Disaster!!

[Vipersan]

As promised a couple of pics of the dish and the mount now that they are safely indoors ..
I have yet to flip the dish and string it ...
I keep putting off the inevitable...but know I need to do it eventually..so I can truely assess the damage..
Will post pics when I do..
rgds
VS

 

[Chris76]

From the photo everything looks ok apart from the dent in the perimeter of the dish at the very bottom of the third photo..I have my fingers crossed for you VS good luck and congrats on the pole that's a serious bit of kit there..Hopefully the weather comes good soon..

Chris

Its really hard to tell with the light on the dish but it really looks ok

 

[Vipersan]

Ok friends ..
Time to discuss Cleaning Derusting and Paints I think ..
Obviously I wont be repainting the dish ...
Should it be ok ..I think a straightforward cleaning job ..
But the Untreated steel pole and the rusted polar mount is another story ..
Anyone have suggestions for rust removal which could be emplyed on a power tool of somesort ?
My hands aren't up to rubbing it all down manually these days ..
The mount is currently grey as it was recently painted all over with killrust ...
It was origionally a nice shiny black.
What choice of paints are there these days ?
I read red lead paint was discontinued for public use some time ago..
whats the alternative now..?
The pole will definately need a primer as will the rust spots on the mount ..once cleaned..
I made enquiries about a paint 'system' which includes primer and hard topcoat by Rustoleum ..
The paints themselves were expensive ,,,but moreso because they only sold in large quantities ..
suffucient for 35 sq mtrs ...
I don't think I need such a large quantity ..and at £80+ its a bit ott I think ..
Suggestions welcomed ..
rgds
VS

 

[Channel Hopper]

Hammerite, every time. Degrease and a good wire brush beforehand is the only preparation.

 

[Vipersan]

Ok ...
finally bit the bullet and flipped the dish..
It was then strung 3 ways mid petal set to mid petal set x3

There certainly is more variation than there was origionally ..
but I'm wondering if the best way to deal with this is for 2 people to apply gentle pressure at the points where the dish was put under pressure as it fell between the wall and the fence ..
Whilst its still assembled these points can easily be figured out..
The overall variation of between the lowest and the highest string is between 10mm and 12mm ...
There are are photos taken from 3 angles to show the height variation..
I would assume the middle height string to be the most reliable as it where ..
thoughts ??
VS

 

[Vipersan]

..Another idea that ocurred was to remove the tripod brackets so that all folded edges where exposed ...
then flip the dish face down on a flat floor ..
A flat square board would then be placed centrally on the highest point with a slice of polystyrene in between to maintain balance ..
Then a heavy weight for example a flat paving slab placed on the board ..and left to settle for a few days ..
Does anyone think this idea might work ..
My idea was to push down evenly all round on the rim of the dish forcing it to flatten against the floor ...
The parabolic shape of the dome should prevent localised crushing ...
At least thats the theory..
rgds
VS

 

[Rick]

When I got my ally 1.6pf that was pulled back into shape by standing the dish on it's rim against a wooden block, pulling the top and pushing the middle with my foot. A few turns to pull in differant directions to line the strings back up and job done. That's a one piece dish though, I'm not sure how a petalised dish would react to such treatment.

 

[nelson_b]

Hammerite, every time. Degrease and a good wire brush beforehand is the only preparation.

yes - i would second that -- the support ring and mount on mine was extremely pitted - i just removed anything loose or flakey with wire brush and coarse sandpaper --went over it twice with - kurust - (hammerite product also i think )
then gave it 2 coats of smooth black hammerite "direct to rust"-- nice finish -
gives off strong vapours whilst drying though -- best done outdoors ---

are you going to take the petals apart ?

quote
-but I'm wondering if the best way to deal with this is for 2 people to apply gentle pressure at the points where the dish was put under pressure as it fell between the wall and the fence "

could be worth a try gently ------

i,m looking to make some time spare in a couple of days -- to call and photo and measure the polar mount while its down

regards nelson.b.

 

[Vipersan]

When I got my ally 1.6pf that was pulled back into shape by standing the dish on it's rim against a wooden block, pulling the top and pushing the middle with my foot. A few turns to pull in differant directions to line the strings back up and job done. That's a one piece dish though, I'm not sure how a petalised dish would react to such treatment.

Thanks Rick ..
That makes perfect sense ...but like you I'm not sure how a petalised dish would respond ..
Which is why I though a gradual process letting gravity do the work might be better..
I wouldn't have to overdo the weight though ..but the bolts holding the petals tightly together should provide a rigid enough structure..
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

yes - i would second that -- the support ring and mount on mine was extremely pitted - i just removed anything loose or flakey with wire brush and coarse sandpaper --went over it twice with - kurust - (hammerite product also i think )
then gave it 2 coats of smooth black hammerite "direct to rust"-- nice finish -
gives off strong vapours whilst drying though -- best done outdoors ---

are you going to take the petals apart ?

quote
-but I'm wondering if the best way to deal with this is for 2 people to apply gentle pressure at the points where the dish was put under pressure as it fell between the wall and the fence "

could be worth a try gently ------

i,m looking to make some time spare in a couple of days -- to call and photo and measure the polar mount while its down

regards nelson.b.

