Ameritron SDC-102 Instruction Manual

AMERITRON SDC-102

Version 0B

Sc rewd river Antenna

P LE A S E RE A D T HIS M A N U A L BEFOR E OP ERATING T H I S EQUIP M EN T !

Controller

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

116 Willow Road

Starkville, MS 39759 USA

662-323-8211

Pri nted in U.S.A.

SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller with Memory Instruction Manual

Contents

Introduction............................................................................................................ 1

Features ................................................................................................................. 1

Front Panel............................................................................................................. 1

Installation ............................................................................................................. 2

Motor Operating Voltage ....................................................................................... 3

Menu…. ................................................................................................................. 3

Technical Assistance.............................................................................................. 5

Storing Memory..................................................................................................... 5

Schematic............................................................................................................... 6

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SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller with Memory Instruction Manual

Introduction

The SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller provides manual operation for tuning
screwdriver antennas. In addition, tuned positions can be saved in one of the 10
presets so it can be recalled later. A 4-digit counter is used to display the current
antenna position. A sensor is required for the counter and automatic operation
to function properly. This controller is compatible with single and dual sensor
setups. If your antenna does not have a sensor installed, contact the antenna
manufacturer or Ameritron.

Features

• 4-Digit Turns Display

• 10 Programmable Presets

• Manual Up/Down Buttons

• Current Sensor Trip for Antenna/Motor Protection

• Auto-Park: Lowers antenna to lowest position and zeros counter

• Powered From 12V Vehicle Supply

Front Panel

• Power: Push button switch powers the controller on and off.

• Up: Moves the screwdriver antenna up.

• Down: Moves the screwdriver antenna down.

• Buttons 1 – 5: Top bank of preset buttons.

• Buttons 6 – 10: Bottom bank of preset buttons.

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SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller with Memory Instruction Manual

Installation (A)
Controllers that have six wire leads.

There are six wires that need to be connected in order for the controller to
function properly.

1. The red wire needs to be fused and connected to the vehicle’s +12

2. The black wire needs to be connected to the vehicle (station) ground.

VDC supply. The size of the fuse depends upon the current requirement
of the antenna motor. Typically a 5 Amp slow-blow fuse will work.
Some installations may require additional wire. Use 16 AWG wire to
add additional length.

If the supplied red and black wires are not long enough, Use 16 AWG
wire to add additional length.

WARNING: Do not reverse the polarity of the Red and Black

wires. Damage will occur to the controller.

3. The remaining four wires are connected to the antenna. The Green and

Yellow wires are connected to the motor. The polarity of the motor
connection determines the direction of the antenna. If the motor moves
in the wrong direction, swap the wires or see the menu setup section for
setting the correct direction.

4. The Brown and White wires are the sensor wires and should be

connected to the magnetic sensor on the antenna. There is no polarity
associated with these wires. The following table shows the wire color
and connections.

Red +12VDC
Black Vehicle Ground
Green Antenna Motor
Yellow Antenna Motor
Brown Magnetic Sensor
White Magnetic Sensor

You will need to connect wires to each of these four wires, so that they will
reach your screwdriver antenna. Use quality insulated wire for these extensions.
The motor control wires should be no smaller than 18 AWG. the sensor wires
should be no smaller than 24 AWG. Take care and follow your antenna
manufacturer’s suggestions about routing these wires for a mobile installation.
Avoid routing control wires with the feed line. Make sure a RF choke is placed
around the control lines at the antenna.

Installation (B)
Controllers that have the 4 pin Molex plug.

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SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller with Memory Instruction Manual

1. The red wire needs to be fused and connected to the vehicle’s +12
VDC supply. The size of the fuse depends upon the current requirement
of the antenna motor. Typically a 5 Amp slow-blow fuse will work.
Some installations may require additional wire. Use 16 AWG wire to
add additional length.

2. The black wire needs to be connected to the vehicle (station) ground.
If the supplied red and black wires are not long enough, Use 16 AWG
wire to add additional length.

3. Connect the 4 pin Molex to the antenna.

motor control

Antennas that do not have a 4 pin plug. The plug can be cut

off. Use the chart below for wire color and its function.

CONTROL CABLE

RED MOTOR WIRE
BLACK MOTOR WIRE
GREEN SENSOR

WHITE SENSOR

WARNING: An RF choke must be placed around the control lines at

the antenna. The Controller may be damaged if an RF
choke is not used.

Motor Operating Voltage

This control unit is designed to operate with a screwdriver antenna that operates
on 12 volts. Many antennas operate on only 3 or 4 volts, a Dropping Resistor
can be used inline with the motor wires to bring the voltage down. Consult your
antenna manual or manufacturer for the operating voltage.

