Reed switch sensor actuator

[dashaund]

Hey guys. Finally got my Unimesh 10 footer going (yayayay!). I must say I LOVE C-band. Not that I didn't enjoy my motorized Ku setup, but there's SO much more on C. Anyways, I've run into a snag. I'm using the GBOX V3000 to move my dish. It will move it but only one pulse at a time. I've got my satellites programmed with my Coolsat, and every time I move the dish it says E-2. Like I said, the dish will move, but only one pulse at a time, it won't take off on it's own. I've tried hooking the Gbox straight into the actuator (no extension) and the same thing happens, so I know it's not my cable. I've read around and some have told me to check the reed switch sensor. I don't know where to check that or what to do. Any ideas? Should I just buy a new actuator or is there anyway to fix this?

[Anole]

What I've read here, is that the E2 error means this:
I'm moving the motor, and not getting pulses from the reed switch, so I shut down for safety reasons!

So, check your reed switch wiring between the motor and the Gbox.
Check the connections on the back of the Gbox.
Check you have the
correct wires at your motor

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As a last resort, you might open up your motor to see what's going on, but before that, explore the other options and post pictures!

[kelleyga]

Hi Dashaund, I am having a similar problem and I think what happened in my case. It may be the same for you, not sure. I will open a new post for mine but not sure if it is the same as you.

I got a 12 foot dish running with a VBox V and a Viewsat and Fortec receivers. Everything working for months. This is at my in-laws. Then by Father in-law decided he wanted to hide all wires and without asking me he disconnected the cables at the VBox. Got all cables thru a pipe and under ground. The problem is that when I installed it, there was only one color of cables for the motor-Vbox run. So I marked them and I told him not to touch them. Well he forgot and by getting the cables underground he had to add more because it was not reaching to the VBox as before. He ended up them not knowing which cables were the motor -,+ and which cables were the sensor -,+, so he started trying. Since then, the VBox can move the dish (after I helped him figure out which ones were the motor) but now the VBox will not display any numbers. So know I do not know where the satellite is at, 780, 840?? , etc. I need to count by ticks I am know how far one dish is from another but it is a pain. I can not store in memory either as the VBox does not have a clue of the ticks.
My assumption is that he connected the Motor cables into the Sensor and fried them at the motor, but I am not sure if that is possible. I read in the motor mannual that it could. Not sure if it is your case too.

[Anole]

Hooking motor power across the reed switch contacts would fry (evaporate!) them.
Similar to plugging a 3v flashlight bulb into the 110vac wall power. - poof! -

The good news is, a new reed would fix that problem.

[dashaund]

I believe I have it wired correctly: large red (+) and white (-) for the motor power, and the small green (+) and black (-) for the sensor, right? It's turning just doesn't count. I'd like to try and replace the reed switch. Where do I purchase replacements and where is it located? I'm a newbie at actuator so excuse my ignorance.

[Lak7]

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large red (+) and white (-) for the motor power, and the small green (+) and black (-) for the sensor, right?

That sounds right

It's turning just doesn't count.

That does not sound right. If the VBox does not "feel" the pulse from the Reed Switch, it will stop turning, and give error E-2.
Do you see any display on the VBox?

Where do I purchase replacements and where is it located?

Which motor do you have?
The Reed Switch is located at the motor, inside the cover, where the connections are made.
Skyvision.com is a good place to start.