Research Concepts RC2000C - Manual (Page 19)

RC2000C Az/El Tracking Antenna Controller Chapter 3 Installation/Setup 11
Research Concepts, Inc. • 5420 Martindale Road • Shawnee, Kansas • 66218-9680 • USA www.researchconcepts.com
3.2 Mechanical and Electrical Installation
This section covers the mechanical and electrical installation of the unit. Use 4 10-32 mounting screws
to secure the unit to a standard 19" rack. Please refer to figures 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 for diagrams of the
controller back panel and electrical connections.
In the course of installing the antenna, do not connect an auxiliary power source to the antenna
actuators while the RC2000 is connected to the actuators. When the RC2000 is ‘idle’ the drive outputs
are shorted together to implement a dynamic brake.
The following electrical connections must be made:
Azimuth and Elevation Motor Drive - 4 wires (2 for each axis)
These cables connect the controller to the azimuth and elevation motors. The conductors must be
sized appropriately so that sufficient voltage is supplied to the motors. The voltage supplied to the
motors will be the output voltage from the controller less the voltage drop caused by the resistance of
the wires.
The output voltage of the controller is a function of the current supplied to the motors. The voltage drop
in the wires connecting the controller to the antenna is determined by the wire size, the wire length, and
the current supplied to the motors. Figure A-1 (appendix H) in the back of this manual shows the
relationship between the controller output voltage and load current.
The following tables show the separation between the controller and the antenna which will result in 28
and 22 volts being applied to the antenna drive motors as a function of motor current and wire gauge.
The tables take into account the controller output loading and resistive losses in the conductors.
Separation (in feet) between controller and antenna which will result in 28 volts being applied to the
motors:
Wire Gauge Motor
Current
16 (1.3 sq. mm) 14 (2.1 sq. mm) 12 (3.3 sq. mm) 10 (5.26 sq. mm)
2 Amps 600 950 1500 2410
3 Amps 340 520 830 1350
4 Amps 220 340 550 880
6 Amps 90 140 230 340
8 Amps 30 40 70 120
Separation (in feet) between controller and antenna which will result in 22 volts being applied to the
motors:
Wire Gauge Motor
Current
16 (1.3 sq. mm) 14 (2.1 sq. mm) 12 (3.3 sq. mm) 10 (5.26 sq. mm)
2 Amps 970 1530 2430 3930
3 Amps 580 920 1460 2370
4 Amps 400 640 1020 1650
6 Amps 220 340 550 880
8 Amps 120 190 310 500
A typical 36-volt actuator will draw 2 to 4 amps and will run at voltages down to about 12 volts.
Polarotor tm - 3 wires in a shielded cable.
A Polarotor tm is a servo type device used for polarization control. Note that not all versions of the
controller support polarization control. The Polarotor tm requires minimum current, typically 18-22 gauge
conductors are used.