AlfaRadio AlfaSpid RAK Manuale utente
Copyright
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lfaRadio Ltd 2002-2008 2008-01-15
www.alfaradio.ca 780.466.5779
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lfaSpid Rotator and Controller
Instruction Manual
This manual is for use with units sold by
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lfaRadio Ltd. of
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Units sold by others may have
different firmware and may operate from different voltages.
Last updated on September 08 2008
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lfaSpid Rotator www.alfaspid.com Page 2
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lfa Radio Ltd. 11211 - 154 St. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779
Introduction ............................................................................................ 4
Shipping Contents.................................................................................. 4
Technical Data ....................................................................................... 4
Control Panel ......................................................................................... 5
Rear Panel ............................................................................................. 6
Installation.............................................................................................. 7
Bench Testing..................................................................................... 8
Resetting the Controller ......................................................................... 9
Controller Operation............................................................................. 10
Function Mode.................................................................................. 10
Normal Operations Mode ................................................................. 11
Half Auto Mode................................................................................. 11
Auto Mode ........................................................................................ 11
Preset Mode ..................................................................................... 11
Setup Mode ...................................................................................... 12
Programable High Limit .................................................................... 12
Programmable Low Limit.................................................................. 13
Programmable Reset Value ............................................................. 13
Preset 1 - 6....................................................................................... 13
Mouse Controller.................................................................................. 15
Using the AlfaSpid Rotator with LONG Cable Distances ..................... 18
Warranty .............................................................................................. 21
Notes.................................................................................................... 22
This manual is for use with units sold by
A
lfaRadio Ltd. of
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Units sold by others may have
different firmware and may operate from different voltages.
Last updated on September 15, 2008
Table of Contents
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lfa Radio Ltd. 11211 - 154 St. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779
AlfaSpid_Rotator_RAK_Manual_Sept15_2008.doc
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
Introduction
Shi
pp
in
g
Contents
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lfa 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 PanelFront PanelFront Panel
Control Panel
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lfa Radio Ltd. 11211 - 154 St. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779
AlfaSpid_Rotator_RAK_Manual_Sept15_2008.doc
-Fuse Holder - Power Cord - Power Switch
- Terminal Strip 4 Pin Connector
-DB-9 connector (female) -DB-9 connector (male)
Female for CPU / RS232 Male for AlfaSpid Mouse
Rear Panel
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lfa 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 terminal
3 Impulse Sense to 3 on controller terminal
4 Impulse Sense to 4 on controller terminal
We suggest that the coax from the antenna be made with extra length to allow for
the “Over Travel” 720 degrees in total. You may wish to also allow for the coax to
come off the “South” side of the tower ( 180 degrees ).
CAUTION!:
Do not accidentally switch
the motor wires with the
impulse wires. Damage to the
control unit may occur!
Installation
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lfa Radio Ltd. 11211 - 154 St. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779
AlfaSpid_Rotator_RAK_Manual_Sept15_2008.doc
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 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 & 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.
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lfa 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. 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.
Technical Note:
Resettin
g
the Controller
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lfa Radio Ltd. 11211 - 154 St. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779
AlfaSpid_Rotator_RAK_Manual_Sept15_2008.doc
You will need to leave sufficient coax length 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 O
p
eration
The 0 in the displays to
the left will be replaced by your
actual beam heading
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lfa 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 ½ 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
transit 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
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