Ford 2003 Explorer, possible PROBLEM for Lowbanders... Please read, pass along to other Explorer owners!
 

Hi guys,
I was just at my dealer.., had a problem with the rear optional climate
control motor....
I placed the low band ball mount on the drivers side of the vehicle, near
the back hatch...
(Actually it is almost in the same area as the gas door, only the ball mount
is on the driver's side.)
On my vehicle, it has the upgraded rear fan / climate control, which has
it's controls in the front ceiling, near the mirror.
The actual fan is near my ball mount, drivers side, rear.
In any event, I drilled the hole exactly where the last one was on my 98
Explorer, and then attached a rather healthy 1" ground strap, and ran that
to my LDG...
In addition, I then placed the coax on the mount, and did my usual 8 turns
of RG-8U for the current balun.
Then, bundled both with tape and ran the coax and ground strap to the
tuner.
Along the way... the ground strap touched the outer part (the case in other
words) of the fan motor, which ,,,, I assumed was at GROUND POTENTIAL, well
guess what, it is NOT at GROUND POTENTIAL! It is at POSITIVE POTENTIAL. Go
figure. Got LARGE SPARKS!, and burned out some sort of resistor that
regulates this rear fan..
In any event, it blew the resistor on the motor, a minor part to replace.
So, don't assume that cases of motor's are at ground potential.
See you on 40 & 20 SSB & CW.


--
Best Regards, Frank KG9H

Frank Krozel, Technical Representative,
Electronic Instrument Associates Central, Inc.
Website: http://www.electronicinstrument.com
Voice: 630-924-1600 Fax: 630-924-1668
Cellular: 630-890-5421 Home 630-653-9090

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