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radar and wind generator

  • April 30, 2011 10:49 PM
    Quote
    Message # 581557
    Deleted user

    I'm installing an airbreeze wind generator on an aluminum pole on the boomkin. I was plan ing to mount a radome below that and to run all cable and wiring down, inside the pole. The instructions for the radar say that running the antenna cable near or parallel to power cables may cause interference. I know others have setups like this, has anyone experienced interference when running the antenna and power cables together inside the pole?

     
  • May 01, 2011 7:06 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 581654 on 581557
    Deleted user
    David Wiencke wrote:

    I'm installing an airbreeze wind generator on an aluminum pole on the boomkin. I was plan ing to mount a radome below that and to run all cable and wiring down, inside the pole. The instructions for the radar say that running the antenna cable near or parallel to power cables may cause interference. I know others have setups like this, has anyone experienced interference when running the antenna and power cables together inside the pole?

     


    My thoughts...

    Though I am not familiar with the airbreeze, wind generators have big potential to generate ugly RFI. The best prevention in this setup is to try and shield all the cables individually (if not already shielded by the mfgr) as best as possible. Electrically grounding the aluminum pole may help too.
  • May 01, 2011 10:03 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 581712 on 581557
    Anonymous member
    Using twisted pairs for the wind power cord will help. Twist your own or West Marine sellsl 14 guage twisted shielded pair $1.59/foot..  If 14 gauge  is thick enough for you, that should be excellent RFI shielding.

    Another help, buy some kids kanoodles at the dollar store. (The flexible plastic foam tubes that kids use as play swords.)   You can use that to maintain minimum distance between the power and radar cables.  Run power down the center and radar on the outside.  

    The radar cable bundle should have its own RFI sheild.  

    Power shield + Radar shield + separation, you should be tripple protected.  

    Be sure to ground all shields.
  • May 01, 2011 11:13 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 581724 on 581557
    Deleted user

    Thanks Dick,

    I envisioned a clean run of all wires/cables inside the pole, but maybe that's asking for trouble. I don't want to have to redo it, so I'll probably run the radar cable down the outside of the pole, unless someone else chimes in...by the way, I learned a great trick last year for twisting wire using an electric drill; lock one end of the pair of +/- wires in the chuck, lock the other end in a vise (or have someone hold the other end with pliers),  keep tensioned and run the drill til twisted. Works very slick.