Birdview project w photos

[Lone Cloud]

I think I'll start a new thread on this. I went out and got a camera that appears to be giving really good and detailed shots. I'll start with a few pictures.

[turbosat]

Nice paint job! Looking good, hope I can find one of those things someday.

[Lone Cloud]

I actually didn't paint the dish. I used one of those stainless steel chain-link brillo pads to get the dirt off. It still needs painting. It has that sort of sandy paint job on it that looks to be original. The logo on the dish itself came off pretty easy, except for the smudge of paper you can see in the photo.

In one picture I am holding the removed pentiometer essentially where I took if off of. It's a shame that I can't use it. If only the guy would look for his Birdview receiver. It's in his house somewhere. Then I wouldn't have to modify this thing.

Anyway, the second picture represents me cutting the sanding wheel down to start making the magnet wheel. I figured I would just put it on and start the machine up, then I'd cut it with diamond bit on a moto tool. this way it would be round for sure. I had measured the clearance I'd have on the hh motor and cut it for that clearance.

[Lone Cloud]

Here are a few more photos of the magnet wheel, reed sensor mod for my Birdview project.

The first is the cut going through and the sanding wheel is cut down to size. The second is a back view of the wheel with an allen wrench sticking in it. You'll note that the wheel was cast with ridges that divide the wheel into thirds. This, I believe will help to get the magnets spaced evenly.

The third is a picture of the wheel with some of the tools I'll be using to space the magnets exactly



Speaking of the reed switch again, I'm finding those sealed glass units and I'm finding some used on a Von Weise actuator. Who can I talk to for tech help?

[Anole]

Speaking of the reed switch again, I'm finding those sealed glass units and I'm finding some used on a Von Weise actuator. Who can I talk to for tech help?

The thread where Linuxman invented his own wheel would have the most info on the subject.
He and I did some additional brainstorming on the phone, but I think it's all reflected in his posts.
You might read through that thread two or three times, filter out what didn't work well for him, and give your own ideas a try.
The wheel doesn't turn fast, so this isn't rocket science.

The little glass reed-switch capsules may be available at Radio Shack.
Though, over the years, they've cut back a lot on parts.
Look for a store with FOUR of the sets of the grey pull-out drawers.
If you find a store with only two, keep looking
I'll go double check those numbers at my buddy's store - he has the maximum.

[Lone Cloud]

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Actually I've read the threads and asked linuxman directly about his reed switch. So far, he's the only one who has successfully completed a modification and for that he used a spare Birdview reed switch he got off another unit.

In my research, the purpose of the switch is for pulse counting. The Von Wiese unit is more expensive and looks different from the glass encapsulated units. There is a discussion on one of the sites I looked at how important it is to match the switch to the specific electrical limitations of the project.

Obviously, I'm making this modification to last. I want to set it and forget it.

Here is a picture of the wheel and the magnets I will implant in it. If there is a Radio Shack that has a usable item, I'd appreciate the info.