Power insertion for DP34

[ZandarKoad]

Is there a method for inserting power into a DP34? The only reason you'd need to do this is when you've got 2 or 3 DP34s chained together for a Multi Dwelling Unit. If the first DP34 in the chain looses power (due to customer unplugging their reciever) the second DP34 will fail to operate as well. So what I'm looking for is a device similar to the power inserter used for the DP44. But... cheaper?

 

[webbydude]

The only "method" that comes to mind is to use an old/deactivated DP receiver....like a 301...and tie that baby in to your 1st DP34. You figure a used 301/311 can be had at a garage sale for less than $40.

 

[AntAltMike]

What I have done is, I use ordinary, industry-standard 18 volt power inserters to power the LNBs, and then connect each DP34 to a multiport splitter, so there is no interdependence between the units. I service an 18 receiver system in which each LNB goes into an 8-way high frequency splitter, and from there, they support five DP34s. It made all my headaches go away.

I think that the "through amplifiers" in each DP34 are powered by voltage from the next DP34 in a cascade, so when the ports on one DP 34 are inoperative, you can't tell whether it is because that DP34 isn't sourcing voltage to the upstream amplifier, or it the upstream amplifier is not working properly. I avoid that dependency with the splitters.

 

[ZandarKoad]

Its starting to make sense

So what your saying is that if I can power each LNB with a power supplier I won't need to power the DP34s? Or do I really need to use those high frequency splitters?

My setup is such that the DP34s are not in the same service box. There is one junction box for each flooer (3 floors). I would have to run extra cable if I used the three 8 way splitters at the first box... But perhaps if I used three two way splitters at the first and second box, it would have the same linking effect and still remove the interdependency between the DP34s.... Ooooh, I think It's starting to make sense.

Right now I'm using a DPTwin (110, 119) and a DPDual (129). The only thing I would need to do is replace the DPTwin with two DPDuals so that I can split their signals. ... correct?

Oh, and when you say high frequency, is 5-2300MHz high enough?

 

[webbydude]

I wonder how much these power supplies cost?

LOL...still like my redneck idea of using non-activated 301's

 

[ZandarKoad]

LOL I wasn't going to say anything, but that is quite red-neck. It would use up a port on the DP34 which isn't good either. I'm looking at some power inserters in a Skywalker catalog and they seem quite reasonable (under $10). But I would need 3 of them... and it would be a bit tricky getting power to the LNBs... If I run electric up there I'd need to use steel conduit (which I've never done). Or I could run lots of coax. A dual cable for each LNB, then have the power inserters in the basement. Ug

 

[AntAltMike]

Any old 18 volt power inserter will do. You probably can buy them for under $40. Most DBS power inserters have one 13 volt circuit and one 18 volt circuit, but there are some Tru Spec ones that have one port switchable between 13 and 18 volts, so if you can find one of those, you will only need two instead of three.