the rotator but a couple of small steel wedges sorted that.

 

[Merovingian]

I found a company that sells a single piece adapter with M20 male threads on one side and 1-1/4" female NPT threads on the other. The problem is that it isn't a stocked item. They are willing to sell it to me but they have to manufacture it first. It has a lead time of 6-8 weeks and a cost of $250-$400 due to minimum quantities. All of that is too rich for my blood, I'm not that desperate for it anyway.

As a backup I found a two piece option, an M20X1.5 male thread to 1/2" NPT adapter. Next I bought a 1/2" NPT Male to 1" NPT female reducer/adapter made of brass/bronze. I also ordered a 1" NPT stainless steel pipe 1' long, threaded on one side to attach everything to the antenna rotor.

 

[ridgescan]

Heh heh heh interesting idea. It sounds like it works. I'm wanting to avoid the use of duct tape.

Yup, working great. It was the only method I could dream up to solve the dilemma we face. And it turns out that duct tape employed in that particular situation proved to be extremely strong as an insert to the pipe. Go figure.

 

[Merovingian]

Yup, working great. It was the only method I could dream up to solve the dilemma we face. And it turns out that duct tape employed in that particular situation proved to be extremely strong as an insert to the pipe. Go figure.

I'm glad it worked out for you. I guess if it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[JerryX]

Have a friend with a lathe? Perhaps he can make an adapter for you.

 

[Merovingian]

Have a friend with a lathe? Perhaps he can make an adapter for you.

I greatly appreciate the offer. If this was a couple of days ago I might have taken you up on it. I've already ordered a couple of parts that should do what I need, it's not as nice as having a single part but it should work okay. . . I hope. I'll have to wait until I receive them to know for sure.

 

[Merovingian]

At last the last adapter I needed arrived in the mail today (1" NPT to 1/2" NPT). I was able to test assemble everything and it it all seems to go together pretty well. So for the record I have:

A STST 1" NPT pipe, threaded on one end that clamps into the antenna rotor really well.
A Brass/Bronze 1" NPT female to 1/2" NPT male adapter.
A STST 1/2" NPT female to M20X1.5 male thread adapter.

That screws into the mounting flange on the bottom of the Wellbrook loop. I would have liked to do all of that with one adapter but they seem to be very hard to find, are non-standard, and have to be made to order if you can fine someone who says they carry them.

I wish Wellbrook would change their mounting flange for the North American version to a 1" NPT flange or something.

I hope the M20 adapter that is threaded into the mounting flange won't unscrew itself over time.

 

[krokus]

I hope the M20 adapter that is threaded into the mounting flange won't unscrew itself over time.

Thread locker might help.

 

[Merovingian]

I don't have any at the moment. If it does work its way loose I'll have to get some.

Thread locker might help.