ALFA SPID ROTATOR AND CONTROLLER User's Manual
Contents
1. 10 Auto Mode 10 Preset Mode 10 Setup Mode 11 Programable High Limit 11 Programmable Low Limit 12 Programmable Reset Value 12 Preset 1 6 12 Mouse Controller 14 Trouble shouting and testing 15 Using the AlfaSpid Rotator with LONG Cable Distances 17 Warranty 19 Notes 20 This manual is for use with units sold by AlfaRadio Ltd of Edmonton Alberta Canada Units sold by others may have different firmware and may operate from different voltages Table of Contents Page 3 of 21 www alfaradio ca AlfaSpid Rotator Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta C2. gt 14 000 Introduction Shipping Contents Technical Data AlfaSpid Rotator www alfaradio ca Page 4 Page 4 of 21 Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779 Buttons Left Decrease Right Increase Setup Function Indicators Overlap Not currently used 7 segment 4 digit display Multifunction display Front Panel Front Panel Front Panel Control Panel Page 5 of 21 www alfaradio ca AlfaSpid Rotator Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 Fuse Holder Power Cord Power Switch Terminal Strip DB 9 connector male DB 9 connector female Rear Panel AlfaSpid Rotator www alfaradio ca Page 6 Page 6 of 21 Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779 Wiring Connections The rotator unit must be wired to the control unit with 4 wire cable The gauge of the 4 wire cable to connect the control unit to the rotator depends upon the distance between rotator and controller The wire for the impulse sensing may be quite thin 22 or similar even for relatively long distances Length Gauge Motor 10 m 32 18 1 19 mm 30 m 100 16 1 42 mm 60 m 200 14 1 75 mm Remove cover from the motor body as shown and make connections as follows 1 Motor Drive to 1 on controller terminal 2 Motor Drive to 2 on controller term
3. 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779 Programmable Low Limit The Programmable Low Limit is a user adjustable counter clockwise travel limit value By increasing this value the minimum counter clockwise rotation travel can be restricted Use the and buttons adjust the value Programmable Reset Value The Programmable Reset Value can be set to either 0 degrees or 180 degrees This is the beam heading set when a power on reset event is triggered If you wish to reset your rotator to south set this value to 180 Preset 1 Preset 6 These 6 presets are user adjustable values that map to the 6 preset buttons on the optional mouse controller You can set each preset to a commonly used beam heading allowing rapid single button heading selections Page 13 of 21 www alfaradio ca AlfaSpid Rotator Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 Program Simulation Program Simulation allows the user to set the serial communication protocol used by the rotator When set to emulate another brand of rotator the AlfaSpid will respond to commands and send responses back to the computer as if it were the rotator brand selected If your favourite software supports a rotator chances are the AlfaSpid will be able to interface to your software There are 4 modes available Spid AlfaSpid Orion Hygain Yaesu Heading Adjust numbers blinking This setting can be us
4. Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 Typical travel of the AlfaSpid Rotator
5. The controller is now set for North Display adjustment Press the button to cycle thru to the normal i e blank setting until you see the display after P5 X X is the mode for computer interface It will be blinking The display shows the normal degree reading i e 30 degrees with the left or right arrows the display reading can be changed with out turning the rotator in this mode this feature can be used if for any reason the direction of the antenna becomes incorrect This may be caused by antenna to mast slippage or incorrect initial alignment The Rotator to mast will not slip unless there is improper installation See Heading Adjust numbers blinking else where in this document IMPORTANT The AlfaSpid rotator is now set at the counter clockwise end of its normal rotation range Normal rotation range is in a clockwise direction for 360 degrees From the reset position you can rotate counter clockwise an additional 180 degrees in over travel as well 360 degrees clockwise plus an additional 180 degrees into clockwise over travel Counter clockwise over travel is indicated by a steady dot above the over travel icon Rotation past 359 degrees into the clockwise over travel is indicated by a blinking dot above the over travel icon Resetting the Controller Page 9 of 21 www alfaradio ca AlfaSpid Rotator Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 Technical Note You will need to leave sufficient coax l