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SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller with Memory Instruction Manual

Important: Failure to adjust and operate your screwdriver

antenna at the proper voltage will damage the
antenna motor.

If a dropping resistor is necessary, a good value to try is 5 Ω/10 Watts. This
resistor will need to be placed inline on one of the motor control lines anywhere
in between the SDC-102 and the antenna. If you are not sure whether or not this
resistor is necessary for your antenna, try it and inspect the torque and speed of
the motor. If the motor is too slow, reduce or eliminate the resistance. Use of
12 volts with a 3 or 4-volt antenna will result in failure of the motor.

WARNING: Do not apply voltages greater than 18 volts to this unit, or

permanent damage to the unit and antenna may result.

Menu

The table below lists the features and options of the SDC-102. Use this table
and the following section to adjust these settings specific to your screwdriver
antenna and its requirements for proper operation.

Function Activate By: Description

Reset Hold Down button

while powering up unit.

Auto Park Depress Up and Down

simultaneously for 2
seconds.

Current

Mode
Setup
Menu

Setup Menu

The SDC-102 controller must be calibrated for the screwdriver antenna that it
will control. This includes calibration of the counter and the selection of the
motor trip current.

Press Button 2 while
powering up unit.
Press Button 6 while
powering up unit.

Setup Menu Flow

Hold Button 6 + Power On  Trip Current (C)  Relay Delay (d) 
Set UP  Normal Operation

Clears all memory positions

Bottoms antenna and zeros the counter

Displays Motor Current when moving
antenna
Allows setting the trip current and relay
delay.

Setup Menu Navigation

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SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller with Memory Instruction Manual

After entering setup, the setting and the value are displayed. Pressing Up or
Down changes the value. Pressing Buttons 1 – 10 will save the selected value
and move to the next setting. After the end is reached the last value is saved and
the controller continues with normal operation.

Trip Current

This is shown in the menu with a “C” in the left-most digit. The other 3
digits will display the currently selected value. The trip current value is
used to determine when the motor has stalled and immediately shuts the
motor off. This feature protects the motor from damage if the antenna
becomes stalled. The current is displayed as Cxxx, which translates into
x.xx amps. The default setting is C075 or 0.75 amps. This is also the
setting for use with the Ameritron SDA-100 Screwdriver Antenna.

Trip Current Selection

The trip current value is used to determine when the motor has stalled
and immediately shuts the motor off. In order to determine the trip
current value that needs to be set, the controller can be turned on in
current mode to display the current that is read from the current sensor.
In this mode, when the antenna is moved, the current drawn by the
motor is shown. Stalling the motor by moving the antenna all the way
down will show the stall current of the motor. A value between ¼ and
¾ of the stall current should be enough for the trip current setting and is
shown on the display in the same way as setting the trip current.

Relay Delay

This setting controls the amount of time the relays are reversed when
the motor is stopped. When the motor is stopped, the relay that was
moving the motor is deactivated and the opposite relay is activated for
the duration set in the menu. The default setting is 20ms. The values
range from 0ms – 200ms.

UP

This determines which button will move the antenna up. This can also
be used to move the antenna correctly if the motor terminals are
reversed. When UP is on the display, press the corresponding button
(Up or Down), which moves the antenna up. This is then saved to
memory. Pressing any other key will not make any changes and simply
exit setup. Since this is the last setting in the setup menu. The controller
will proceed with normal operation.

Saving Memory Positions

To store memory press and hold any button 1 thru 10 until the display
reads done.

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SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller with Memory Instruction Manual

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

If you have any problems with this unit, please read the manual again. If this
manual does not reference your problem or reading the manual does not solve
your problem, you may call Ameritron at 662-323-8211.

Schematic

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SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller with Memory Instruction Manual

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SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller with Memory Instruction Manual

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SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller with Memory Instruction Manual

NOTES:

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SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller with Memory Instruction Manual

NOTES:

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SDC-102 Screwdriver Controller with Memory Instruction Manual

DISCLAIMER

Information in this manual is designed for user purposes only and
is not intended to supersede information contained in customer
regulations, technical manuals/documents, positional handbooks,
or other official publications. The copy of this manual provided to
the customer will not be updated to reflect current data.

Customers using this manual should report errors or omissions,
recommendations for improvements, or other comments to
Ameritron 116 Willow Road, Starkville, MS 39759. Phone: (662)
323-8211; FAX: [phone]. Business hours: M-F 8-4:30
CST.

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