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How to extend the life of your TV antenna rotor


Here are some tips that can help extend the life of your TV antenna rotor.

The simplest thing you can do is give the rotor motor a break. When operating your rotor pause for a couple of seconds between changing rotation direction. In other words, if your turning the antenna clockwise don't suddenly reverse direction to counter clockwise. Wait a couple of seconds before reversing direction. Give the motor time to stop.  


Minimize the length of the mast pipe 
between the rotor motor and the antenna
. The longer this pipe is the more stress it will apply to the rotor bearings. If the antenna elevation must be raised higher add pipe from below the rotor to the fixed rotor mount not above to the rotating portion. At left is a good example of a proper installation. The pipe between the rotor motor and the the Winegard HD 7084P antenna is about 2.5 feet.

Provide an umbrella for your TV antenna rotor.

Elements are the enemy and a properly placed sheld can prevent rain, sun, snow, and ice from doing damage to your rotor.

 

You first must purchase a plastic funnel. The narrower end (neck) of the funnel must start smaller then the the mast pipe size but as it widens it must become larger then the mast pipe. Its bottom end opposite the neck must also be wide enough to cove the rotor motor housing.
Cut the neck of the funnel so that the hole in the narrow end of the funnel is of a size so it fits tight around the mast pipe when splip onto the pipe. Next paint the funnel so that it will be protected from ultra violet rays and keep it from becoming brittle in the sun. There are paints available now that adhere to plastic very well.
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When the paint is dry install your rotor unbrella by slipping the reconfigured funnel onto the pipe between the antenna and rotor down to a point within an inch or two of the top of the rotor. Lastly put a bead of silicone around the top edge of the funnel to seal the funnel to the mast pipe just for insurance that no water can trickle down. You have now created an umbrella for your rotor motor protecting the pivot point, the rubber seals, bearings and U - bolts the elements that can damage a rotor. This will also prevent rotor freeze up in colder climates.
See the image below
TV antenna rotor umbrella