GBox V3000 new reviews

[Sadoun]

Hi,

The Sadoun PowerTech GBox V3000 positioner is currently in stock and shipping.
Sadoun Powertech GBOX V3000 Positioner DiSEqC 1.2 Compatible

Any new updates from users? I would like to hear your comments and experience with this positioner.

 

[stogie5150]

Sure thing. Just got one a week or so ago.

I got tired of my 30 year old standalone positioner, and wanted something remote controlled, at least...LOL...after numerous consultations with folks I trust, they ALL told me one word: Gbox. Do not pass go, do not collect 200.00. Gbox.

I have a 12' Paraclipse with a horizon-to-horizon mount, and I only have a 4-magnet wheel on it, so I was concerned about accuracy. I shouldn't have been. The Gbox has been hitting the sat every time, no muss no fuss. Even the Ku sats, no problem. I was surprised because the dish is so big, and has so much 'bounce' just because of its sheer size. The Gbox ate that up, and asked for more. :up

Setup was easy too, there are satellite names in it already, so when you save it you have a name to go with it pre-programmed, or you can ENTER your own name, that's for guys like me that HAVE to have our sats named correctly, all the time, and the satellite owners seem to take delight in changing the names as often as possible. That's the only thing so far I'd like to see changed. I'd like to see ALL the satellite names be edit-able, not just the 30 that are now. Because some of us cannot see the sats over East, and it'd be nice to be able to rename and re-purpose those, but that's a minor gripe.
I don't use mine in conjunction with my FTA receiver, just as a standalone positioner, because I use both of my boxes so much I know I'd never be on the box I need to be on to move the dish, but I have heard from folks that do do it that way, and its excellent that way too.

Rarely in the FTA world does something work as advertised. So far, this does. Some, including me, have wanted one with a polorotor control, so you can use an old style co-rotor with your system, but after switching to voltage-controlled LNB's, I no longer need that function...so the Gbox is fine just like it is.

So far so good...GBOX works! :up

Thanks to Sadoun for being a Satelliteguys GOLD sponsor, and for selling a great product at a reasonable price!

Now, Mr. Sadoun, where's that DVB-S2 Blindscanner HD FTA box we have been begging for?

 

[starman345]

I"ve had my Gbox 3000 for almost a year now, use it everyday and not one problem. It is accurate, does not overrun or underrun satellite positions as I've heard some of the others do. I have 45 positions setup and with 99 available, lots of room for more. I too would like to be able to edit all the names....the first 30 or so are hardcoded. With satellites changing names regularly, the ability to edit any of them would be nice.
This box works with any device that can send a diseqc1.2 command and that means it works fine with dvb cards as well as fta receivers. I use it daily with my Dvbworld card and Dvbviewer, although it would work with any dvb software that is diseqc1.2 capable. Works great with my Coolsat 5000 as well.
The Gbox was a great investment for me, I used to use an old analog receiver to move the dish, then tune with the fta device, the Gbox makes all that seamless now, and with my Ck/1 voltage controlled lnbf, no need for separate polarity control. Its got so I now use my C band system more than my 36cm ku which is a complete reversal of before I had the Gbox.
I give it...:up:up:up

 

[N6BY]

I ordered a GBox V3000 in December from Sadoun and my order was delayed 30 days before I finally got it. I was told 'it will be here next week' for three weeks in a row. My motorized BUD project sat idle for a month.

Anyway, I finally got it and the GBox V3000 works well and the positioning is repeatable. But there are two problems:

1) The plastic battery cover on the back of the remote control broke off on mine. Its cheaply constructed.

2) The 4 wire receptacles on the back of the GBox are fine for the thin 18 gauge wire for the sensor wires. But they don't hold the 14 gauge motor wire very well. The springs are very small and not sufficient for the job. How do I know the springs are small? Because they have popped out a few times and I saw how small and weak they are. I was VERY lucky that I was able to find them on the carpet and put them back in. I had to resort to taping the 14 gauge wires to secure them in the holders.

So in summary, other than the long order delay from Sadoun and the above two problems, I'm OK with the GBox V3000.

Brett

 

[GrumpyGuy]

I need to power a 12 foot Orbitron with a ballscrew actuator, but have shyed away from the V3000 because of the maximum 3 meter dish size cited in the specifications. Now I see Stogie is pushing around a 12 foot Paraclipse with an H-H mount, and not blowing fuses or otherwise "letting the smoke out" of his V3000.

Does anyone else have experience moving larger/heavier dishes with a V3000?

Is a schematic diagram available?

Can anyone who has poked around inside a V3000 offer any insights as to what may be the weakest link in the power supply? - perhaps something as simple as replacing the stock bridge with something more robust, or adding a heat sink would add a margin of safety.

The V3000 specs indicate an output of 36VDC @ 3A, but total power consumption is rated at 90W. This doesn't quite add up, so I have to assume that output voltage sags well below 30V at full load.

