1985 TV antenna lifter motor

[erniecarpet@...]

when my antenna comes down, it will do the chatter routine, also.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Weatherford, Tx

---

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

[mrkane1952]

Greetings All:

I wanted to watch the play-offs in HD via off-the-air digital
broadcasts from the local stations, but the TV antenna lifter fails to
raise the antenna on my 1985 PT40. The motor makes "slipping clutch"
noises when run in either the "raise" or "lower" modes. After
removing the extension assembly, it was possible to use the motor to
raise the stubs to allow access to the (eighteen!!) cover screws, each
of which required an impact driver to loosen.

The lifter consists of a single assembly integrating motor and gear
train. The only mark is a sticker "Warner Electric."

There is a micro-switch positioned such that it probably was intended
to open the circuit, stopping the motor when the antenna was
completely retracted. However, the usual mode of operation during my
ownership has been to raise or lower the antenna until slipping is
heard. (This is a "tock-tock-tock" sound.)

Anyone have any experience with R/R on this unit?


Thanks--
M.R.Kane
1985 PT40
currently San Marcos, TX

PS: I seem to be in one of those phases: on the last trip down from
the roof, the plastic step-stool I've been using for some time
shattered to pieces. Had a good grip on the ladder, so no harm.
Managed to short out the power leads for the co-pilot seat by pinching
them in the swivel. Symptom was repeated tripping of a DC circuit
breaker in the curb-side forward load center. Troubleshooting was
unusual, as several wires of different colors were all numbered "10."
Last week discovered an inoperative slack adjuster on one side of the
drive axle, which had existed for some time judging from the different
wear on the brake shoes. Properly adjusted brakes work so much
better! And the previous week, the 50 A. receptacle on the coach
shorted out (at 1:08 A.M.,) burning a hole through the case. Was able
to get a reference number from Earl at BB, as the original
manufacturer, Arrow-Hart, is gone. Number is Bryant 7968 (Bryant is
owned by Hubbell.) These are U.L. approved, but not to current
(NEMA?) standards. In order to make the minimum order I also got the
connector for the coach end of the cord. A local electric supply
company in Seguin was able to get them overnight, but as usual there
were issues. The receptacle did not include the strain relief/seal on
the original--lucky that wasn't melted so I could reuse mine.
Secondly, although cataloged as the same steel plug as on my cord, the
new plug (Bryant 7764) is nylon, and about twice as long as the
original. It will work, but the compartment door cannot be closed and
locked as before...

[Mike Hohnstein]

Warner Electric, Beloit WI, RIP many years now.

MH

----- Original Message -----

From: "mrkane@isp.com"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 6:46 PM

Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 1985 TV antenna lifter motor

Greetings All:

I wanted to watch the play-offs in HD via off-the-air digital
broadcasts from the local stations, but the TV antenna lifter fails to
raise the antenna on my 1985 PT40. The motor makes "slipping clutch"
noises when run in either the "raise" or "lower" modes. After
removing the extension assembly, it was possible to use the motor to
raise the stubs to allow access to the (eighteen!!) cover screws, each
of which required an impact driver to loosen.

The lifter consists of a single assembly integrating motor and gear
train. The only mark is a sticker "Warner Electric."

There is a micro-switch positioned such that it probably was intended
to open the circuit, stopping the motor when the antenna was
completely retracted. However, the usual mode of operation during my
ownership has been to raise or lower the antenna until slipping is
heard. (This is a "tock-tock-tock" sound.)

Anyone have any experience with R/R on this unit?

Thanks--
M.R.Kane
1985 PT40
currently San Marcos, TX

PS: I seem to be in one of those phases: on the last trip down from
the roof, the plastic step-stool I've been using for some time
shattered to pieces. Had a good grip on the ladder, so no harm.
Managed to short out the power leads for the co-pilot seat by pinching
them in the swivel. Symptom was repeated tripping of a DC circuit
breaker in the curb-side forward load center. Troubleshooting was
unusual, as several wires of different colors were all numbered "10."
Last week discovered an inoperative slack adjuster on one side of the
drive axle, which had existed for some time judging from the different
wear on the brake shoes. Properly adjusted brakes work so much
better! And the previous week, the 50 A. receptacle on the coach
shorted out (at 1:08 A.M.,) burning a hole through the case. Was able
to get a reference number from Earl at BB, as the original
manufacturer, Arrow-Hart, is gone. Number is Bryant 7968 (Bryant is
owned by Hubbell.) These are U.L. approved, but not to current
(NEMA?) standards. In order to make the minimum order I also got the
connector for the coach end of the cord. A local electric supply
company in Seguin was able to get them overnight, but as usual there
were issues. The receptacle did not include the strain relief/seal on
the original--lucky that wasn't melted so I could reuse mine.
Secondly, although cataloged as the same steel plug as on my cord, the
new plug (Bryant 7764) is nylon, and about twice as long as the
original. It will work, but the compartment door cannot be closed and
locked as before...

[Pete Masterson]

My coach is 10 years newer -- and I thought the "tock-tock-tock" sound was the usual mode of operation. Now I wonder about that switch!

My antenna has worked as expected, except once when it hit some tree branches when it was raised. Then it wouldn't come down until I gave it a little push to get it started while my spouse pressed the 'down' switch.

Now you got me thinking that I'll have to pull the cover off to see what's in there!

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Jan 13, 2008, at 4:56 PM, Mike Hohnstein wrote:

Warner Electric, Beloit WI, RIP many years now.

MH

----- Original Message -----

From: "mrkane@isp.com"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 6:46 PM

Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 1985 TV antenna lifter motor

<snip>

There is a micro-switch positioned such that it probably was intended
to open the circuit, stopping the motor when the antenna was
completely retracted. However, the usual mode of operation during my
ownership has been to raise or lower the antenna until slipping is
heard. (This is a "tock-tock-tock" sound.)

