KU LNB Cover Removal

[PopcornNMore]

This weekend I'll be working on a project that I have been wanting to work on now for over 5 years and that is turning 2 Directv dishes in wall sconces for our home theater.

I plan on painting the dishes black as well as the LNBs and then running lamp cord up the LNB arm and placing a 10w candelabra bulb and socket into the LNB housing. The light will then reflect into the dish illuminating the area.

Tonight I purchased the sockets, bulbs, lamp cords and black spray paint. I also removed the housings from each of the LNBs and removed the back metal cover plates. Tomorrow I'm going to remove the circuit board and "F" connectors and install the bulb and socket which fit perfectly and get the dishes painted. I'm going to take many pictures and will post this weekend.

My only problem is how does the plastic LNB cover get removed? I've tried turning and pushing with no success. I didn't want to pry with a screwdriver in fear of damaging the cover. Once the LNB housing is painted and the socket and bulb installed the cover will be put back into place.

 

[Magic Static]

Interesting project idea! I like the sound of it. Looking forward to the pictures

 

[PopcornNMore]

Since I couldn't wait until tomorrow I drilled out the LNB circuit board, but still can't remove the plastic cap. I wish C band LNB plastic caps stayed on this good.

 

[waylew]

The caps are pressed/snapped on so you pretty much have to pry them off.Should be able to snap them back on when you're ready.Maybe try a hair dryer to soften them up a bit first.

 

[jorgek]

Very ambitious and interesting project. I'm confused. Are you inserting the light bulb into the throat of the LNB?
Will that not totally block the signal from the sat?
I'm looking forward to the pictures.

Is the light are requirement for aircraft clearance? lol.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Jorgek, these dishes will be wall sconces which will be mounted to the side walls of our home theater.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Here are pictures from day 1 of this project. The hardest part was spending hours and I mean hours drilling the throat of the LNB, so that the socket can be securely mounted inside. After a few blisters and sore hands I finally got the socket to fit.

The screws securing the circuit board had to be drilled as well, because the tops of the screws were drilled after being manufactured.

Tomorrow I'm going to finish painting the dish and wire the light. I wish I could use a bulb rated more than 10w, but this was the highest rating I could find that would fit within the LNB housing.

Pictures:

 

[Pi314]

Maybe LED bulb?

 

[PopcornNMore]

Maybe LED bulb?

I saw a few on clearance at Lowes, but were still too expensive and a little too large to fit within the LNBF. I'll keep looking.

 

[mikelib]

PopCorn,

They make high wattage halogen bulbs with candelabra base.

http://www.bulbamerica.com/satco-s4...r:adType=pla&gclid=CKavz_L4w7cCFQyk4AodAV8AFw

 

[waylew]

Are you going to put the covers back on ?Even at 10 watts you're going to have an awful lot of heat in a small space.

 

[polgyver]

This weekend I'll be working on a project that I have been wanting to work on now for over 5 years and that is turning 2 Directv dishes in wall sconces for our home theater.

I plan on painting the dishes black as well as the LNBs and then running lamp cord up the LNB arm and placing a 10w candelabra bulb and socket into the LNB housing. The light will then reflect into the dish illuminating the area.

Tonight I purchased the sockets, bulbs, lamp cords and black spray paint. I also removed the housings from each of the LNBs and removed the back metal cover plates. Tomorrow I'm going to remove the circuit board and "F" connectors and install the bulb and socket which fit perfectly and get the dishes painted. I'm going to take many pictures and will post this weekend.

My only problem is how does the plastic LNB cover get removed? I've tried turning and pushing with no success. I didn't want to pry with a screwdriver in fear of damaging the cover. Once the LNB housing is painted and the socket and bulb installed the cover will be put back into place.

I just wonder if painting the dishes black will yield any reflection of light... another thing, why bother with LNB front cover? It is not transparent, and it will obscure light from bulbs installed inside LNB

 

[polgyver]

Jorgek, these dishes will be wall sconces which will be mounted to the side walls of our home theater.

Seems you need light beams which have parallel rays, originated from dishes' surfaces. Do you plan to adjust them to cone-shaped light beams, by moving the LNB's from the dishes?

 

[PopcornNMore]

Are you going to put the covers back on ?Even at 10 watts you're going to have an awful lot of heat in a small space.

You have a good point. Yes, I did intend to put the cover back on.

 

[PopcornNMore]

I just wonder if painting the dishes black will yield any reflection of light... another thing, why bother with LNB front cover? It is not transparent, and it will obscure light from bulbs installed inside LNB

I'll try it with the cover off and on to see the difference.

 

[Jim S.]

Maybe you could cut out the front of the cover and snap the side ring back on, so it gives the appearance of the covers being in place.

 

[SatelliteAV]

Maybe paint the inside of the feedhorn and scalar white to soften the reflected light. I also would advise against sealing with the cap.

 

[Anole]

From a different point of view

I'm missing the whole point of lighting equipment painted black, however...

At Harbor Freight, they have a $1 or $2 9-LED flashlight.
(free promotion with any purchase, sometimes)
The head of that light could probably be stuffed into the open end of the feedhorn.
And if not this one, then maybe some other LED flashlight from the 99-cent store.
The light output is tremendous, directional, low voltage, and dimmable.
These are normally powered by three AAA batteries (4.5 volts DC) , but any spare 6 - 12 volt wall wart and a dropping resistor could set your prefered brightness level.
No real problem with heat generation, and no dangerous 110 vac on your dish.

Was the face of the dish to be black or gray?

 

[PopcornNMore]

Day 2 I just about finished the project. I just need to apply a second coat of paint to the front of the reflector and determine a way to keep the plastic cap on and at the same time make sure it doesn't overheat. Perhaps drilling a hole at the bottom of the cap.

The dish sconce has been installed temporary just to take pictures. I believe I'm going to install them at the back of the theater above the seats and have them turn on with the step lights on the riser providing additional soft lighting just so people can move in the dark to find their seats.

Even if they don't provide enough light they still make a good conversation piece and the project was fun and kept me out of trouble.


Pictures:

 

[mikelib]

I wonder if a laser pointer place where the LNB is; would reflect dots of red light off of the dish and into the darken room.