does anyone know how to convert an old actuator with a variable pot to a reed switch?

[chaskuchar]

hope i don't have to buy a new actuator. i have got my 6' dish to get everything from amc6 to amc10. but i have to click the gbox 65 times to traverse the arc. straight south is g97. using the small dish and receiver for some stations but the good receiver gets wide screen... old actuator is a prosat 118. charlie

 

[Anole]

In theory, yes.
In practice, no.

Actuators are rated as to how many counts per inch they make.
Measure how many turns of the main screw it takes to go an inch.
Let's say it'll take 8 turns to go the inch.
If you can fit a 4-magnet wheel to the shaft, then 8 x 4 = 24 counts per inch.
That would be fairly typical.
Some better actuators do 36 or 48 counts per inch, but they are top of the line.

 

[Bongu]

8 x 4 = 24????
New math? Should it be 32??

Sent from my Timex Sinclair using SatelliteGuys

 

[FaT Air]

Post some pictures of the insides, may get a better grasp of what you have, and what it needs. But, locating magnet wheels may be a problem. May have to make one, or locate a salvaged part.

 

[Magic Static]

I was looking through the SKYVISION catalogue and they have a huge selection of mover parts and also converion kits for sensors. They also have a chart in there showing most actuators and what kind of sensor they use. (very good reference material)

 

[chaskuchar]

hopefully i can find the skyvision website. i talked to the local dish installer who gave me the old actuator. we talked about a reed based actuator instead of the old one. he said does it click? i thought it might. he said he might have a clicking motor to put on the old actuator. btw, this guy is 82 years old and still installing dish antennas. he installs dishnetwork dishes around here. charlie

 

[Anole]

8 x 4 = 24????
New math? Should it be 32??

Well, it's good to see a few members actually read... and think...! -

Maybe I was thinking 6 turns per inch...
... or three magnets...
But generally you'll want an even number of magnets, if you're going to crowd in a bunch of 'em.
I know the AJAK uses five, but it's peculiar....(and uses some magnetic magic to get 10 pulses per turn).

 

[chaskuchar]

ordered heavy duty actuator from sadoun. that should solve my difficulty. charlie