I broke my Venture actuator

[Channel Hopper]

$10 for a nylon cog ?

 

[Captain Jack]

Well, when you put it that way.... but it's a small cost to get the actuator back in action.

And I couldn't find a similar one anywhere else (except the one you posted earlier).

 

[Captain Jack]

I am back online! With a new cog and a new clamp. Dish looking at 58W.... Need to slightly adjust tracking but OK otherwise.

 

[Lazarus]

Must be time for a celebratory BBQ.

 

[Captain Jack]

Was a bit windy today to even properly adjust the tracking. Went to the pub instead.

Underwhelming.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Was a bit windy today to even properly adjust the tracking. Went to the pub instead.

Underwhelming.

Which brewery is that ale from ?

 

[blademedia]

Nice install looks good, did you gain anything to the East.

 

[Captain Jack]

I just about get 57e but it was stronger on an 90cm Fibo! 55e is stronger too - watchable 90% of the time but in winds the tall evergreen still knocks the signal out occasionally.

 

[blademedia]

I just about get 57e but it was stronger on an 90cm Fibo! 55e is stronger too - watchable 90% of the time but in winds the tall evergreen still knocks the signal out occasionally.

Well its a slight gain and a nice install. not much at 57E or 60E at the moment anyhow.

 

[John]

Jump forward from 2017 to September 2023 - Bugger - looks like my 36" Venture has had the cog failure like yours did CJ back in 2017 - if it's not throwing it down with rain tommorow i'll put one of the replacement cogs on from the 2017 order.

 

[Captain Jack]

You do swing a lot, John

I still have some spares if you need some.

 

[John]

You do swing a lot, John

I still have some spares if you need some.

>You do swing a lot, John < Have you been talking to Chris ??
It's a good weather day today up our neck of the woods so going to see about repairing it. It looks very much like the cog failure that you suffered, luckily iv'e got two as spares-i'll keep you informed and some pics of how the limit switch assembly design failed later.

 

[Manikm909]

u can print one using a 3d printer...

 

[Captain Jack]

u can print one using a 3d printer...

But a printer costs hundreds of pounds and you have to learn how to use it and design the thing....

 

[scopus]

>You do swing a lot, John < Have you been talking to Chris ??
It's a good weather day today up our neck of the woods so going to see about repairing it. It looks very much like the cog failure that you suffered, luckily iv'e got two as spares-i'll keep you informed and some pics of how the limit switch assembly design failed later.

Better check mine out..

 

[John]

The problem started with the poor top retention metal tab for the spiral limit switch drive on the Venture actuator, no bushing is used and the metal tab was able to flex upwards somehow and the spiral drive became detached making the limit switch function to not operate. The SuperJack version used a bushing and was a better solution.
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[Channel Hopper]

u can print one using a 3d printer...

Could always buy a hobby lathe and start making things out of metal that last.

 

[John]

The problem started with the poor top retention metal tab for the spiral limit switch drive on the Venture actuator, no bushing is used and the metal tab was able to flex upwards somehow and the spiral drive became detached making the limit switch function to not operate. The SuperJack version used a bushing and was a better solution.
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

View attachment 151889

The culprit ...

 

[Manikm909]

looks like a bad injury was sustained opening that casing.

 

[John]

looks like a bad injury was sustained opening that casing.

Nah, the limit switch operation failed when the actuator came to the end of it's travel so the power kept feeding the motor but the inner telescopic tube had already grounded and couldn't go anywhere - the motor kept powering the gear gog and the gear cog lost the battle hence the big chunk missing off of it. Got some spares so can be replaced.