af650...just to let you know that the digital box and remote from the cm9521 also works with the old Radioshack 1501245 rotor.

You could certainly pre-wire with something like thermostat wire (5-conductor) or underground sprinkler cable (4-6 wire depending on product). Most tv rotors require 3- or 4-conductor cable. The bigger amateur radio ones require more (Yaesu needs 5; I don't know about Hy-Gain).

Hmm, so it sounds like products are a bit all over the place. What about gauge? solid vs. stranded? Thermostat wire is 18 gauge solid around here. Is that what you had in mind? A quick scan and I think I managed to find something on the channel master... 22/4. This gauge seems rather low. Thanks for the reply.

Rotor wire needs to be run directly to where the controller will be located. The controller supplies the power and plugs into a standard outlet.

Personally I use a combo coax/phone jack wall plate. I pass the rotor wire through the opening where the phone plug would have gone. It required a slight destructive mod to the back of the plate.
I tried wiring the rotor wire to the plates phone jack connectors, then using an old phone cord to wire to the controller, but the phone cord wires and connections didn't pass enough juice to run the rotor.
This changes a few things. Thanks for letting me know! Maybe I'll run via the wiring closet before going to the living room then. Of course that means it can only be controller via one location. Has anyone come up with a solution for controlling from various locations?

Hmm, so it sounds like products are a bit all over the place. What about gauge? solid vs. stranded? Thermostat wire is 18 gauge solid around here. Is that what you had in mind? A quick scan and I think I managed to find something on the channel master... 22/4. This gauge seems rather low. Thanks for the reply.For long runs you want the thicker (lower gauge) wire. Thermostat wire sounds about perfect.

Stranded wire is more flexible than solid.

As of tonight the rotor has stop turning. The installation occured last Saturday. Anyone ever had this happen to them?

I had a Radiio Shack rotor (don't know who actually made the thing) that worked perfectly on the bench, but wouldn't work on the mast.
I finally figured out that it was just too flimsy for the job. As soon as the wind tried to turn the antenna, the rotor would jam. Take the load off it and it worked perfectly.

What rotor, what antenna? Have you checked the voltage off the rotor control box?

He's using an old Archer with a big combo antenna:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=833055&postcount=653

Mark2074, have you noticed any difference with the controller box?

Stampeder apparently the installer sent a guy over and mentioned that 1-10 of these rotors (CM 9521A) lock up due north. When I syncronized the rotor it got stuck on north. He temporary turned the whole mast so the antenna would point south until they come back to replace it soon. It's amazing after a week this would happen.

Would anyone here have a vintage controller that they don't use anymore and is up for grabs? I used to have an Archer controller from Radio Shack, but it broke. I threw it out. I regret I did.

mentioned that 1-10 of these rotors (CM 9521A) lock up due north.Almost all brands of TV rotors I've ever heard of have a physical stop point up in the actual rotor housing. This is to prevent overwinding of the antenna, which would totally confuse the controller box's settings.

Some brands have it at due south, some at due north. In the case of yours, the mark on the rotor housing must be pointed at geographic north, not magnetic north, and the controller must never get closer than about 2 or 3 degrees to it or it causes wear and tear over its lifetime. Thankfully in your area there's no need for aiming straight north.

Sad to hear that some of the CM rotors seem to barf on that. Is this covered by warranty?

Yes, it is under warranty. The installer will replace it when he can.

Mark2074,

Not sure of what wire is being used with your 9521 rotor. I installed mine early this summer, and experienced frequent failures. I checked, and re-checked all connections, but nothing helped. I finally repalced the thin CM wire that came with the rotor with wire from Radio Shack. The rotor now works flawlessly, and stays synchronized much longer.:)

Glen

Well I've had my 9521a installed for about 1 year and it consistantly stops moving when the temp goes below freezing. I contacted channel master (Ron) and was told they do not have many problems. He did fax a pdf of the rotator where I noticed they have a hd unit as well. I took apart an old rotator and do not see what areas would be suseptible to freezing other than the area just below the rubber ring at the top of the unit. With all the gearing and mechanical advantage of small to big gears, I can not see it as being reasonable that the gears are freezing up.

