[amsat-bb] AlphaSpid Green Heron rotor controller PstRotator

[Jeff]

I contacted Jeff at Green Heron Engineering this morning.  He suggested I set the Min Speed of both the AZ and EL in the motor control to 10. This stopped the buzzing noise(that only I can't hear). I then had my Wife take position under the antenna system as I adjusted the Min Speed slider to get it as low as possible. It was set to a 3 on both when I started and now I'm at a 8 AZ, and a  full scale 10 on EL. This fixed the noise problem, but now the rotor doesn't point as precisely as before, it will over shoot around 2  degrees or so. This is fine with my M2  Leo pack. Thanks Kevin. And Burns, you just reminded me how much nosier the 5500 is, much louder the AlphaSpid. All is once again well in KB2M land 😊

 

73 Jeff kb2m

 

-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org> On Behalf Of Burns Fisher via AMSAT-BB
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2020 15:04
To: Kevin <wa7fwf at gmail.com>
Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AlphaSpid Green Heron rotor controller PstRotator

 

Is the Alfa-Spid stepper motor based?  Certainly the feedback is digital.

But I could certainly imagine a bunch of fast steps sounds like a beep.

 

My G5500 actually makes a slightly odd noise too. I sounds almost like a clock being wound.  I'm guessing it has something to do with the brake??

Does the A-S have one?

 

Maybe sound insulation is going to be your best bet.

 

On Thu, Mar 26, 2020 at 9:10 PM Kevin via AMSAT-BB < <mailto:amsat-bb at amsat.org> amsat-bb at amsat.org>

wrote:

 

> I do not own one but looking at the documentation for the controller I 

> noticed this, "gradual startup and shutdown of rotor power to reduce 

> stress on towers, antennas and rotors. This is achieved by 

> pulse-width-modulating the operating voltage for the rotor."

> 

> That could very well be the source of the "beeping"  with the windings 

> in the motor singing.

> 

> 73

> Kevin WA7FWF

> 

> On 3/26/2020 17:47, Jeff via AMSAT-BB wrote:

> > Green Heron R-21 controller

> 

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