Thought I'd throw out this question for the masses...does anyone know of a company that repairs the Andrew line dehydrators?
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Andrew line dehydrator repair
- Thread starter zachmorton
- Start date
Hello Zack,
I noticed nobody replied, so if I may, let me take a shot at this…
These units are not overly complicated in design or operation, however they are not user repair friendly at all. Honestly, I’ve never repaired one, but long before I entered into the broadcast engineering field, I worked in an FAA repair station that serviced oxygen (air) pressure control equipment for aircraft life support systems. I can tell you that unless it’s a simple leak on a compression fitting, or you have a good idea of exactly where the problem is, you may be hard pressed to find a local mechanic that has the 'know how' to disassemble and properly rebuild the unit. There are a hand full of special size packing “o” rings and Teflon seals throughout the entire unit, plus special diaphragms inside the regulator valve, pressure switch and the compressor mechanism itself. And, that’s just the “air” side of it. Knowing what the unit is or is not doing might point faster to the where the real problem inside is, but again, even rebuilding a simple pressure valve requires the correct internal parts and the proper equipment to test it. Best bet would be to contact Harris or even Commscope, get a loaner shipped in from them, and ship it to their service center. You’ll probably need deep pockets for the repair, but keep in mind, you’ll need even deeper ones if you give the unit to an unqualified tech, and it comes back blasting 15-25 PSI into your transmission line.
I do apologize if you already know what I wrote above. I hope the information is somewhat helpful.
Regards,
RadioRickster
CE/WXJB FM
I noticed nobody replied, so if I may, let me take a shot at this…
These units are not overly complicated in design or operation, however they are not user repair friendly at all. Honestly, I’ve never repaired one, but long before I entered into the broadcast engineering field, I worked in an FAA repair station that serviced oxygen (air) pressure control equipment for aircraft life support systems. I can tell you that unless it’s a simple leak on a compression fitting, or you have a good idea of exactly where the problem is, you may be hard pressed to find a local mechanic that has the 'know how' to disassemble and properly rebuild the unit. There are a hand full of special size packing “o” rings and Teflon seals throughout the entire unit, plus special diaphragms inside the regulator valve, pressure switch and the compressor mechanism itself. And, that’s just the “air” side of it. Knowing what the unit is or is not doing might point faster to the where the real problem inside is, but again, even rebuilding a simple pressure valve requires the correct internal parts and the proper equipment to test it. Best bet would be to contact Harris or even Commscope, get a loaner shipped in from them, and ship it to their service center. You’ll probably need deep pockets for the repair, but keep in mind, you’ll need even deeper ones if you give the unit to an unqualified tech, and it comes back blasting 15-25 PSI into your transmission line.
I do apologize if you already know what I wrote above. I hope the information is somewhat helpful.
Regards,
RadioRickster
CE/WXJB FM
actually no, it just confirms what I already suspected. I will be sending it back to commscope. thanks for the advice!
Zack,
There is a company in Ventura CA and Dallas, Tx that repairs the Andrew dehydrator and a great price and fast turnaround. They are
101 Telco Solutions.
2745 Sherwin Ave. Suite 12
Ventura, CA. 93003
Contact: Joe Kennedy
805-477-0101
[email protected]
There is a company in Ventura CA and Dallas, Tx that repairs the Andrew dehydrator and a great price and fast turnaround. They are
101 Telco Solutions.
2745 Sherwin Ave. Suite 12
Ventura, CA. 93003
Contact: Joe Kennedy
805-477-0101
[email protected]
It's almost better to shop around & find a good regulator to keep the pressure around 2 pounds output (not easy to locate, but they exist) and go to Menards or Home Depot and buy an air compressor for $150 or so. It will charge it's own tank up to a large pressure and as a result, even if you have quite a leak, the compressor won't run often. If it eventually fails, another $150 and you're back in business right away. My tower guy carries a home made set up like this in his truck so when there's a leak, he's always prepared. I've done a couple stations like this and it's been a good experience.
The little LP gas regulators used on grills work in a pinch.
Just have to do some 'daptin.
Just have to do some 'daptin.
Yes, some pressure is better than no pressure...if there is a leak, at least it'll blow the moisture back out the hole instead of letting it migrate into the line and causing an arc.
If you are using a simple air compressor from Lowes' or whoever, you still need to get a dessecant container to put between it and the line. And, you'll need to make sure that the compressor is a dry compressor and doesn't have some kind of oil. I know...been there done that. Just better safe than sorry. Personally, I would rather run nitrogen through it than just compressed air, but in a pinch, compressed air is better than nothing. Traditionally, you can purge the line by pressurizing it with nitrogen, then bleed it out, pressurizing it, bleeding it, etc...until the air is dry. While there is no real way to tell, it's better than just filling it up with compressed air. Nitrogen displaces the moisture by drying...because of it's nature.
Alternatively, at least on the newer antennas, there is a pressure check valve at the top of the antenna...so you run it until the valve opens...then back down the pressure below the rating on the check valve. Others have had climbers go up, open the line...and someone runs a tank of nitrogen until it purges the air out.
All depends on your methods...in this day and age, gotta make do sometimes, but it's alot cheaper than replacing a 3" line that has arced over.
If you are using a simple air compressor from Lowes' or whoever, you still need to get a dessecant container to put between it and the line. And, you'll need to make sure that the compressor is a dry compressor and doesn't have some kind of oil. I know...been there done that. Just better safe than sorry. Personally, I would rather run nitrogen through it than just compressed air, but in a pinch, compressed air is better than nothing. Traditionally, you can purge the line by pressurizing it with nitrogen, then bleed it out, pressurizing it, bleeding it, etc...until the air is dry. While there is no real way to tell, it's better than just filling it up with compressed air. Nitrogen displaces the moisture by drying...because of it's nature.
Alternatively, at least on the newer antennas, there is a pressure check valve at the top of the antenna...so you run it until the valve opens...then back down the pressure below the rating on the check valve. Others have had climbers go up, open the line...and someone runs a tank of nitrogen until it purges the air out.
All depends on your methods...in this day and age, gotta make do sometimes, but it's alot cheaper than replacing a 3" line that has arced over.
I have had to use a compressor one time. I tried to make a dehydrator by running the low pressure air thru a 4 inch pipe about a foot long that was packed with all the dessecant packages I could find. Then the remaining part of the pipe was packed with some of those super assorbant baby diapers. I never tested the dewpoint on the air to see how well it worked (or didn't). Ran it for several months with no problems. This system had a small leak so I had to keep some pressure on it.
Sometimes you just have to use what you can lay your hands on at the time of need.
Sometimes you just have to use what you can lay your hands on at the time of need.
Agreed REW...like I said, been there done that!
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