Review: Channel Master 9521A Rotor. It's better now.

[Denny D]

As some of you may know the Channel Master 9521A rotor has had some reliability problems over the past few years. For those who need a rotor getting a quality rotor of any kind has been a challenge to say the least. Starting in 2011 through the early months of 2012 Channel Master back ordered the 9521A for about 10 months. We were told they were making improvements that would solve the issues with the 9521A. I'm happy to report that the 9521A rotor is much better now. We currently have over 500 of the newly improved units out in the field. Out of the 500 we have had zero reported problems with the outdoor mast motor and only four issues with the indoor control unit. This is good news for those who need a rotor!

Denny
Denny's Antenna Sales
"Helping America Watch Free TV Since 1988"

 

[tripelo]

Channel Master 9521A Rotor.

Denny,

Thank you for this report.

What were the past reliability problems with the 9521A?

Specifically, what changes did Channel Master make to the unit?

What are the currently reported issues?

 

[Fringe Reception]

Denny,

Have you been able to determine what improvements have been done, perhaps metal rather than plastic gears? Are the revised units using the same housing or are they visually identical? Thanks,

Jim

 

[Denny D]

The Channel Master 9521A is manufactured in lots of thousands and shipped to the USA. Each lot had a different problem. One problem may be solved but another would arise.

Most of the issues with the Channel Master 9521A started when the manufacturing was moved from the USA to China. I'll try to recall what all of the issue were.

The first lot (boatload) the outdoor motor would get stuck in what I call the "North stop". The motor would run fine. However, when it would hit the 360 degree stopping position it would simply stop and not start up again. It would be stuck in this position and the motor would just hum.

The next batch that came in had the "North stop" problem mentioned above solved but the mast motor on these units would simply quit working in any position. The winding wire used on the motor was too small of gauge and would burn up (fry) when in use.

Almost forgot the ball bearings. We had several units that were returned to us and the ball bearings that are used at the main pivot point (where the top throat sets into the main housing) would be rolling around inside of the housing.

The housing appearance on the revised Channel Master 9521A rotor is the same. Consumers be aware that there are still old units out there and being sold. The only way I know of to determine the bad units from the revised good is the box it comes in. The print and pictures on the box are different. I will post a picture of the new box later today.

I want to be clear to those reading this post that the above issues were from the past. As I mentioned above in my original post we have shipped over 500 Channel Master 9521A rotors out over the past few months. Our customers are using these new units all over the Country and to date we have had zero reports of any problems with the mast motor unit and only 4 issue with the indoor control unit. It is my opinion that the Channel Master 9521A rotor is now reliable. In the future if the 9521A begins to have any issues I will post here.

If you're a consumer searching the Net for Channel Master 9521A rotor reviews there are some bad reviews out there. Be sure to look at the date the review was posted. You'll find most bad reviews are older and not current.

 

[tripelo]

Thanks Denny,

Not familiar with recent CM rotators.

Have opened a few of the very old USA made ones (9512). The outside units that failed usually had a burned spot on the motor windings. Surmised that lightning caused the open winding. The inside controller sometimes had a problem in that it would keep turning until reaching the stop. Been so long that I forgot what the fix was for that one.

The outside unit of the 9521A looks similar to the old 9512, is it similar?

Are the motors interchangeable?

 

[Denny D]

Here are the pictures of the old and new rotor boxes. The rotors that come in the new box are much less likely to have a problem.


Old Channel Master 9521A rotor box.


New/revised Channel Master 9521A rotor box.

Denny
Denny's Antenna Sales

 

[Denny D]

Thanks Denny,

Not familiar with recent CM rotators.

Have opened a few of the very old USA made ones (9512). The outside units that failed usually had a burned spot on the motor windings. Surmised that lightning caused the open winding. The inside controller sometimes had a problem in that it would keep turning until reaching the stop. Been so long that I forgot what the fix was for that one.

The outside unit of the 9521A looks similar to the old 9512, is it similar?

Are the motors interchangeable?

The solution I used that would allow the pointer to stop properly and not continue turning until reaching the top was to sprinkle talc powder under the control knob.

Yes, the 9512 and the 9521A rotor housing are very similar. I'm not sure if the motors are interchangeable. Seems if I remember correctly somewhere along the line the controller voltage was changed. Can't say for certain.