H180 Modding ?

[Vipersan]

My lump 'o' steel arrived this morning and since the sun is out ..thought I'd make a start on the base/plate..
Only got one side on so far as it's slow work with 5mm steel and hand tools..
Plus each section has to be custom made to fit..
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

Got another couple of hours in after work ..but time to stop for tonight ..
The good doctor pays us a visit very soon ..and I ain't missing that..
Here it is so far..
rgds
VS
..new disc on the angle grinder tomorrow ..
worn one down to about an inch diameter today.
;)

 

[Vipersan]

Got a bit more done ..but ran out of cutting wheels for the angle grinder so gonna have something to eat ..then go shopping for needed stuff ..
Including a new kettle ..element went o/c last night
rgds
VS

 

[Lazarus]

Always have a spare Kettle and a spare Iron here: Too much of a pain to do a fifteen mile round trip to the shops.

 

[Vipersan]

All tools now brought in ..as it looks the rain soon..
So ..last pics for today ..
I'm pleased so far ..but it is hard graft..
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

Managing to get bits done between showers ...and since this required I remove the frame in its entirity for some drilling..
I took the opportunity to take a couple of photos of the custom made sections of which there are 4 ..
The original elevation screw adjustment has been left intact and incorperated to allow it to be used if needed ..and not cut off so as not to weaken the motors bottom structure ..
rgds
VS

 

[Captain Jack]

That's some pretty good work there, VS, and giving me one of potential ways of strengthening the 1224.

 

[Vipersan]

Aaaarrrrggghhh ..
Run out of Stainless M6s nuts bolts and washers ...but all drilling now complete ..
The photos should give an idea what it will look like when complete ...and it's fairly close now.
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

That's some pretty good work there, VS, and giving me one of potential ways of strengthening the 1224.

Glad you like it CJ ...
Been no fun out there today ..
Cold wet n miserable ...but I have the internal glow that comes from knowing I will soon have a fully controlable dish ..
;)

 

[Mickha]

I take it you're going to remove the current adjustment method, on the corner of the motor, and use your newly adapted method instead. Have you already got the parts, for that modification?
I never did get my H180 to align fully, I could get most satellites, and maximum signal strength, except for 30W. I'm 95% there, with the Jaeger 1224, but rain, and bad weather, have stopped play, I still reckon I can get a bit more signal, off some satellites, once I tweak the arc, clean the dish, and change the LNB.
I just wish August had a few more nice, sunny, dry, calm days, the only time the weather seems to have been good is when I'm at work, but even then most days it rained !!!!!!!!!

 

[Vipersan]

I take it you're going to remove the current adjustment method, on the corner of the motor, and use your newly adapted method instead. Have you already got the parts, for that modification?
I never did get my H180 to align fully, I could get most satellites, and maximum signal strength, except for 30W. I'm 95% there, with the Jaeger 1224, but rain, and bad weather, have stopped play, I still reckon I can get a bit more signal, off some satellites, once I tweak the arc, clean the dish, and change the LNB.
I just wish August had a few more nice, sunny, dry, calm days, the only time the weather seems to have been good is when I'm at work, but even then most days it rained !!!!!!!!!

Not chosen a jack as yet Mickha ..but anything around 12 inches should do..
As to the corner adjustment ..
No it won't be fully removed ..just the locknuts moved to the lowest position so the threaded bar slides ..
That way ..should the jack ever shear...there will be a limit on how far forward the dish can fall..
A sort of 'failsafe'..
;)

 

[Vipersan]

Spent an hour or so getting Carl roughly on the arc
11785H at 0.8W around 15.3 db ..
Close enough for now ..
The mount point hole centres at this point are roughly 10.25 inches apart..
So I'm thinking either a 10 or 12 inch jack ..
I wont be using much of it anyway ..
from fully closed to about 3 inches maybe ...obviously with limit set accordingly..
Now to choose one that wont break the bank.
Good pulse count
Reed switched
Good loading limit...no play...and reliable
M0 to M12 mount bolt thickness

..and before anyone comments on it ..
Yes I may have to cut an arch in the steel above the jack arm to allow it to be fitted at the shown angle ..but less is more so wont trim the steel 'till I have the actuator in hand.

recommendations welcomed..
rgds
VS

..in fact ..if anyone has one that meet the above criteria ..lying around surplus to requirements .
Preferably as close to new as possible.
I may well be interested in buying it ..providing you can post it ?

 

[Captain Jack]

Sadly, don't have any small ones, unless you're interested in a castrated 18" one - it's about 12" now. Free to a good home. Play shouldn't be an issue here as the jack will always be under strain.

Alternatively, you can get a small new 10 incher from Germany for relatively little money.

 

[Vipersan]

Sadly, don't have any small ones, unless you're interested in a castrated 18" one - it's about 12" now. Free to a good home. Play shouldn't be an issue here as the jack will always be under strain.

Alternatively, you can get a small new 10 incher from Germany for relatively little money.

Cheers Alex ..I'll keep it in mind ..
Who are you recommending re- the supplier in Germany ?
The postage most likely being the killer ...
I have looked at redapple ...
approx £45 from them ..but not sure if that includes postage ..ie free post.
rgds
VS

 

[Captain Jack]

HM-sat is my go-to seller in Germany. For the 8" jack, it's 20 Euros + 15 Euros postage. They are very quick with delivery too...

 

[aceb]

Same, got both my 8" and 36" from HM-Sat at a fraction of the cost of buying in the UK.

 

[Vipersan]

Ok ...got a 12 incher (Hopefully Jaeger) on order from HM ...for the grand total of £36 delivered..

Eventually I'll need another Diseqc controlled Vbox ..
That will be the 4th ..but for now will control it with an old NEC 36v postioner (non diseqc)

Now we see where 2x dual Vboxes would be useful as opposed to 4 seperates...
rgds
VS

 

[Captain Jack]

Ok ...got a 12 incher (Hopefully Jaeger) on order from HM ...for the grand total of £36 delivered..

Eventually I'll need another Diseqc controlled Vbox ..
That will be the 4th ..but for now will control it with an old NEC 36v postioner (non diseqc)

Now we see where 2x dual Vboxes would be useful as opposed to 4 seperates...
rgds
VS

Mine was a 'SuperJack' that was delivered, not Jaeger. I thought Jaeger was out of business, anyway?

What's your arrangement like with the 3x Vboxes now? I have 2 but only one connected to the receiver - the other is only used for fine tuning manually.

 

[Vipersan]

Mine was a 'SuperJack' that was delivered, not Jaeger. I thought Jaeger was out of business, anyway?

What's your arrangement like with the 3x Vboxes now? I have 2 but only one connected to the receiver - the other is only used for fine tuning manually.

2 are daisy chained for Christina ..thus one diseqc command will adjust AZ and EL ..
..and I hope to do the same for Carl ..
Hence the need for a 4th box.
Yep ..I think Jaeger probably are out of business ..so not sure what I'll get ..
Prolly Superjack or Harl.
lap of the gods that one..
;)

 

[Vipersan]

Ok ..having done this much already ..I'm now considering adding a counterweight to the frame ....but how practical would this be ..
Would it be a good idea ..?
Keep in mind it wouldn't move with the dish thus only when the dish points due south would it actually be fully balanced..
Also ..what to make it out of ..
Concrete is a possiblity ..held within a box as in the modified photo..
(simplistic interpretation)
Pro's and Cons would be appreciated ..and as usual ..practical suggestions.
rgds
VS