[Don Bradner]

The micro switch should be for the "antenna is up" alarm. The slipping clutch is
the normal sound when reaching the stops; I would expect it if too much
resistance was being felt on the way up also.

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Posting today by satellite from Quartzsite, AZ

On 1/14/2008 at 12:46 AM mrkane1952 wrote:

>Greetings All:
>
>I wanted to watch the play-offs in HD via off-the-air digital
>broadcasts from the local stations, but the TV antenna lifter fails to
>raise the antenna on my 1985 PT40. The motor makes "slipping clutch"
>noises when run in either the "raise" or "lower" modes. After
>removing the extension assembly, it was possible to use the motor to
>raise the stubs to allow access to the (eighteen!!) cover screws, each
>of which required an impact driver to loosen.
>
>The lifter consists of a single assembly integrating motor and gear
>train. The only mark is a sticker "Warner Electric."
>
>There is a micro-switch positioned such that it probably was intended
>to open the circuit, stopping the motor when the antenna was
>completely retracted. However, the usual mode of operation during my
>ownership has been to raise or lower the antenna until slipping is
>heard. (This is a "tock-tock-tock" sound.)
>
>Anyone have any experience with R/R on this unit?

[mrkane1952]

Don:

Makes sense about the "up" warning light switch. A "stop" switch is
probably inviting trouble.

The rubber bumpers were deteriorated: is it possible the mechanism
needed help due to over-travel in the down position? I'm using one of
those saucer antennas with no rotator needed. It wasn't possible to
try to manually lift the assembly while activating the motor--I'm
working solo.


--M.R.
1985 PT40
San Marcos, TX



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner"
wrote:
>
> The micro switch should be for the "antenna is up" alarm. The
slipping clutch is the normal sound when reaching the stops; I would
expect it if too much resistance was being felt on the way up also.
>
> Don Bradner
> 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
> Posting today by satellite from Quartzsite, AZ
>

[Stephen Birtles]

Was bought by Danaher the linear drives are still available but are a
special order the old number was a warner number
the Blue bird part number is 3748985
Danaher can still cross the part over and it can be bought
It is expensive around 400.00 list
Stephen 77fc35

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
>
> Warner Electric, Beloit WI, RIP many years now.
> MH
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: mrkane1952
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 6:46 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] 1985 TV antenna lifter motor
>
>
> Greetings All:
>
> I wanted to watch the play-offs in HD via off-the-air digital
> broadcasts from the local stations, but the TV antenna lifter fails to
> raise the antenna on my 1985 PT40. The motor makes "slipping clutch"
> noises when run in either the "raise" or "lower" modes. After
> removing the extension assembly, it was possible to use the motor to
> raise the stubs to allow access to the (eighteen!!) cover screws, each
> of which required an impact driver to loosen.
>
> The lifter consists of a single assembly integrating motor and gear
> train. The only mark is a sticker "Warner Electric."
>
> There is a micro-switch positioned such that it probably was intended
> to open the circuit, stopping the motor when the antenna was
> completely retracted. However, the usual mode of operation during my
> ownership has been to raise or lower the antenna until slipping is
> heard. (This is a "tock-tock-tock" sound.)
>
> Anyone have any experience with R/R on this unit?
>
> Thanks--
> M.R.Kane
> 1985 PT40
> currently San Marcos, TX
>
> PS: I seem to be in one of those phases: on the last trip down from
> the roof, the plastic step-stool I've been using for some time
> shattered to pieces. Had a good grip on the ladder, so no harm.
> Managed to short out the power leads for the co-pilot seat by pinching
> them in the swivel. Symptom was repeated tripping of a DC circuit
> breaker in the curb-side forward load center. Troubleshooting was
> unusual, as several wires of different colors were all numbered "10."
> Last week discovered an inoperative slack adjuster on one side of the
> drive axle, which had existed for some time judging from the different
> wear on the brake shoes. Properly adjusted brakes work so much
> better! And the previous week, the 50 A. receptacle on the coach
> shorted out (at 1:08 A.M.,) burning a hole through the case. Was able
> to get a reference number from Earl at BB, as the original
> manufacturer, Arrow-Hart, is gone. Number is Bryant 7968 (Bryant is
> owned by Hubbell.) These are U.L. approved, but not to current
> (NEMA?) standards. In order to make the minimum order I also got the
> connector for the coach end of the cord. A local electric supply
> company in Seguin was able to get them overnight, but as usual there
> were issues. The receptacle did not include the strain relief/seal on
> the original--lucky that wasn't melted so I could reuse mine.
> Secondly, although cataloged as the same steel plug as on my cord, the
> new plug (Bryant 7764) is nylon, and about twice as long as the
> original. It will work, but the compartment door cannot be closed and
> locked as before...
>

[mrkane1952]

Stephen:

Is contact information available for Danaher? I found a number of 12
VDC linear actuators at McMaster-Carr and Grainger, priced from
$200-$500 depending on force rating etc. Can you suggest a sufficient
force rating?

Interested parties can review the web info I found at the following:

<http://www.grainger.com>...search term "Linear Motion Actuators"

<http://www.mcmaster.com>...search term "linear motor"

Thanks--

M.R.Kane
1985 PT40
near San Marcos, TX for one more day then enroute to Quartzsite

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen Birtles"
wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Was bought by Danaher the linear drives are still available but are a
> special order the old number was a warner number
> the Blue bird part number is 3748985
> Danaher can still cross the part over and it can be bought
> It is expensive around 400.00 list
> Stephen 77fc35
>