Advice Needed actuator question - newbie

[Manikm909]

without ever seeing one, and only being used to DISECQ motors.

what is the principle in getting them working.

i get the fact that they push and pull the dish left or right, but what do you do from new, when you have the dish \ mount setup at 1w - do you leave it in its default position, or pull it out with your hand half way...?

are they tough to pull out \ should they be pulled out manually?

i guess when i have one in front of me it might make sense.......

 

[ozumo]

You use the V-Box (or other positioner) to move the actuator in and out. If you want it half way you count how many pulses there are from fully retracted to full extension - then move it to the half way count. Then when you attach it to the mount you loosen the clamp and slide the whole actuator until the mount is centred.

 

[Channel Hopper]

You use the V-Box (or other positioner) to move the actuator in and out. If you want it half way you count how many pulses there are from fully retracted to full extension - then move it to the half way count. Then when you attach it to the mount you loosen the clamp and slide the whole actuator until the mount is centred.

Eh ?

What actuator have you been using ?

 

[ozumo]

Eh ?

What actuator have you been using ?

Old Superjacks and cheap Chinese knock-offs. If you wanted an actuator to be at half extension at your due-south satellite what other method is there?

edit: I assume that's what he was asking, of course that doesn't mean you get equal amount of arc on the east & west sides.

edit 2: I set my actuators to be fully retracted at just past my last receivable satellite on the east side.

 

[Manikm909]

i think i meant once ive sligned on 1w and peaked signal, whats the procedure re actuator, do i fit then, or before? how do i check the arc - there must be a sticky on actuator \ polar mount somehwhere on here no...?
should the actuator be in its fuly closed postiion at 1w? or do you pull it out to fit...maybe this will become clearer when i have it in front of me

 

[Channel Hopper]

You could use the pulse count to get the arc correct, though the clamp that goes around the motor shaft can be loosened sufficiently to swing the dish either side of true south to peak othe satellites.

You may find the weight of the dish works against you.

 

[cokeaddict]

should the actuator be in its fuly closed postiion at 1w? or do you pull it out to fit...maybe this will become clearer when i have it in front of me

If the actuator was fully in (closed) at 1w, then you would not get anything to the east of 1w as the dish will not move left.

 

[moonbase]

i think i meant once ive sligned on 1w and peaked signal, whats the procedure re actuator, do i fit then, or before? how do i check the arc - there must be a sticky on actuator \ polar mount somehwhere on here no...?
should the actuator be in its fuly closed postiion at 1w? or do you pull it out to fit...maybe this will become clearer when i have it in front of me

For a UK location you probably want the East extremity to be with a wider degree range than the West extremity for Ku-Band?

Once you get to 45.0W there is nowt apart from that Chinese radio station and perhaps some data guff.
For East, there is stuff up to 68.5E in Ku-Band and possibly further with line of sight.

If you clamp the actuator in place on 0.8W in half extended status you should have equal range of degrees East and West which might not be what you want?
The degree scope of the actuator with respect to the CM polar mount coupled with your prefered range is what defines the amount of extension/retraction when clamping it in place at aproximately 0.8W.


Have you bought an actuator yet? Once you have it in front of you with a v-box it should become a lot clearer.

 

[Manikm909]

thanks for a helpful explanation that FINALLY makes sense

 

[Channel Hopper]

If you clamp the actuator in place on 0.8W in half extended status you should have equal range of degrees East and West which might not be what you want?

Untrue (and same with the Ozumo post of earlier).

All polarmounts will have a differing number of counts either side ( West - central and central- East ) owing to the position of the actuator securing brackets.
As a rule if the actuator is installed on the west, the number of counts per degree on the west side will be greater.

If brackets are manufactured to move the actuator away from the polar bearings then the counts per degree either side of true south will be less different, but never equal.

 

[Manikm909]

thanks
i think i will just have to work it out on my own when up the ladder.

 

[a33]

Relation between motor hour angle and actuator length can be calculated, see Design for a Positioner with DiSEqC Decoder
So you could even couple the length to USALS-angles.

But if I were you, I'd use the trial and error approach, at the dish.

Greetz,
A33