Problem with switches

Bill_MacClarence · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 09:07 PM

I have a Sadoun 4 x 1 switch. I have three dishes looking at circular birds and a fourth looking at linear birds. The switch works fine with the three circular birds, but when I try to tie the linear one in @ position 4, I get no signal. I have to bypass the switch in order for it to work. I set the DiSEqC switch to "4" so I know it's not a software problem.

rainman · #2 (**permalink**) 12-14-2006, 06:36 AM

you could have a dead port on your disqec switch hook the linear lnb to port 3 and see if it works if it does problem solved if not you may have your lo freq set wrong in your receiver.

wejones · #3 (**permalink**) 12-14-2006, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill_MacClarence

I have a Sadoun 4 x 1 switch. I have three dishes looking at circular birds and a fourth looking at linear birds. The switch works fine with the three circular birds, but when I try to tie the linear one in @ position 4, I get no signal. I have to bypass the switch in order for it to work. I set the DiSEqC switch to "4" so I know it's not a software problem.

While I agree that it's likely that you have one dead port (I have 3 of those 4x1 switches, and none of them work right), you might try to experiment and switch the position of 2 of your coaxes, ie put the linear on 3 and one of the circular on 4, for example. Ie it might be something to do with the linear coax drawing more current or something, particularly if you have a motor on the linear, and the switch is on the receiver side of the motor by chance.

Sadoun · #4 (**permalink**) 12-14-2006, 01:30 PM

I can guarantee you that all Sadoun switches that we ship are 100% quality tested at the factory level.

I am not saying the factory test a sample from each batch, no. Every single switch is tested several times during the manufacturing process to assure quality and functionality.

Bill_MacClarence · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2006, 05:35 PM

Thanks for all the information, but I'm still not quite sure how to proceed. First - a little more about my system. I have three dishes, a 6 ft, a 4 ft and a 3 ft shooting at 110, 119 and 148 respectively. They're connected to a powered SW-64 switch with three Invacom quad LNBs directed to a DISH receiver. The low-powered side of the quad is directed to a splitter with the unpowered side sent to a 4 x 1 switch and then to a Pansat 2700. I've got great signal using a 4 ft aimed at T5 @97 but have to bypass the 4 x 1 switch. It makes no difference which LNB - a quad tied to one of the linear ports, or an Invacom uni.single or a DMS International standard KU. None of them work through the 4 x 1 switch, although I have set the Pansat software for a different DiSEqC port and changed the type of LNB.

Bill_MacClarence · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2006, 08:54 PM

OK, I beamed in on AMC1 with my Zintech LNB. Setting the Pansat software to "Universal 2" I picked up 10 transponders on a blind scan. This was with bypassing the Sadoun switch. When I reconnected the 4 x 1 switch and set the DiSEqC switch to "4" I got NADA!

Bill_MacClarence · #7 (**permalink**) 12-16-2006, 03:52 PM

Is it possible that using a Universal LNB is different than the quad Invacom in terms of what voltage the receiver sees (14 or 18 volts)? I though that was set automically by the Pansat software? The three Invacom's are all connected through the 14 volt side.

rainman · #8 (**permalink**) 12-16-2006, 05:57 PM

if you are using a universal lnb it may be your problem with it working through the disqec switch.

Sadoun · #9 (**permalink**) 12-16-2006, 09:38 PM

Universal LNBF should have no problem working with a DiSEqC switch.

Notice the linear side of the QPH-031 Quad Invacom LNBF is a Standard type not universal. So you will need to setup the LO frequency to 10750

Bill_MacClarence · #10 (**permalink**) 01-07-2007, 11:46 PM

Well, the switch was the problem - the LNB4 port was fried. I read on the Sadoun website that you should always power down before you change connections and I didn't know this. Could anyone tell me exactly what happened to fry the thing and why the unit must be off before making connections?

rainman · #11 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill_MacClarence

Well, the switch was the problem - the LNB4 port was fried. I read on the Sadoun website that you should always power down before you change connections and I didn't know this. Could anyone tell me exactly what happened to fry the thing and why the unit must be off before making connections?

the receiver sends voltage down the coax cable to power up the lnb and motor even with the receiver off some voltage goes through.you unplug the receiver so you don't get a voltage spike when disconnecting and connecting the coax.

Bill_MacClarence · #12 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 08:44 AM

OK, so I got a voltage spike. It seems like that might be bad on an LNB, but what gets fried inside a switch? The damage was limited to one port - LNB4.

elgemcdlf · #13 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 09:15 AM

Actually if you continue to use the switch you will find it is not isolated to one port. Others will die one by one here shortly.

wejones · #14 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill_MacClarence

Well, the switch was the problem - the LNB4 port was fried. I read on the Sadoun website that you should always power down before you change connections and I didn't know this. Could anyone tell me exactly what happened to fry the thing and why the unit must be off before making connections?

This is only my personal opinion, so don't sue me for fried equipment, but I simply don't beleive that there IS any problem with changing connections with the receiver powered up. My *OPINION* is that it's only a way to blame the consumer. I think there is more likelihood of frying as switch due to static discharge, and this can be just as or even more likely with the unit off. Of course if you short out the center conductor of one of the ports on the switch while the receiver is connected to it and powered up, then this could fry the switch, however it's pretty hard to do this, so if you're moderately careful, this shouldn't be a problem. Also, if you have a motor being powered through the switch that could be a problem, but the recommendation is to have your switch after the motor.
I have switched coax on my 2x1 switch probably hundreds of times, and have never had a problem with it, and yet my 4x1 switch was dead on one port right out of the box. I've bought 2 more 4x1 switches of assorted brands, and was careful about the power thing with them, and they were dead out of the box in at least some aspect of their use also. My opinion is that despite claims of QA/QC testing, that these 4x1 switches are just NOT tested well enough and/or are of poor design. I wish I could find a source of my original 2x1 switch (Pansat I think), because that sure seems to be a reliable switch. Been using that for years with not problems.

elgemcdlf · #15 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 11:53 AM

I am currently running Pansat switches and have had no problems thus far. Knock on wood. Still haven't sent my old Sadoun switches in but it has not left my mind. Keep running into them when looking for anything in my pile of useful junk

bobkat · #16 (**permalink**) 01-08-2007, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wejones

This is only my personal opinion, so don't sue me for fried equipment, but I simply don't beleive that there IS any problem with changing connections with the receiver powered up.

I agree. I've changed lots of switches, LNBs, dilpexers and other devices with the receiver powered up (after all, its too much work to run back in the house and see if the receivers is unplugged - not just off) and I have never shorted out anything enough to damage it. I too