Adding 2nd dish to motorized system

[meatballsub]

Hello all. I just found this forum and it seems like a great resource. I've done a few searchs but can't quite find what I think I need, so here goes.

Background:
I have a motorized 30" with linear lnbf and a coolsat 5000. I also have an old standard issue 18" directv dish with circular lnb that is not wired to anything. I'd like to use the 18" to get NASA TV. I don't want to run any more cable in the house, but I have a 22 kHz switch.

So my questions are:

1) Can I insert the 22kHz switch into the setup, and somehow get the coolsat to switch between the two satellites, even though my main system is motorized? (If the answer is no, then there is no need to continue reading).

2) Would if matter if the 22 KHz tone is on the circular or linear lnbf?

3) Is the correct setup as follows: receiver --> motor ---> switch :::> 2 lnbs?

4) I'm not great with the coolsat, how would I tell it where to go? Could I somehow just program in another satellite that would automatically turn on/off the tone?

Thanks for the help.

 

[brentb636]

Yes you can do this. The best configuration is #3 as you list, but I have a 22khz switch between my receiver and motor ( the switch is rated for motor current) .

4) in the Dish setting menu page, you turn the 22khz ON or OFF depending upon which lnbf you wish to address.

 

[Anole]

Switch FAQ

If you'll read the Switches Simplified FAQ, you can come up with your own answer.
Or, if you're in a hurry, skip down to post #5 for one way to get the job done.

If you put the switch between the motor and LNB, then either a diseqc or 22khz can work.
(The 4-input diseqc will give you more growth room in the future)
At least as long as both LNBs are Standard or Circular.
If you have a Universal LNB in the mix, that makes for complications (explained in the FAQ).

If you insist on putting a switch between the receiver and the motor, then good luck.
Many diseqc switches have trouble handling the load of the motor.
A 22khz (Ecoda) has been reported to work well in that application (but is not rated for the load)
The reason someone would choose such a configuration, is often due to dish placement or wiring.

 

[USDownlink]

I'll offer some personal experience - a 22kHz switch between the motor and LNBs did not work for me. The motor refused to move. For whatever reasons, using a 4x1 switch was necessary. (Which, as Anole suggests, was the best solution anyway. The additional ports have since been used.)

 

[Mr Tony]

If you are going to use the 22k switch best to put the 22k side to the 18" dish...then you only need to switch the settings for 1 sat versus all of them

 

[SatPhreak]

I have used an Ecoda 22kHz switch between the receiver and the motor and it worked fine. The 0kHz port went to the motor and the 22kHz port went to a fixed dish. It had more switches acually to get many dishes. This it how it was with all switches.

rec-> Ecoda 0kHz->motor->Diseqc1->motorized lnbf
| ->Diseqc2->fixed lnbf
| ->Diseqc3->fixed lnbf
| ->Diseqc4->not used
| ->Ecoda 22kHz->SW21port1->fixed lnbf
->SW21port2->fixed lnbf

 

[Mr Tony]

them ecoda switches are magical

 

[brentb636]

They work better than I ever expected !

 

[zamar23]

Instead of putting 2 antennas, is it possible to attach a second LNB to the first motorized one, using some kind of bracket? If the first LNB, for example, is Invacom QPH-031, and the second is Unjversal & Circular (of Square or L Type, or another type which is better in this situation), what kind of bracket and setup would be the best for a 30 or 33" antenna?

 

[Mr Tony]

Instead of putting 2 antennas, is it possible to attach a second LNB to the first motorized one, using some kind of bracket? If the first LNB, for example, is Invacom QPH-031, and the second is Unjversal & Circular (of Square or L Type, or another type which is better in this situation), what kind of bracket and setup would be the best for a 30 or 33" antenna?

sure you could do that. Right now I have a old DIrecTV dual LNB and a Sadoun dual KU attached together with a hose clamp. I use to have DBS, KU & a Universal on one dish too

pics of both

 

[Mr Tony]

my thread on the subject of DBS/Standard/Universal on one dish
http://www.satelliteguys.us/free-air-fta-discussion/115356-standard-universal-dbs-one-dish.html

 

[zamar23]

Thanks Iceberg! What setup is better from picture quality or other standpoints: two LNBs attached with the clamp (what clamp model?), or a Motorized Dish with one LNB plus a fixed dish with another LNB, connected via switch? What LNB form type is suited to clamp with Invacom QPH-031?

