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View Full Version : Securing a Darkmotor Supreme against the wind.



paulus
03-01-2012, 03:09 PM
On moving home I have installed a new set-up with a Darkmotor Supreme and a one metre solid Orbital dish. In my last home my Jaeger never moved once set, for over 6 years - but the Darkmotor has spun on the pole four times in the past month. I know my new house is more exposed than my old, and that we have had some exceptionally windy weather - but this is driving me mad. The Darkmotor itself has nothing to grip the pole, just two vertical mounds to makesure the mount is truly vertical. The clamp on the other side of the pole has some teeth, but only two (one either side) actually contact the pole. My pole is scaffolding-grade steel, and overtightening the clamp has bent it somewhat round the pole (since there is no give in the pole). HOWEVER, whenever the wind gets up it just pushes the lot round the pole!!

Obviously, I am thinking of moving the mounting - not that there is anywhere more sheltered, but just to somewhere more accessible for adjusting. Other thoughts are using a mesh dish - maybe an 85cm. I know this will reduce my ability to pull in some satellites - but is that a sensible tradeoff?

The only alternative (and hence this posting) is whether I can replace the Darkmotor clamping system with something more robust that will clamp onto a steel pole and not budge. Anyone any ideas, and able to point me to a solution/supplier?

JOE.MADDISON
03-01-2012, 03:51 PM
had this problem,cured it by drilling a hole in the back brackets and fitting self tapping screws,also did same to dish to motor bracket and elevation on dish.

paulus
03-01-2012, 04:34 PM
Thanks Joe, that sounds like a very useful idea - why didn't I think of that!! Is yours a Darkmotor also? I notice that the motor pole that mounts the dish was starting to deform on tightening - so left it at that, but no evidence that it has moved - just the motor on the pole.

JOE.MADDISON
03-01-2012, 05:03 PM
yes darkmotor

echelon
03-01-2012, 05:13 PM
also put a car exhaust U ring clamp around the scaffold pole below the motor mount , stops it "walking" down the pole AND also allows easy adjustment of the motor as it holds the motor mount up whilst it is slackened for adjusting left/right too (I think its a 2 inch inner diameter but measure it just to be sure )

welshpaddy
12-07-2012, 04:40 PM
thats a great tip