Installing 2.4m Dish? Concrete base?

[Riverman]

Hi,

I have decided to have at go at installing a 2.4m dish, I will be placing it on a roof terrace so need to make sure that the base is strong enough to hold it. This is first time I have done this so would appreciate any advice.

How big should the concrete base be (1MX1Mx30CM?) ? Will a roof terrace normally be ok holding that amount of weight? I think I will make a wooden frame and pour the concrete in, how thick does the wood need to be and what kind of fixings will I need to hold the weight of the concrete behind the wood until it sets? Should I use 4 bolts to bolt the stand down first? How straight does the stand really need to be?

Thanks for any help

 

[sat man]

Hi Riverman,

What your doing sounds fine, I would cement the stand into the base as fixing into a flat roof may tear out in strong winds. The stand doesn't need to be 100% vertical as it's a prime focus dish, although water laying around may be worth thinking about. If you p.m me I'll gladly call / meet up with you and give any advice / help I can.

Cheers

 

[CROSSBONES]

You could also try a non penetrating roof mount, it just sits on the roof, weighted down with patio slabs.

Regardless if the dish is prime or offset, the pole has to be spot on, other wise your arc on the polar mount will be off;)

 

[sat man]

Regardless if the dish is prime or offset, the pole has to be spot on, other wise your arc on the polar mount will be off.

It ain't a motorised system. I've fitted several 2.4 m dish on severe slopes with the ground stands no where near vertical all with NO problems ever. You chaps in uk got it easy installing sky !!

 

[Riverman]

If you p.m me I'll gladly call / meet up with you and give any advice / help I can.

Cheers

I am going to try to do this without any help (just the help from this forum!) and see how it goes, but thanks for the offer, If I get stuck I will send you a PM, but I am hoping I will be able to handle it all myself.

 

[Riverman]

I am a bit worried about the strength that the wooden base needs to be to hold the concrete in the 1mX1mX30cm base until it sets, I am thinking 10mm wood held in place by lots of screws, will this be enough to hold the weight?

 

[bignick]

I am a bit worried about the strength that the wooden base needs to be to hold the concrete in the 1mX1mX30cm base until it sets, I am thinking 10mm wood held in place by lots of screws, will this be enough to hold the weight?

10mm will be ok though it may bow a bit. Make sure you have a bit of 2x2 at the corners and perhaps going around the middle too (but I have never required this) put a sprinkle of gravel at the bottom. and use loads and loads of nice free bolders in the center.

Cheers

Nick