5LNB: fascia mount vs. pole

[mloiterman]

Last Thursday, I was supposed to have my Phase III upgraded to the 5LNB.

My existing dish is mounted to the fascia of my home. It has been this way since 2004 and I have had 0 problems. It's nice, clean, out of the way, and unobtrusive.

Pictures:
(Pictures Removed, was causing error for members)

When the installer arrived, he took one look at it and said he need to reschedule as he did not bring a 40' ladder for a roof install, did not have the materials for a pole install and would not install on the fascia per DirecTV instructions.

According to him, the added weight of the 5 LNB dish has "ripped" the siding off of other peoples homes in strong winds. I don't doubt that, but I also know (the guy behind me has the 5LNB mounted to the side of his house) that some people have it mounted there with no problems. My neighbor replaced the mounting bracket with the special 5LNB one and just attached the top of the bracket to the fascia leaving the bottom two holes unattached. I was thinking of doing the same. Does that sound right?

I recognize that the 5LNB is substantially larger and heavier, but this doesn't seem right. I have downloaded the 5LNB manual and it clearly shows the dish mounted to the side of a house. Maybe this is in reference to mounting on brick? My house, as the pictures show is all vinyl.

This is my preferred method - roof mount is out; I don't need any leaks or problems from damaged shingles, I'm reluctant to let these clowns install a pole in my yard; will they dig down deep enough, will the concrete have time to set, what about drainage and heaving?

My question: given the size and weight of the new dish, and the materials of my house, I recognize that a pole mount is the preferred method of install. But, if the install is done properly, wouldn't a fascia mount with the bracing arms be just as good?

If you guys advise a pole mount, I'll happily pay them to do one, but I want to be sure before I go down that path.

They're coming back out tomorrow between 8AM and 12:00PM, so I need to know if I should argue for a fascia mount or accept the pole mount.

 

[Brewer4]

Yes. They are taught not to install on the sides of the house due to weight and size and the side material of a house. Its a tripod and needs to be pole, deck or roof mounted. Go with a pole if you dont want anyone on roof.

 

[jdspencer]

I think your biggest problem may be that the base for the 5LNB is larger and may not fit on the fascia board. How secure is the fascia compared to the siding. You might be able to remove part of the siding and attach a larger board directly to the wall studs.

 

[harshness]

Given that most (if not all) of your outer wall is cosmetic, installing there isn't a good idea. Running monopoles into vinyl siding is suicide.

If you saw the two dishes side-by-side, it would become abundantly clear.

 

[mloiterman]

OK, I guess I'll go with the pole.

So, I guess I need to go with a 3' hole, 2 80 lbs bags of Quickcrete.

Three questions:

1. If they dig the hole and pour the concrete, can they mount the dish the same day?
2. Do I need to worry about drainage? I live in IL, the ground is ALL clay and rocks.
3. I have a 2" diameter fence pole made of galvanized steele. Don't know if it is sch. 40 or not. It was about 12 bucks at home depot. There was a heavier one for about 40, but they guy helping me was convinced that I didn't need it. I think he was offended that I wanted to spend that much on a pole for a sat. dish.

 

[iwc5893]

OK, I guess I'll go with the pole.

So, I guess I need to go with a 3' hole, 2 80 lbs bags of Quickcrete.

Three questions:

1. If they dig the hole and pour the concrete, can they mount the dish the same day?
2. Do I need to worry about drainage? I live in IL, the ground is ALL clay and rocks.
3. I have a 2" diameter fence pole made of galvanized steele. Don't know if it is sch. 40 or not. It was about 12 bucks at home depot. There was a heavier one for about 40, but they guy helping me was convinced that I didn't need it. I think he was offended that I wanted to spend that much on a pole for a sat. dish.

1) Yes, they can. The concrete usually sets enough to work with in an hour or so.

2) Nope, unless you think it will be an issue.

3) Galvanized fence pole is what we use around here, and it works just fine (provided it is buried deep enough)

As far as mounting to the side of your house goes, it is generally not a problem provided the dish is mounted into a stud. Some companies (like mine) have policies prohibiting the mounting of any dish to vinyl or aluminum siding because it generates a large number of damage claims against the company.

 

[Jimbo]

OK, I guess I'll go with the pole.

So, I guess I need to go with a 3' hole, 2 80 lbs bags of Quickcrete.

Three questions:

1. If they dig the hole and pour the concrete, can they mount the dish the same day?
2. Do I need to worry about drainage? I live in IL, the ground is ALL clay and rocks.
3. I have a 2" diameter fence pole made of galvanized steele. Don't know if it is sch. 40 or not. It was about 12 bucks at home depot. There was a heavier one for about 40, but they guy helping me was convinced that I didn't need it. I think he was offended that I wanted to spend that much on a pole for a sat. dish.

DO NOT put it on the fascia, it's not strong enough for the set up.

You COULD do this yourself and do it the way you want.
The $ 10 pole at Home Depot I would not use, as I doubt that it is sch. 40, probably sch. 20, I would reccomend 40.
You only need 1 bag of concrete, at least I did, I wnt 30" deep with Galvinized sch 40 from a fence company...
I also went 16' high !!!
Drill a hole in the bottom of the pole and place a bolt or something like that thru it, this will keep it from ever turning.
I let my concrete dry 18-24 hours, but I had the time to do that, normally Quickcrete drys very quickly.

btw, chances are that the one at Home depot was not 2" either, normally they handle the 1 5/8's and the 2 3/8th I think was the bigger size either way neither is the size you need.