6. at the motor is about 120 second 2 minutes With 24 V DC is about 60 second 1 minute A DC Ammeter in the motor lead is also useful it should indicate between 1 and 3 amps with a small load On windy days or heavy load the current may fluctuate up to 3 to 5 amps Notes testing and troubleshooting Pressing should make the rotator move clockwise Pressing should make the rotator move counter clockwise If rotation is reversed switch lines 1 and 2 on the back of the controller Impulse sense lines 3 amp 4 have no polarity concerns Part of the protection circuitry involves removing motor power if the controller receives no sense indication If the motor turns for a few seconds and then you hear the relay in the control box drop out the motor has either stalled or there is a problem in the impulse sense wiring It is highly recommended to ground the Control Box AlfaSpid Rotator www alfaradio ca Page 8 Page 8 of 21 Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779 Since there are no mechanical limits in the rotator it may be installed with the antenna pointing in any direction There is no reason to locate TRUE NORTH until you are ready to calibrate the control box Use the controller to position the antenna to physically point north then reset the controller as follows Turn the unit OFF Then while holding the button depressed turn control unit back on This will now show on the display
7. external DC voltage into the unit and use the internal relays to control the rotator as usual This information is presented as a guide to help the user realize a solution to the long cable run situation If you do not feel comfortable wiring basic circuitry to do this please contact Alfa Radio Ltd www alfaradio ca for a pre wired solution Prepared for Alfa Radio Ltd by VE6JY Don Moman Dec 6 2001 Page 19 of 21 www alfaradio ca AlfaSpid Rotator Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 12 MONTH LIMITED WARRANTY AlfaSpid Rotator and controller Alfa Radio Ltd Warrants to the user who originally purchased the product that the product will be free from defects in material and workmanship for the following periods after such date of purchase Material 12 months Workmanship 12 months Alfa Radio Ltd will at its option repair or replace free of charge such defective products subject to the following conditions 1 Delivery of the product prepaid to Alfa Radio Ltd or its authorized dealer 2 Determination by the Alfa Radio Ltd that a defect exists and is covered by the limited warranty Defects due to alteration repair by an unauthorized person misuse accidental damage lightning strikes use of the equipment for purpose other than those for which it was designed and the like are NOT COVERED by this limited warranty Repairs therefore will be subject to normal service charges 3 Repairs and replacement p
8. Copyright AlfaRadio Ltd 2002 2006 2006 01 09 www alfaradio ca 780 466 5779 AlfaSpid Rotator and Controller Instruction Manual AlfaSpid Rotator www alfaradio ca Page 2 Page 2 of 21 Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779 Introduction 3 Shipping Contents 3 Technical Data 3 Control Panel 4 Rear Panel 5 Installation 6 Wiring Connections 6 Bench Testing 7 Resetting the Controller 8 Controller Operation 9 Function Mode 9 Normal Operations Mode 10 Half Auto Mode
9. anada T5M 1X8 The AlfaSpid rotator is an extra heavy duty rotator designed to run large communication antennas and comes complete with an electronic control unit The rotator is designed to be mounted pipe to pipe or on an optional adaptor plate for conventional in tower mounting It can also be mounted outside of the tower on the mast or used in a side mount configuration Rotator 1 Controller 1 1 GMA Fuses 2 Optional Custom Mouse 1 Input Voltage Typical 12 24 Volts DC Input Current Nominal Draw 3 4 Amps Motor 12 24 Volts DC Fuse 8 0 Amp GMA Rotation Speed 120 sec 12 V 60 sec 24 V Turning Torque in lbs 1400 12 V 1740 24 V Braking Torque in lbs
10. arts are covered under this limited warranty only for the remaining term of the original limited warranty 4 Under no circumstances is Alfa Radio Ltd liable for consequential damages to person s or property by the use of this product 5 Alfa Radio Ltd reserves the right to make changes or improvements in design or manufacture without incurring any obligations to install such changes upon any of the product previously manufactured All claims of defect or shortage should be sent prepaid to Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 Street Edmonton Alberta T5M 1X8 CANADA and must be accompanied by the letter describing the problem in detail along with a copy of your proof of purchase WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL AlfaSpid Rotator www alfaradio ca Page 20 Page 20 of 21 Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779 NOTES ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ Page 21 of 21 www alfaradio ca AlfaSpid Rotator Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St
