As promised in this post, here’s the parts list for the “Easy Mast” system I posted about recently. Note that several components I bought were more expensive than probably required, simply because they were readily available quickly via Amazon Prime. You can save money on the linear actuator by shopping around a bit.
It consists of the following main components:
Firgelli Automations FA-400-L-12-24 Heavy Duty Linear Actuator, 400 lb. Force, 24″ Stroke Length, 30.88″ Length
midwest air technologies 328504b 10 Pack, 3/8″ x 3″, Galvanized Carriage Bolt With Nut
72″ segment of 1.25″ galvanized pipe, threaded on both ends ($23 at Lowes)
24″ segment of 1.25″ galvanized pipe, threaded on both ends (combine both to transfer the antenna to mast) – $15 at Lowes
2 x 1.25″ galvanized pipe barrel couplers – $2.50 each at Lowe’s
Hammond 1591ESBK ABS Project Box Black
ABN 110V AC to 12V DC 10 AMP Cigarette to Plug Power Converter, Adapter
One of the two pipe barrel connectors was drilled on a drill press for mounting to pipe to the liner actuator. One end of it is screwed onto the 6′ threaded pipe. A carriage bolt is used to secure the other end of the barrel connector to bottom of the linear actuator.
The DPDT switch provides DC current in each direction for raising/lowering the actuator. I split the 12 VDC from the power converter by soldering two pairs of wires in reverse order to each end of the DPDT switch, so the middle, common terminals feed voltage to the linear actuator.
The rubber-covered chain connects the linear actuator arm to the mast for raising the mast. Use the 2nd carriage bolt to secure the chain to the top arm of the linear actuator, which then binds around the mast and lifts it.
I cost me about $300 to build this rig. By using a less expensive linear actuator under $100, a cheaper 12 VDC supply and looking around for better deal on threaded pipe, you can probably build this thing for less than half of what it cost me the first time around.
Good luck!
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