Dawn CONTROL-1500A Manual page 63

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CONTROL-1500A Single Axis Antenna Controller Chapter 6 Troubleshooting/Alarm Codes
When this occurs the controller is generally losing or gaining position counts for a given axis as
the antenna moves about that axis. Please review the items mentioned in Section 3.2 -
Azimuth and Elevation Position Sense.
If the cause of the problem is not found and only one axis is affected, consider replacing the
position sense module and/or magnets in the actuator. If both axis are affected the motor drive
wires may have to be shielded. This is seldom necessary, but if it is, follow the rules for
connecting the shields as outlined in Section 3.2.
THE CONTROLLER RETURNS TO APPROXIMATELY THE CORRECT POSITION BUT
MUST BE PEAKED MANUALLY TO ACHIEVE A GOOD SIGNAL
This is generally an indication of mechanical hysteresis (slop) in either the actuator or the
mount. When this occurs the antenna will peak up in one position when approaching the
satellite from the west and another when approaching the satellite from the east. To test for
this, move the antenna quite a distance west of the satellite and manually move the antenna
east at slow speed until the peak is reached. Repeat the procedure when approaching the
satellite from the east. The difference in azimuth position between the 2 peaks is the
mechanical hysteresis. In this situation, try to eliminate the slop in the mount. If this is not
possible, always approach each satellite from the same direction in which it was originally
programmed (typically east to west).
ANTENNA ERROR OCCURS
To determine the cause of this error go to RESET mode. One of the following error messages
will be displayed: JAMMED, RUNAWAY, or DRIVE. Here are the likely causes of each of
these errors:
JAMMED - This error indicates that the drive was commanded to move, but movement was
not sensed. This can be caused by an mechanical jam at the antenna, or the antenna may be
moving but position feedback pulses are not getting back to the controller. Determine which
condition exists.
If the antenna is not moving there may either be a faulty motor, a wiring problem, a mechanical
limit switch has been encountered, or the breaker in the drive circuit has tripped (the breaker
may be reset from the back of the unit). If the antenna is moving but position pulses are not
reaching the controller, check the sensor wiring of the sensor module in the antenna actuator.
RUNAWAY - This error occurs when position pulses are recorded but the antenna has not
been commanded to move. Check the items listed in Section 3.2 - Azimuth and Elevation
Position Sense. If this error occurs just after the antenna has been moving and the drive
signals are released, review the 'DEADBAND' CONFIG mode items described in section 4.9.5.
DRIVE - This error indicates that the controller's electronic overcurrent sensing has detected
an overcurrent condition and has shut the drive down. There are pots which control the level
at which the electronic overcurrent sensing trips. These pots may have to be adjusted. Please
consult the factory. Under no circumstances should the load current supplied by the controller
be allowed to exceed 8 amps for more than several seconds.
THE AUTOPOL SYSTEM DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK PROPERLY
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