4 dishes and 2 receivers what switch?

[laseradam]

I watch 4 satellites all with fixed dishes. One dish (AMC4 22khz on and Galaxy 25 22khz off ) has 2 lnbs with a 22khz switch. The other 2 dishes have their own coax. If I want to add a second receiver what switch do I need?

Or if that is not possible to watch all 4 on the second receiver. I would like to watch RTN and Galaxy 25 on the second receiver. All my LNBs are single output.

If all else fails can I watch one dish with the second receiver with a simple splitter?

 

[Anole]

Hooking up the 1st receiver to four LNBs is easy.
There are several ideas in the beginning of the Switches Simplified FAQ.
For instance, the 4-input diseqc switch would do it.
Look over posts #2, #7, and #9, but read all of the first nine posts for better understanding.

But, if you don't change all LNBs to dual output, or to bandstacked, and add the appropriate multiswitch, you'll have to come up with some half- ... way, solution.
Some of which are quite restrictive.
Like hooking the 2nd receiver to the "loop out" of the first.
The limitation there, would be that the #2 receiver could only get the satellite and polarity of the 1st receiver.

Another idea might be to use dual output LNBs on some (maybe the new) dishes...?
Then both the #1 and #2 receivers would use 4-input diseqc switches to their respective dual-output LNB terminals.
That would limit you to two receivers max, but would remove the multiswitches.

edit: from your signature, it sounds like you actually have five LNBs you need to connect to...?

 

[laseradam]

I really don't use the c-band and the dish300 is gone now.

Could I use two splitters and a 22khz switch to switch between 2 dishes?

One of the dishes ( the primestar) I just use one polarity.

 

[Anole]

Each LNB needs power, and depending on the voltage, it switches between V and H polarity.
(13 volts = Vertical; 18 volts = Horizontal)
So, there's not really a splitter sort of a solution available.

Bandstacked LNBs carry both the V and H polarity signals down the one cable simultaneously.
Those could be split with a satellite grade splitter.

In our review section, there's an old discussion of dual-output Megasat LNBs.
Don't know if they are available any more, but I've seen a similar product with the Coolsat brand on 'em.
Also, Sadoun carries his own brand of dual output LNBs, which have been highly regarded by users.
Get Standard, not Universal.
If you want a solution that works, you're going to have to spend money.
May as well spend some on proper LNBs.

Example Solution :
Let's say you have two dual-output LNBs.
Connect those to a 4x4 Multiswitch.
The other two dishes have single output LNBs.

For receiver two, connect the input to one of the multiswitch outputs, and it can select those two LNBs.

For receiver one, place a 4-input diseqc switch on the receiver input.
- Connect diseqc input #1 to spare LNB/dish A
- Connect diseqc input #2 to spare LNB/dish B
- Connect diseqc input #3 to an output of your multiswitch to get those two birds
- Connect diseqc input #4 to your C-band LNB -

Simple Solution:
Let's say you have two dual-output LNBs.
The other two dishes have single output LNBs.

For receiver two, place a 4-input diseqc switch on the receiver input.
- connect input #1 to output of dual LNB A
- connect input #2 to output of dual LNB B

For receiver one, place a 4-input diseqc switch on the receiver input.
- connect input #1 to output of dual LNB A
- connect input #2 to output of dual LNB B
- connect input #3 to output of single LNB C
- connect input #4 to output of single LNB D

 

[Mr Tony]

Could I use two splitters and a 22khz switch to switch between 2 dishes?

as long as you dont try to have 2 receivers try and get opposite polarities you will be fine.

One of the dishes ( the primestar) I just use one polarity.

yes a splitter would be fine. make sure its high frequency (up to 2000mhz or higher)


Sure the bandstacked idea would be fine but if you are like me and have a few boxes but only me in the house why get bandstacked LNB's or duals? Just split the line and remember not to have them clash polarities. And if they do, whatever reciever had it first gets it.

Been doing that (single LNB to a splitter) for a few months now and have no issues

 

[Mr Tony]

Each LNB needs power, and depending on the voltage, it switches between V and H polarity.
(13 volts = Vertical; 18 volts = Horizontal)
So, there's not really a splitter sort of a solution available.

actually using a splitter works fine as long as both boxes arent trying to get opposite polarity at same time

example....on my 99W C-band LNB I split it to 3 boxes...Visionsat in comp room, Quali in main room and Viacast in basement...only the Q would use the vertical side (for ABC HD)...so when I'm in the comp room I can view the channels on the H side (networks, My Network, World Harvest) on the Visionsat. When that box is off I can watch ABC HD in the living room on the Q.

Havent had an issue yet

 

[Anole]

as long as you dont try to have 2 receivers try and get opposite polarities you will be fine.

...Just split the line and remember not to have them clash polarities. And if they do, whatever reciever had it first gets it.

Been doing that (single LNB to a splitter) for a few months now and have no issues

Sorry to disagree, but that's an accident waiting to happen.

There are all sorts of splitters, and if the OP doesn't get diode-isolated ones, and turns on both receivers at the same time, that will connect the two receivers together.
If one is commanding 13 volts Vertical and the other 18 volts Horizontal, there's not telling what would happen to the receivers.

Also, even with the diode-isolated splitters, if one receiver commands a Horizontal transponder, the other receiver will get Horizontal as well, regardless of what it requested.

edit: I was typing this while Iceberg was posting #6
I can see where it works in your very controlled environment, but it's not a good general solution.

 

[Mr Tony]

nah. he should be fine

If he turns on both receivers whichever one grabbed the LNB first gets priority (been there tried that)

Unless he needs both receivers on at the same time on opposite polarities, he should be fine

 

[Anole]

up to you

I also change light fixtures and dimmers in my home without turning off the breakers.
But I don't recommend the procedure to others.
Even -with- caveats like: I keep one hand in my pocket at all times.

 

[laseradam]

How about splitting the primestar that has seperate H & V connections on the LNB. It is aimed at RTN . Everything on that sattelite is only on one polarity any way and I only have that polarity hooked up

 

[Mr Tony]

yep that would be fine. Just use the V side and add the splitter

 

[Cadsulfide]

I watch 4 satellites all with fixed dishes. One dish (AMC4 22khz on and Galaxy 25 22khz off ) has 2 lnbs with a 22khz switch. The other 2 dishes have their own coax. If I want to add a second receiver what switch do I need?

Or if that is not possible to watch all 4 on the second receiver. I would like to watch RTN and Galaxy 25 on the second receiver. All my LNBs are single output.

If all else fails can I watch one dish with the second receiver with a simple splitter?

What I have done to keep things simple is to use a digital rf modulator on my other recievers to say ch24 or 36 and then every tv in the house can get what's on that reciever. Use a 8 way splitter as a cheap channel combiner. Easy to add ota antenna to the mix. I have three birds each on two recievers (all fixed dishes) one for C Band (moveable), and nasa and white springs on dedicated recievers. Add a couple of powermid remote extenders and you can stack all the equipment out of sight of the wife.