If any one out there has any info or suggestions to resolve this issue it would be greatly appreciated. I would consider installing the hy gain AR 40 or similar yaesu 800sa but it seems as though I would loose the wireless features of the channel master.

I am located north of Acton, Ont using a delhi sim to 4228 on a 40 foot tower with a channel master amp (7777?).

Help please any one as I think I'm left with creative use of silicone and a lot of grease!!!!:confused:

I've had several CM rotors in the air during cold weather and haven't noticed any problems.If using a mast support bearing,that could certainly freeze up with ice.The last one I lubbed up I used some motorcycle chain spray grease and it works well.The rubber boot I always use vasaline.

As for the control wire,I think the normally used stuff uses too small gauge wire and starves those little motors from the needed current.I use 16ga outdoor extension cord that's normally used for Christmas lights and such.You can find it cheap around the holidays at dollar stores and it seems to hold up good and a whole bunch cheaper than 16ga outdoor trouble cord in the bulk.Use spade crimp ends on the wire.

The CM 9515 HD rotor is no longer made.I used to have one.All the gears were double thickness.Sometimes one can be found on ebay.

I intend to install a bracket support on the side of my house .The support pipe (1-1/4" EMT pipe) will be about 5ft long (at this 5ft point there will be another side bracket). On top of the pipe I will mount the rotor.
If I intend to mount 2 - 4 bay antennas (stacked,one on top of othe other),will there be any need for a 3rd bracket (bearing upper mount),or will the rotor on its own be sufficient ?(probably 5 to 6ft total for this section of 1-1/4" pipe).
As per drawing (excuse crudeness)
Thanks
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a321/wee-haggis/January12009.jpg

The contractor made a rotor swap a couple of weeks ago. The newer CM 9521a freezes up only during the first few initial seconds and then the drive unit responds. Which is annoying because I cannot program preset positions since it won't go back to that position.
I did manage to get my other rotor a top the 45ft tower to rotate, it took a lot of time. I took advantage of the wind storm we had in the GTA on Tuesday and assisted in bouncing it ever so slightly CCW towards Buffalo. Unfortunately, I rotated it CW and it is now stuck pointing towards Hamilton. Now, that the temps are below -5C, it is even more difficult to turn. My objective is to rotate it permanently to Buffalo.

will the rotor on its own be sufficientYou'll be fine without one. Generally the purpose of a thrust bearing is to provide long-term benefits to a rotor mounted way up high on a tower that you cannot easily get to. The thrust bearing serves to reduce vibration caused by the wind and snow load on the antennas, so the rotor lives longer.

In your case the side of the house lessens the wind load and when snow builds up you can tap them with a stick to reduce any snow buildup.

The newer CM 9521a freezes up only during the first few initial seconds and then the drive unit responds.Man you are having some terrible luck with rotors and their installers! As hoosierdxer mentions, maybe the wiring isn't suitable.

Man you are having some terrible luck with rotors and their installers! As hoosierdxer mentions, maybe the wiring isn't suitable.
Agree 100%, It's probably the wiring!!

Just thought I would mention that thermostat 3 wire 18 gau seems to be inexpensive and works for me. I found it at major hardware store and it appears to be well insulated but I do not know how long it will last under the conditions.

Question:

I just threw up my (the source) rotor on a mast. I want it to point north when the dial is also pointed north. This is currently not the case. I do not want to climb on the roof. Any suggestions?

If the rotor has no limitations in rotation (it will go around until told to stop) then I could easily do this by disconnecting wires, turning dial to proper location (while plugged in) and then reconnecting. What I am worried about is reaching a rotation limit on the motor. Can anyone help and provide a solution?