Yeah, I used unistruts/superstruts for some of my other projects...
Looks like he got quite a bit of a setup. I'm trying to avoid that.
Maybe I just look into other more heavy duty rotators. Thank you for
all this information!
Regards,
Simon
On Wed, Aug 21, 2024 at 4:59?AM wn4isx via groups.io
<wn4isx@...> wrote:
He used PVC pipe cut lengthwise with hose clamps to compress the PVC for a "sort of snug fit." lubricated with silicon grease and fabricated an "umbrella" with a hole in it to keep out water. This was to keep the grease from washing out and to prevent rain water ingress that would lock things when the temps dropped below freezing. It is butt ugly but works.
There are a variety of vertical support and cross members that'd work.
The "Allied Tube & Conduit 10-ft 12-Gauge Electro-galvanized Slotted Channel Strut" Is called uni-strut as a generic name by electricians and several different companies make similar or identical material. The advantage of this stuff is they make specialized nuts that make assembly a breeze. The material is also heavily galvanized so it should last at least a decade before rust is an issue.
The strut material is a bit pricy. One could use treated wood if they dug post holes, or galvanized pipe, I suspect 1" steel pipe would be strong enough.
The strut material's shape adds to the stability of the buried section.
I've seen commercial utility electric service entrance (tech speak for meter box) mounted "struts" that I know have been there for at least 30+ years. The Goodwill I "mine" once a month or so went in in the late 1980s and their service entrance is mounted on "struts.
Note: One must be careful to not allow any DC to flow through the "Slotted Channel Strut" because that can strip off the zinc.
If any negative DC current does flow, one must counter it by biasing the struts positive.
The telephone company (when they used copper) used positive ground so electrolysis would deposit minerals on exposed wires and not reverse electro-plate the copper away.
Positive current will cause the strut to rot away.