Worst case, I know I can use a V3000 to control a homebrew external power supply and relay box, but my project list is getting a wee bit overpopulated these days.

 

[Lak7]

Now, Mr. Sadoun, where's that DVB-S2 Blindscanner HD FTA box we have been begging for?

Don't forget 4:2:2 !

 

[N6BY]

Is a schematic diagram available?

Can anyone who has poked around inside a V3000 offer any insights as to what may be the weakest link in the power supply? - perhaps something as simple as replacing the stock bridge with something more robust, or adding a heat sink would add a margin of safety.

I'm not sure this info will help you decide, but the GBox V3000 is heavy and has a large coil. (I know because I had to open mine when the spring for the wire retainer came off).

I don't think heat would be an issue because its only outputing motor power for relatively short periods of time. So theres plenty of time to cool off between movements.

Two questions:
1) How many amps does your motor draw?
2) Do you want me to send you a photo of the box with the cover off?

Brett

 

[Anole]

non-review, but sold anyway:

I can't review mine yet. It hasn't arrived.

Back when Linuxman was first working with his, I consulted on the project and was very impressed with the capabilities!
So, when it came time to buy mine, I ordered a Gbox 3000. - :up
That was yesterday.

It's already a proven performer on the very dish/motor I'm using, so I expect no troubles.
The only concern I have, is how many I will be wanting as the BUD farm grows . . .

 

[GrumpyGuy]

1) How many amps does your motor draw?

With no snow and or wind load:

1.7A is the highest sustained current
8.0A peak surge, from a dead stop, just off the mechanical limits

Output from the Drake 1524 varies from 30V-33V under load

2) Do you want me to send you a photo of the box with the cover off?Brett

That would be great!

Does anybody know if V3000 output switching is solid state, or does it use mechanical relays?

 

[N6BY]

As promised, I have attached photos of the inside of my GBox V3000.

The first thing I noticed was that the transformer outputs 32V AC at 1.3 amps (1300 mA) for the motor and 12V AC at 250 mA for powering the display and controller circuit. As you would expect, the transformer outputs connect to rectifier bridges. From there it looks like a voltage regulator and some capacitors to get steady DC.

As for your question about the output switching -- it has a pair of relays shown in the lower right corner of the side view (not solid state switching). I can hear them click when I move my dish.

Not shown in the photo, but the back of the box has a label that says '80W max'.

I hope this info helps your purchase decision.

Here are the photos:

Side view showing transformer output

Top view

 

[phlatwound]

Nice pics, brettbolt.

I can't review mine yet, just got it recently, but I can say that I won it on Ebay, got a delivery info email within 24 hours of auction end, and it was delivered to my shack in the woods 3 days later. Thanks, Sadoun! :up

 

[1captain]

I have bought a few of the G-boxs now an have to say that they are a lot more accureated than the V-boxII that I have used before getting my 1st order in of Jan 08 3 of them back then, an have not had a problem at all. then order more back in june of 08 also great product.

1 is on 10 1/2 foot Mirco Dine very heavy dish well over 450lbs, 1 on 10 foot SMC Channel Master also a very heavy dish, have 2 on 10-foot channel Master mess dish, another 1 on a 12-foot Cosmo. an every 1 works flawless to the T. they drive big dishes great.

now on my last order that came in back in Dec-08, seems that quality control is missing some things or they where just in a hurry to get them back in stock. had 2 come in on that order. an at first thought that Sadoun sent me some return G-boxs, all of the previous 1s when you power them up displayed 000 on the face, but these displayed numbers like 176 an had locations program in them. but both work just find execpt 1 of the buttons doen't work on 1 of the boxs, an on both it seem that the transformer was never screwed down, because you can hear if you move the box, heavy clunking inside the G-box, an both are that way, now i have looked at the case an tryed pop the cover to fix it but don't want to crack the case. so just sold the customer mine an kept the clunkers for me.

an have to agree with Brettbolt on the terminal strip where you're actuator wires go very chincey, an strip will move on you when you are installing the wires into their clips, almost should be case mounted, or locked into back of the case, an a better grade strip to not hinder larger wires going in.

now on another note, "counts" the G-box will count over 2000 counts from center, an will be right on that satellite also. now this is 1 thing that I was worryed about, when I just finished up a 1.2 meter offset ku-dish on a old horizon to horizon mount, an it orginaly had a 10k pot for counting ohms back to the receiver. an built a gear reduction driving a home made 22 magnet wheel, driven off the worm drive. an from center (a due south satellite) to the east over +2200 counts, an back to center to west -2200 counts. an it counts a high count flawless, you can not even see the last digit on the G-box when it is moving, just a blurr cause its counting so fast. now it is still on my testing pole, an can only view from telstar-12 to galaxy-18 at that location, but have been running it for over a month an G-box is working it fine.

now I have read treads where people have had problems with their G-boxs, not counting, going DOA after moving a dish for a wile, but they also would say that their old c-band worked it great. (I have "NEVER" ran into any such problem like that yet) but a lot of you're older receiver where more forgiving, an also will have breakers or fuses for acuator amp draw. but would have to ask them if they had to reprogram their satellite back in in a year or so.

