Loud rotator

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SBFD-E-9

Member
May 24, 2010
1,358
Washington IL
I have a mini vector bar, and the center rotator is pretty loud. It will run loud for a while, and then normal for 10-15 seconds and then back to loud/grinding. I took the dome off and the gears aren't chewed up or anything, and nothing seems loose. Any ideas?


Dan
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,925
Northwest Ohio
could be gears, rotation point or motor going bad.
 

C2Installs

Member
May 24, 2010
477
Tennessee
We used to have a fleet full of Smart Vectors and I have learned a few things about maintaining them (and rotators in general). Your problem is almost certainly the rotator post. To fix, remove bulb retaining clip, remove bulb, pull rotator body off. Then clean the rotator sleeve (the hole) with water and a mild detergent/degreaser (best in my opinion is http://www.slip2000.com/725.html ) and dry. Next, clean the metal rotator post by wiping it off, degreasing and drying. Lightly lube the post with plastic-safe white lithium or similar. While you are in there, be sure to clean & lube gears, clean/polish reflectors, check wiring, and inspect the bulbs (if the filaments look stretched or "gritty" then just replace them preemptively.) This was my method for keeping the Smart Vectors running and it worked well. You will be amazed at how much noise the rotator post causes.
 

SBFD-E-9

Member
May 24, 2010
1,358
Washington IL
C2Installs said:
We used to have a fleet full of Smart Vectors and I have learned a few things about maintaining them (and rotators in general). Your problem is almost certainly the rotator post. To fix, remove bulb retaining clip, remove bulb, pull rotator body off. Then clean the rotator sleeve (the hole) with water and a mild detergent/degreaser (best in my opinion is http://www.slip2000.com/725.html ) and dry. Next, clean the metal rotator post by wiping it off, degreasing and drying. Lightly lube the post with plastic-safe white lithium or similar. While you are in there, be sure to clean & lube gears, clean/polish reflectors, check wiring, and inspect the bulbs (if the filaments look stretched or "gritty" then just replace them preemptively.) This was my method for keeping the Smart Vectors running and it worked well. You will be amazed at how much noise the rotator post causes.

Thanks for the tip! I'll give these ideas a try. Thanks to the other posters as well. I have some good ideas now.


Dan
 

SBFD-E-9

Member
May 24, 2010
1,358
Washington IL
Just an update in case anyone else has a loud rotator. I did what C2Installs suggested, and it worked great. The rotator now runs smooth and quiet. Thanks!


Dan
 
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