 

[Mr Tony]

depends on what you are trying to accomplish

If its KU & DBS the motorized works fine. The DBS sats are so strong even being 5 degrees off centre they still peg the meter.

If its KU Standard & Universal there are 2 sats that use the UNiversal and those are 58W & 45W
the one channel on 45W is really strong.
Cubavision on 58W is decent. Not the strongest when on an offset but works fine pretty much all the time (rain fade obviously it goes out)

The QPH is both circular & linear standard so that covers both. If you're trying to add a Universal try and get one that looks "boxish" like the Sadoun duals. Its easier when you have a bigger LNB then the smaller ones that dont have much room to clamp onto

as for the clamp its just a simple hose clamp you can buy at the hardware store for a couple bucks...here is a closeup of one

 

[zamar23]

What the top flat bracket is used for on your closeup - to keep all LNBs in line?

 

[Mr Tony]

the little metal piece? That is there mainly because the Primestar LNB's bolt to the dish. After market LNB's dont so I use a bracket from an old DirecPC dish that held the 2nd LNB on. It mainly is used to keep the main LNB from moving

 

[zamar23]

Is it possible to hose clamp this GT-SAT LNB with Invacom QPH-031 on a motorized 33" Dish to add some FTA channels? What the schematics would look like to connect both via SG-2100 Moteck Motor to a single Sonicview 360 Receiver with Chieta DiSEqC Switch? How to program the Receiver for the second LNB - any angle adjustments? Are any extra switches & amplifiers required for a 50 ft coax run, any possible issues with this setup? One installer said, you can't clamp a second LNB on a motorized dish, but no explanation.

 

[Mr Tony]

fixed the link

The QPH-031 is both a linear and circular LNB so unless you want to add a Universal for a few Atlantic sats you wouldn't need another LNB

 

[Babadem]

sure you could do that. Right now I have a old DIrecTV dual LNB and a Sadoun dual KU attached together with a hose clamp. I use to have DBS, KU & a Universal on one dish too

pics of both

Could you explain how you hooked up the DBS, KU & universal lnbs using a motor to the receiver? How close do the LNBs have to be to each other? What about the skews? Do they all have to be at 0°? This has me thinking...........Since I have a Linear dual LNB, Dual DBS and a Universal, I may chose to go that route, instead of buying an Invacom LNB. Would the signal from any of the LNBs suffer because of this setup?

 

[Anole]

The Standard or Universal should be at the focus point of the dish for best signal.
Anybody who needs both, didn't plan well.

But, the Circular can be beside the main LNB.
The circular satellites put out a lot of power, and are much further apart in the sky.
Their alignment is far less critical.
But to get 119° on the circular LNB, you'll still need to motor the main LNB over to 125° or 113° or whatever direction puts the circular LNB pretty much on the desired bird.

As for wiring, see the Switches Simplified FAQ.

Bonus: the circular LNB has no skew to be concerned with.

 

[Mr Tony]

Could you explain how you hooked up the DBS, KU 7 universal lnbs using a motor to the receiver? How close do the LNBs have to be to each other? What about the skews? Do they all have to be at 0°? This has me thinking...........Since I have a Linear dual LNB, Dual DBS and a Universal, I may chose to go that route, instead of buying an Invacom LNB. Would the signal from any of the LNBs suffer because of this setup?

easy setup

receiver----motor---diseqc switch---port 1 was KU
--------------------------------------------port 2 circular
--------------------------------------------port 3 Universal

doesnt matter how close they are. I put them next to each other
skew on mototrized is done via the motor so that is set at 0

DBS doesnt suffer because they are strong signals and on most DBS dishes the LNB"s are offset anyways. On a Dish500 the LNB's are 4.5 degrees off centre.

The only drawback is to set up DBS you need to compensate if you use USALS. The DBS LNB needs to have 5 degrees taken off of it. In the above to get say 110 DBS I actually aim the dish at 105.

The UNiversal I added 5-6 degrees. Its all trial and error honestly