Now on a Tech side.
what tends to happen with older motors when parts that get worned or not greased on a regular basics, their amp draw will go up, an it will reach a point where it is too much for what ever is suppling its voltage, had this problem with a customer with a 920 back in the 90's an didn't want to spend the extra $ for a new actuator. but he did 2 months latter when he burn both relays out in the 920. now actuators or H to H motors will draw 1 to 2 or little over amps on start up, an should run any where from 1/2amp to 1.5amp on running, now this will vary if it is pushing or pulling a dish. but I have seen old actuators or H to H motors that need to be replaced go as high as 8amp on start up, an run a 4 to 5amp this is sure death for any receiver or motor controler over time. that is why a simple maintence on you're system an check up from time to time will save you $ in the long run.

but I do have to say that they work very well, an the Powertech G-box V3000 is a nice product. it will let you take a mpeg receiver hook it up to a C & ku-band dish an let that mpeg receiver have total control of what it is hook to. an my wife loves me more for having the G-box, she has gotten lost so maney times before changing satellites along with polarity, to where she did not use the mpeg receiver but now she does, an can work it very well.

Thank You for a nice product, an hope this helps so you can make the G-box better.

 

[GrumpyGuy]

Thanks for lifting the hood and taking those photos, Brettbolt! They are very informative.

I can see the power supply and switching is a straightforward design using discrete non-proprietary components, and will be easy to modify/repair. I also see that the manufacturer's specifications are ... uh ... optimistic.

The V3000 looks like a good value, and I am going to buy one, experiment, modify, void the warranty, and have some fun!

 

[Anole]

Has anyone tried using a V3000 in a 2-motor setup? (One DiSEqC receiver controlling both a V3000 + a USALS motor) What kind of switching scheme are you using?

I offered some thoughts on that subject to Kirara386 in her BUD thread last month.
I suspect the failure was a setup error, though she seems quite adept.

May I suggest you open a new thread dedicated to the subject.?.
That way the question will get maximum attention instead of being buried.

 

[GrumpyGuy]

I offered some thoughts on that subject to Kirara386 in her BUD thread.

May I suggest you open a new thread dedicated to the subject.?

Good idea.

New thread - gbox two-motor one-receiver system

 

[N6BY]

Thanks for lifting the hood and taking those photos, Brettbolt! They are very informative.

You're welcome. I had to take it apart anyway because of problems with the wire retainer clips and springs.

... I also see that the manufacturer's specifications are ... uh ... optimistic.

Yes, 'optimistic' indeed. Miraculously a 1.3 amp transformer, as shown on the inside label jumps to 3 amps on Sadoun's specifications page. Oh well, it provides enough power for my new motor.

The V3000 looks like a good value, and I am going to buy one, experiment, modify, void the warranty, and have some fun!

Assuming you want a beefier power supply you could solder wires to the circuit board where it feeds into the 12V side of the relays. Then disconnect the existing relays and run wires outside the box to some heavy duty relays and a 10 amp / 36V power supply.

The nice thing about running relay control wires outside the box is that you could experiment without jeopardizing the control circuitry inside the GBox. Plus it would be easy to restore to factory condition.

 

[vc2]

Question for Sadoun

Hi,

The Sadoun PowerTech GBox V3000 positioner is currently in stock and shipping.
Sadoun Powertech GBOX V3000 Positioner DiSEqC 1.2 Compatible

Any new updates from users? I would like to hear your comments and experience with this positioner.

The Gbox V3000 positioner is advertised as having:

"60 Pre-stored Satellite Names & 30 Free Names at User's Choice"

I downloaded the users manual and noticed that many of the pre-stored names were out of date and no longer valid. In a few years, the same will be true for the remaining pre-stored names.

Question 1 - Can the pre-stored names be erased and renamed? If not, do you plan on providing firmware updates to keep the Pre-stored name list up to date?

Question 2 - Is the firmware up-datable? What is the procedure?

Comment - I'd like to see a version of this positioner that is fully programmable allowing all 90 satellite names to be user defined. I'd also like to see a 25 character display instead of 6 characters. This would allow the full satellite name and orbit position to be displayed.

 

[N6BY]

Question 2 - Is the firmware up-datable? What is the procedure?

There is no serial or USB port on the GBox V3000 (so no way to transfer a firmware update that I know of). So I think we are stuck with the old satellite names. But I hope I am wrong.

The manufacturer's website is Powertech - Home You might want to send your questions directly to them.

 

[Lak7]

Got mine today, thanks Sadoun
Ordered Sunday night, received it Tues.
Swapped out the VBox V with the GBox, reprogrammed Sat positions, and all is good
First thing I noticed is that is picks-up twices as many pulses vs. the VBox V.
Again, it's only been a couple hours, but all is well.