11. ed to make minor heading adjustments without causing the rotator to turn If you notice that the heading displayed on the controller to a known signal source is out by a few degrees you can change the heading displayed on the LED readout to match the known heading rather than having to turn back to North and reset the controller AlfaSpid Rotator www alfaradio ca Page 14 Page 14 of 21 Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779 The optional mouse controller allows easy desktop access to the most commonly used front panel controls These buttons are functionally equivalent to the corresponding front panel controls Left Decrease Right Increase Stop also the wheel between left and right buttons In addition to the above controls you will find 6 programmable preset buttons on the mouse Programmable preset buttons are only available via the optional mouse controller Preset headings are programmed via the Setup Mode The mouse ball serves no function the mouse simply provides an ergonomically pleasing case in which to mount the controls Mouse Controller Optional The mouse controller is a highly modified computer mouse You can not use a regular mouse with the AlfaSpid rotator nor vice versa Page 15 of 21 www alfaradio ca AlfaSpid Rotator Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 Alfa Radio Ltd Trouble shouting tips Before contacting AlfaRadio L
12. ength to accommodate the additional 180 degrees of over travel on each end of normal rotation Failure to do so can cause damage to your coax and or antennas The AlfaSpid controller has multiple modes of operation You will need to become familiar with these modes to be able to make full use of your rotator Function Mode The button steps through the function menus The leftmost character on the display indicates the function mode you are currently in Normal Operations Mode Half Auto Mode Auto Mode Preset Mode Controller Operation The 0 in the displays to the left will be replaced by your actual beam heading AlfaSpid Rotator www alfaradio ca Page 10 Page 10 of 21 Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779 Normal Operations Mode In Normal Operations Mode the and buttons cause rotation as long as the buttons are pressed Pressing while in normal operations mode will take you to setup mode Half Auto Mode In Half Auto Mode the and buttons can be used to pre select the desired beam heading The heading displayed on the controller will rapidly change in the direction of desired rotation Once the desired beam heading is shown on the display release the key Approximately of a second after no key presses have been detected the display will revert back to the actual beam heading and rotation towards the desired heading will take place Pressing any key while in t
13. inal 3 Impulse Sense to 3 on controller terminal 4 Impulse Sense to 4 on controller terminal TIP Before final installation of equipment it is strongly suggested you check out all functions and connections on a workbench CAUTION Do not accidentally switch the motor wires with the impulse wires Damage to the control unit may occur Installation Page 7 of 21 www alfaradio ca AlfaSpid Rotator Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 Bench Testing of Control Box The control box is normally expected to be operated from a 12 Volt DC supply however it may be operated from other unregulated DC or AC sources as well DC or AC voltage levels between 10 and 26 Volts capable of at least 5 Amps are acceptable typically 12 or 14 Volts The polarity of the power to the control box input leads is not critical for D C operation a diode rectifier on the input will provide the proper polarity to the electronics and provide reverse polarity protection as well as A C operation TIP Because of several steering diodes in the motor path the voltage delivered to the motor neglecting wire loss will be about 1 4 volts less than the power supply voltage For longer runs and or thin wiring a higher voltage up to approx 24V to the control unit is beneficial A simple way to estimate if the voltage to the motor is adequate is by timing the rotation Under no or a very small load the 360 degree rotation time with 12V DC
14. not be available to rotate under more severe conditions While it is easy to say just use a heavier cable this may be costly impractical or both I have one tower that is over 1700 feet approx 500 meters away and running large cable out there would be very expensive My solution is to use this rotator controller s output voltage to control another set of relays that will feed a higher voltage DC to the motor In the above mentioned example I find a voltage between 60 to 80 volts gave suitable performance This is a pretty extreme case but it illustrates the versatility of this design The external DC supply voltage needed will vary depending on the DC voltage rating of your motor the cable size and length of the run Typically 36 to 50 volts at 3 5 amps should be quite adequate These DC motors are quite tolerant on their voltage ratings Relay Board Schematic AlfaSpid Rotator www alfaradio ca Page 18 Page 18 of 21 Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779 Relays chosen should be suitable for the proper coil voltage as well as appropriate current carrying capability A relay capable of 5 to 10 amps DC is adequate The diode in series with Relay K1 is any general purpose 1 amp style such as the 1N400x series If the motor rotates incorrectly simply reverse the leads to the motor or from the External DC Supply The controller also has the capability to with a small modification allow you to input your
