[amsat-bb] Another KR500 thread, maybe.

[John]

Paul,

It's a Model B KR500 I would say. The very last version of the KR5600 (the
KR5600B set) had limit switches and capacitors inside the motors.

As for how to proceed, you have two options. Firstly pull the limit switch
mechanism out and rely on the controller's start capacitor, or secondly pull
the start capacitor from the controller and use the rotor limit switches and
capacitor. As far as I can tell from the in-depth dismantling I've done of a
couple of these, either should work, but having both would effectively
render the limit switches redundant, and probably play some kind of havoc
further down the line.

What I'd recommend personally is that you start by checking the wiring
config on the back of the screw block - this will have an effect on what you
do later. There was some weird wiring in one of the rotor units I bought,
and it ended up with pins being shorted together inside the connector block
and made everything weird. I made the decision with that one to return it to
'A' spec as I couldn't be sure what else had been done. If yours is similar
that's the approach I would take.

If, however, the inside wiring on the motor unit is sensible and sane, and
matches spec, then I'd probably go for keeping the limit switches installed,
as otherwise your only limiting is a mechanical stop, and if you hit that
and don't realise, but keep sending current up the cable, you'll inevitably
burn out your motor windings after a while. Not such a fun job to fix
(dismantling the motor housing is at least an hour's work on its own),
although easy enough to do with patience.

Feel free to ping me off list if you want to chat about it further!

73, and a firm left handshake,
John (2E0XLX)

-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org> On Behalf Of Paul
Sent: 14 June 2018 18:18
To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Another KR500 thread, maybe.

Hi all
I recently won a Kenpro KR500 rotor on Ebay for the princely sum of a quid.
The alleged history was it was purchased, had antennas attached but was
never wired or used and this I can believe because the connector block looks
untouched. It was however left on its side in the garden so looks pristine
but has suffered water ingress. I started to strip it down today and of
course the eight M6 Phillips heads put up quite a fight but I attacked it
with fire and it is now apart.

Having opened it up I'm now slightly confused as to what model rotor I
actually have. It has the eight screw terminal block, the casing is stamped
Kenpro but internally it has the limit switches and a capacitor.

The controller I intend using is an old Kenpro KR400 model and I assume has
the 70uF cap across the switches. Do I leave this in place to use it with my
rotor or should I remove it, or remove the cap in the rotor?

Paul G7PUV
Sussex Coast. JO00
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