No probs Nelson you are always welcome m8
rgds
VS

 

[aceb]

Anyone have suggestions for rust removal which could be emplyed on a power tool of somesort ?

I always use one of these in a drill, useful for rejuvenating U bolts too!
_http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tool+Accessories/Wire+Abrasives/Wire+Cup+with+Arbor+50+mm/d80/sd1920/p81867

 

[Vipersan]

I'm beginning to wonder if this hobby is worth the trouble ...
Having had my 1.8 blow over last week ...
I now find todays repeat winds ..have now blown the TD110 at least 1 degree out of alignment ..
Offset was 2.3west now somewhere around 1.2 > 1.4 west

Have I got this right in my head ..the shift in offset indicates the dish or dish and motor have been blown 1 degree Eastward ?

..and I dont know if its the motor thats moved of the dish on the motor ..
I'm certainly in no fit state to go climbing ladders at the apex of the house ..
Last night everything was fine ...I checked..
Looks like the movement occurred this morning.
I know its not the case but it feels personal now
...seriously p1zzed off now ..
VS

 

[ian xtv]

@ vipersan yes you are right it is the motor bracket that has moved in the strong winds 1 or 2 degrees Eastward,My motor bracket always moves a bit eastwards and then i have to get on the ladders and push motor bracket back westward by hand till its back on strong signal.Its always the motor bracket that moves in strong to gale force winds and not the Dish bracket.Don't give up vipersan these things are sent to try us sat hobbyists and you will soon have your 1.8 mtr dish set up and working again

 

[Montafon Guy]

Many thanks Montafon ..
That is a very kind offer ..
As you say its a long way from here to Austria ..
Nice to know they still exist around the world ..and haven't all been scrapped along the way ..
I suspect I may well be able to ressurect my Alcoa ...providing the dish itself isn't bent out of shape ..
The heavier Polar mount appears to have survived without damage ...but If I do need parts at least I know you have some .
I suspect it would cost a small fortune to ship them but nonetheless I am grateful for your offer.
rgds
VS

<I suspect it would cost a small fortune to ship them <

i think so too..


I hope your "baby will grow and work" like before soon .-)


Regards Montafon Guy!

 

[Vipersan]

@ vipersan yes you are right it is the motor bracket that has moved in the strong winds 1 or 2 degrees Eastward,My motor bracket always moves a bit eastwards and then i have to get on the ladders and push motor bracket back westward by hand till its back on strong signal.Its always the motor bracket that moves in strong to gale force winds and not the Dish bracket.Don't give up vipersan these things are sent to try us sat hobbyists and you will soon have your 1.8 mtr dish set up and working again

Hi Ian ..
sounds about right..
I noticed you are also based in the North West ...so just as likely to experience strong westerlies like me .
Particularly if your setup is on South facing wall ...
I always turn the small usals dishes edge on ..ie.. true South in high winds ...to present a smaller wind loading target ..
but it looks like this wasn't enough this time..
Since I have an relativey unobstructed western wiew I do get the full force of Westerly winds ..
This is what destroyed the 1.8
2 years ago I would have thought nothing about climbing up and fixing the TD110...
All installs where done by be anyway ..
Since the onslaught of TM ...my medical condition ....even working at ground level presents a challenge.
Thats why I'm upset ...
frustration more than anything...
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

Well friends ..
By Contrast today is a beautiful clear sunny day with no wind ..
It gave me a chance to take this photo looking straight up under the dish..
This dish is currently aligned and receiving pictures from 0.8West ..
and looks like dish is pointing to the right (as seen on photo) of the motor casing ..
Which to me would indicate the motor hasn't moved ..
but the dish has rotated around the stub ..
If anything the dish should point sightly west (to the left on the photo)..of the motor)
anyone concur ?
rgds
VS

 

[Lazarus]

Despite the problems of perspective and parallax, it is patent that the dish has slipped around the stub.

I know you can't easily rectify this yourself, but a sensible friend or relative might be able to move it back without further slackening any clamps and once you are happy, apply a tweak to the clamps.

As long as that is the only issue, of course.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Difficult to tell with the image on the motor, however the boom arm looks like it's a couple of degrees off the dish surface, ie not perpendicular.

 

[Vipersan]

Thanks for the replies m8's

Managed to hold the camera steady enough to get a square on image of the dish and boom ..
This was cut n pasted into paint ..and a red square overlayed ..
The result does indeed show a lean to the right of the boom ..
Sufficient to cause such an error ..?
I suspect it may be a compound problem as a result of the relentless westward wind pressure ..
maybe a bit ..boom ..a bit dish on stub movement .....
..maybe a bit of motor movement ...though I suspect that probably ok ..
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

..In other News .....
Managed to get out this morning and cut the paving slab ...
Lifted it to expose the 1.8's pole stump...
The red circle shows where I would prefer to set the new pole
This will allow me to clear the wall and maybe pinch a few more degrees to the East of Arc ..
As the pole will be 1 foot higher than the original..
rgds
VS