15. ransit to the desired heading will cancel the action Auto Mode In Auto Mode the controller will respond to commands from control software running on an attached computer The and buttons can still be used as a manual override Preset Mode requires optional mouse In Preset Mode the and buttons cause rotation as long as the buttons are pressed With the optional mouse attached the six preset buttons can be used to select a desired beam heading Preset beam heading values are set in Setup Mode Page 11 of 21 www alfaradio ca AlfaSpid Rotator Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 Setup Mode The button steps through the setup menu The display cycles through each of the setup menu items Programmable High Limit Default flashing DOT 180 Programmable Low Limit Default not flashing DOT 180 Programmable Reset Value 0 or 180 Preset 1 Preset 2 Preset 3 Preset 4 Preset 5 Preset 6 Program Simulation Heading Adjust numbers blinking Programmable High Limit The Programmable High Limit is a user adjustable clockwise travel limit value By reducing this value the maximum clockwise rotation travel can be restricted Use the and buttons adjust the value These limits can be used when side mounting the rotor to keep the antenna from colliding with the tower AlfaSpid Rotator www alfaradio ca Page 12 Page 12 of 21 Alfa Radio Ltd 11211
16. td Please make the following tests The following are some trouble shouting tips if for some reason your AlfaSpid will not operate correctly It is important to confirm correct operation before installing on the tower This will rule out any damage that may have been caused by the shipping company Check the Limits PH and PL settings and rule out overlap Simple resistance tests can reveal incorrect or shorted wiring Pins 1 and 2 are the motor winding and will have a low resistance Typical 2 3 ohms Pins 3 and 4 are the sense lines and typically will have either an open circuit or have about 1200 ohms depending on the status of the reed switch in the rotator and the length and gauge of used wire There should be no conductivity between 1 and 3 or 1 and 4 or between 2 and 3 or 2 and 4 All lines should have no conductivity to ground AlfaSpid Rotator www alfaradio ca Page 16 Page 16 of 21 Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779 Be careful not to over wind your coax with the next test as there will be no protection from over turning Find a small 12 volts supply which will deliver 3 to 4 amps a small 12 Volt battery will work just fine To confirm that the motor runs you may connect 12 volts D C to the lines that go to the motor pins 1 and 2 it should turn Reversing the 12 Volts D C should cause the motor to turn in the reverse direction Be careful not to over wind your coax with the next
17. test as there will be no protection from over turning To confirm that the sense circuit in the rotator is working connect an ohm meter to the senses lines pins 3 and 4 apply 12 volts to the motor lines pins 1 and 2 you should see the ohm meter reading alternate between open circuit and about 1200 ohms Pin on Rotator not controller Typical Reading Your reading Pins 1 to 2 About 2 to 4 Ohms __________ Depends on the length of wire to rotator Pins 3 to 4 Open or 1200 Ohms __________ Depends on the status of the read switch Pins 1 to 3 Open __________ Pins 2 to 3 Open __________ Pins 2 to 4 Open __________ __________ Pin 1 to Ground Open __________ Pin 2 to Ground Open __________ Pin 3 to Ground Open __________ Pin 4 to Ground Open __________ __________ Voltage on controller Pins 1 to 2 About 12 volts with motor running Depends on the supply voltage 14 volt applied Pins 3 to 4 About 8 5 volts or 2 5 volts Depends on the status of the read switch and the Supply voltage 12 volts Page 17 of 21 www alfaradio ca AlfaSpid Rotator Alfa Radio Ltd 11211 154 St Edmonton Alberta Canada T5M 1X8 Using the AlfaSpid Rotator with LONG Cable Distances By VE6JY Since the motor uses relatively low voltage DC a combination of long cable runs and or thinner than required cable may reduce the voltage at the motor to an unacceptably low value It may turn in warm weather or light winds but the power will
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