Advice Needed Inclined Orbit Elevation Actuator on Channel Master 1.8m ?

[moonbase]

Hi,

Has anyone fitted an inclined orbit elevation actuator to a 1.8m channel master dish on an Az-El mount or got any suggestions about how to go about doing this?

I assume there might need to be a bit of improvisation and fabrication of metal brackets or plates to get the elevation actuator to replace the threaded elevation bolt. I am not sure if direct replacement of the threaded elevation bolt at its location would be the best place to fit the elevation actuator though?

Any advice most appreciated, this could be one for the forum "improvisers".

Rgds

 

[scopus]

Well, yes I have added one to my Jumbo H to H motor for the 1.8, will take some pictures tomorrow if you want me to. Never fitted on to an AZ-EL mount, I really can't see this would serve much purpose fixed on one satellite unless the one you are fixed on is in iclibned orbit.

 

[Zimmerframe]

will take some pictures tomorrow if you want me to.

I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of pics if you get the time m8.

 

[Archived-1]

Are you concerned about how you control this MB, meaning as long as it goes up/down with any type of manual controller your not bothered ?.

 

[BM300]

Here is a picture of a motorized H/H paraclipse dish fitted with an actuator for tracking the inclined orbit satellites.
For smaller dishes, a smaller jack will do.

 

[Captain Jack]

I still maintain that's it's better to modify the dish declination rather than the PM inclination but the jack in compression, like in the picture above, is good (and easier to fit!).

Here's how I did it:

 

[moonbase]

Are you concerned about how you control this MB, meaning as long as it goes up/down with any type of manual controller your not bothered ?.

Martin,

Thank you for the reply.

As long as the manual controller can be activated by button presses to "jog" the dish to keep a track of the inclined orbit satellite that is OK.
There are two issues I need to get resolved, the "strength" of the actuator to do the job and how to fit the actuator to pivot a 1.8m channel master above and below the arc to track inclined orbit.

I have some old optical actuators that have good resolution and some old EZ positioners that can wire up to an optical actuator so I have the means to move the dish. Its a question of mechanics and if I need a real heavy duty actuator to anchor the dish.

Rgds

 

[moonbase]

I still maintain that's it's better to modify the dish declination rather than the PM inclination but the jack in compression, like in the picture above, is good (and easier to fit!).

Here's how I did it:

CJ,

That's a nice modification using a Jaeger 1224. Unfortunately, a Jaeger 1224 is not robust enough to take a 1.8m channel master dish, that's why I was thinking of a modification on the Az-El mount. The alternative option would be to get a polar mount for the channel master 1.8m dish and then modify that.

Rgds

 

[Captain Jack]

Agree that J1224 isn't really strong enough for a 1.8m CM (in its original form anyway) but the picture was just an idea of how to do it - there are many other ways, though.

 

[moonbase]

I still maintain that's it's better to modify the dish declination rather than the PM inclination but the jack in compression, like in the picture above, is good (and easier to fit!).

CJ,

Would you please be able to provide some close up pictures of the three pivot axis points you have on that modification? I have a Precision prime focus dish that I might try that modification on, your modification seems better than placing the actuator in the location where the Jaeger brackets fit that come with the AZEL version of the 1224

I still need to get the 1.8m channel master fitted for inclined tracking, the Precision dish is a separate project.


Rgds

 

[Captain Jack]

There's a picture of @nelson_b's inclination set up for his 1.8m CM on this forum somewhere but I can't find it right now.

 

[Captain Jack]

Would you please be able to provide some close up pictures of the three pivot axis points you have on that modification?

There's a thread on this here - https://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/threads/couldnt-resist-a-new-dish.160671/page-2#post-878928

 

[moonbase]

There's a thread on this here - https://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/threads/couldnt-resist-a-new-dish.160671/page-2#post-878928

CJ,

Thx for the link to the thread.

What thickness/size angle iron did you use for that modification, it looks fairly "meaty". Also what were the eye hole sizes and bolt thickness on the swing bolts if you can remember?

Thx

 

[Captain Jack]

The angle iron attached to the 1224 is actually aluminium, I believe, and is very light but sturdy. It's about 5mm. The angle iron attached to the dish is 4mm (IIRC) and the spherical joints are M8 size (like this) - used for go-kart track rod ends, so it won't fail doing slow dish movements.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Unfortunately, a Jaeger 1224 is not robust enough to take a 1.8m channel master dish, that's why I was thinking of a modification on the Az-El mount.

There are another H-H motors still available on second-hand market, strong enough to handle CM 1,8m. Also possible to make then USALS comparable.
For example, monster like this (if @Trust1 still have it)

 

[archive10]

...and where might i get one of those?

 

[Captain Jack]

And me!

 

[RimaNTSS]

Second-hand market..... you never know what and when you can meet there. I've heard that there are Ajak heavy motors, and some people used them successfully to turn 1,8m plastic dishes. And, BTW, there is not only Jaeger 1224, but also heavier version of this motor produced.

 

[beavs2112]

...and where might i get one of those?

Apologies if this is off-topic. Occasionally here in NA true horizon to horizon mounts can be found used. last july an MZT 10 foot mesh dish with a H-H mount (imported from Yugoslavia) showed up on a recycle website in Toronto Canada for $25cad. I sadly did not have the tools or vehicle then to rescue (retrieve) it. Also Channel Master in USA used to make (in think in the late 80s early 90s) a H-H mount similar to the AJAK units. The CM units (I believe they were much rarer than the AJAKs) were reported to have water ingress issues since the unit is mounted at an angle & probably did not have sufficient drainage. Some pics from another US site of the CM H-H unit.

 

[Archived-1]

If your AZ/EL is the same as mine, I have a very easy mod in mind for this, that to you could do yourself just drilling a few holes and a few nuts and bolts , let me know MB if your mount looks like this,