To cover or not to cover

[skitheberks]

Is the feed horn cover necessary? Since the new LNBF is sealed and I have coax seal on the connection, can I go without the cover? The reason is the mounting plate was meant for a larger scaler ring and there are only two bolts holding the mounting plate to the scaler and there is a lot of gaps for wasps.

Any pros or cons to using the cover?

 

[gabshere]

the old cover was in fact to help with the critters plus keep the feedhorn out of the weather. i suspect you would be ok either way. i keep mine uncovered plus i like to tinker with it about once a month lol so leaving it off keeps me from having to remove it each time

most of these covers were black and for some reason is a hot hot color for a cover so when the temps hit the 100's here i'm sure my lnbf would be close to 120 to 130 easy so another reason to leave uncovered

 

[starman345]

I"m also in the "feedhorn not necessary" camp. I had one on my first system and found it was a refuge for the bugs rather than keeping them out. Also, a cover catches a little more wind which can make quite a difference on ku on a windy day. Like George mentioned, your lnbs really take a baking under a cover in the heat of the summer. Something I've noticed over the years is cable dish farms don't use covers....maybe they know something

 

[Davage]

I run without a cover.. When I took the dish down last year from it's former owner's house, a quarter of the cover was filled with a huge wasp nest. (That's one of the interesting parts of BUD relocation...) I threw the cover in the trash and just run with the LNB exposed to the elements. I've had no troubles at all.

 

[truckracer]

No cover here. I have a cover on my 7.5' but not the 10'. Coverless is fine. LNB probably will live longer without a cover since it is painted white. White repels heat. Heat is your enemy.

 

[ACRadio]

Be sure to use LNB gaskets and seal up the connectors and run 'er necked. On BUD'S it will give just a smidge more surface area to leave the cover off. I think it was more of an asthetic appeal to have a cover...but I hate bees...

 

[voomvoom]

I don't use a cover either, but probably because I've removed the elbo, so the lnb sticks straight out, and makes it where the cover won't go on it. I don't think it's necessary...???