You could also do it on the side of your house if you can find the proper studs to mount it, you may want to make a backboard for it going across 2 studs.

I would rec. a pole mount.

Jimbo

 

[thomas_d92]

I just had my install yesterday and the slimeline dish was installed using a u shaped pole that bolts into my roofing beams that extend out over the edge of the house. The mount bolts not on the facia but under the over hang onto a roof truss. I thought this was a neat idea . Buy mounting the dish this way there are no holes made in the roof and no need for a pole into the ground.

 

[raoul5788]

I just had my install yesterday and the slimeline dish was installed using a u shaped pole that bolts into my roofing beams that extend out over the edge of the house. The mount bolts not on the facia but under the over hang onto a roof truss. I thought this was a neat idea . Buy mounting the dish this way there are no holes made in the roof and no need for a pole into the ground.

Can you post a picture of your install?

 

[thomas_d92]

I do not have a camera so I cannot post a picture. The installer told me it is a standard piece of equipment that is an option instead of the regular shaft.

 

[thomas_d92]

J-mount

Hey raoul5788 I found a website that sell the mount my installer used to mount my slime line 5 lnb dish. Check it out here: http://www.eave-mounts.com/ This was easy to install. I watched him do it . He lag bolted it to my eave beam. Put one bolt in then plum the pole and add two more bolts.

 

[Jimbo]

Hey raoul5788 I found a website that sell the mount my installer used to mount my slime line 5 lnb dish. Check it out here: http://www.eave-mounts.com/ This was easy to install. I watched him do it . He lag bolted it to my eave beam. Put one bolt in then plum the pole and add two more bolts.

There doesn't look like there are any adjustments on this set up for plumbing the unit, I guess I would need to see it in place, in order to get the real idea.
When you mount the plate to the soffit, soffits are on an angle therefore you would need to have some sort of an adjustment to go with it.

Jimbo

 

[raoul5788]

There doesn't look like there are any adjustments on this set up for plumbing the unit, I guess I would need to see it in place, in order to get the real idea.
When you mount the plate to the soffit, soffits are on an angle therefore you would need to have some sort of an adjustment to go with it.

Jimbo

I'm not sure what you mean by soffits are on an angle. A soffit is the (usually) flat underside of the eave. Sometimes they are angled like the roof, but generally the lookouts form the framing for the soffit.

 

[raoul5788]

Hey raoul5788 I found a website that sell the mount my installer used to mount my slime line 5 lnb dish. Check it out here: http://www.eave-mounts.com/ This was easy to install. I watched him do it . He lag bolted it to my eave beam. Put one bolt in then plum the pole and add two more bolts.

Do you mean he bolted it to the roof rafter that extends beyond the exterior wall? If so, I hope it is strong enough. The end of the rafter may not be stable enough to keep from skewing under the weight of the dish.

 

[Jimbo]

I'm not sure what you mean by soffits are on an angle. A soffit is the (usually) flat underside of the eave. Sometimes they are angled like the roof, but generally the lookouts form the framing for the soffit.

You are right, my mistake, I was thinking of the correct part, just thinking wrong .... regardless you have no way to make adjustments to make the mast level and plumb. At least the way I am looking at it.

Jimbo

 

[thomas_d92]

You put one bolt in the plate and tighten, then you can move the shaft till you get it plum then you add the other two lag bolts to hold it in the plum position.

 

[raoul5788]

You put one bolt in the plate and tighten, then you can move the shaft till you get it plum then you add the other two lag bolts to hold it in the plum position.

That only works in one plane. What if the other plane isn't plumb to begin with?

 

[ShiningBengal]

DO NOT put it on the fascia, it's not strong enough for the set up.

You COULD do this yourself and do it the way you want.
The $ 10 pole at Home Depot I would not use, as I doubt that it is sch. 40, probably sch. 20, I would reccomend 40.
You only need 1 bag of concrete, at least I did, I wnt 30" deep with Galvinized sch 40 from a fence company...
I also went 16' high !!!
Drill a hole in the bottom of the pole and place a bolt or something like that thru it, this will keep it from ever turning.
I let my concrete dry 18-24 hours, but I had the time to do that, normally Quickcrete drys very quickly.

btw, chances are that the one at Home depot was not 2" either, normally they handle the 1 5/8's and the 2 3/8th I think was the bigger size either way neither is the size you need.

You could also do it on the side of your house if you can find the proper studs to mount it, you may want to make a backboard for it going across 2 studs.

I would rec. a pole mount.

Jimbo

I used a 6 x 6 (actual measure is 5-1/2 x 5-1/2) pressure treated wood beam. It is sunk 4' into the ground to avoid frost heave problems in the winter. Rock solid and can use the "foot" on the J-pole dish mount to sink lag bolts right into the beam. It will take a bulldozer to move that baby!

 

[raoul5788]

I used a 6 x 6 (actual measure is 5-1/2 x 5-1/2) pressure treated wood beam. It is sunk 4' into the ground to avoid frost heave problems in the winter. Rock solid and can use the "foot" on the J-pole dish mount to sink lag bolts right into the beam. It will take a bulldozer to move that baby!

Eventually even a 6x6 will twist. A pole will not.

 

[JerryVolunteer]

When buying a pole can you tell me what the width of the pole needs to be for the slimline dish to slide on it. Thanks for your help.