Overheating Inverto Black Ultra

[sonnetpete]

Ok, so I spent almost two days realigning my set up. Had it just about spot on and thought, "I'll take some readings and post them on the forum". (I was really pleased to have Nilesat verticals and horizontals in the daytime!!)

So about an hour after having powered up the stb, the signal faded away whilst on Astra 19.2°. Now in truth it has been a little flaky on and off for a while. I previously cured the problem in two ways. Either checking the f connector and cabling (disconnecting the dish input seemed to work) or going into the motor menu and altering my settings seemed to restore things as well.

But this morning no. I redid all 4 F connectors without a result and was convinced it must be faulty cabling. However, I have a spare Smart Titanium LNB and swapped that over. Straight back to normal, though not quite as good as the Black Ultra.

Obviously, I'll get another Black Ultra but am now wondering if it's a one off fault or, as it's been extra hot here has the temperature affected the LNB? It didn't drop out during the past two days but then it hasn't been as sunny. Anyone else experienced a problem with their Black Ultra or do I now try and design a heat shield?

 

[Lazarus]

Interesting phenomenomenomenon.

Black absorbs heat, of course, and I have heard of LNBs going out of kilter due to Local Oscillator instability in hot conditions, but not sure that the blackness of the LNB would increase the risk any more than infinitesimally.

 

[thecaretaker]

I've not noticed any heat problems with mine m8. I've got the quad version.

 

[hexah]

Sounds like it has been slowly dying of unknown causes rather than a heat death. LO drift has different symptoms. The LNB has space to breathe in its plastic case so it should not turn into a black body!

It might still be one dodgy connection or cable. It may be worth checking them one at a time and remaking any suspect connections eg if it has pulled out a bit inside the f-connector under its own weight and some shield wire has come loose (another good reason to use self-amalgamating tape at the LNB connection and not the rubber boots). I also assume you have not buried any cable in the soil, which can quickly lead to water ingress.

Otherwise its time to get the Black Ultra replaced under warranty.

 

[sonnetpete]

Yes, I think it's more a component problem than anything else. I don't think the black casing is the cause of the problem but as temperatures were over 40°C in the sun last week it may have pushed something 'over the edge'.

I'll check the f-connectors again, but there has been no problem since I replaced the lnb yesterday and I left the stb/tv on all afternoon and evening.

No cables buried in soil! Straight from dish/motor through porch (plasterboard) wall, through windowsill and to stb. Don't think it's more than a 10m cable run.

I could get it replaced under warranty, if only I could remember where I got it! It was a German online dealer and it took a long time to get here so I'm not very hopeful of getting anywhere with a replacement. Anyway, it's successor is already on it's way from Amazon.de, which has the useful facility of accessing your credit card details, delivery addresses, etc. from it's sibling sites in France and the UK.

 

[hexah]

Yes, it sounds like a faulty unit.

I got my Black Ultra from amazon.de because they offered the best customer service. If there is a problem, it will be resolved without any problems. They can be bought from some decent shops in the UK now (forum sponsors Sat Europa & Southern Satellites), but in your case I think it is cheaper to keep it all in €uro.

 

[sonnetpete]

Not only is it cheaper to keep it in Euro's but transport costs are lower than if you had to send it across the Channel. I've already had an email with a tracking number, though things will be held up in France due to Bastille Day. Hopefully I can get those readings done next week, weather and workmen installing 'fosse septique' permitting!

 

[Hakon]

Im having not the same problem but a simular. My Laminas with Clarke Teck HH390 and a Smart Titanium 2nd Ed Quad LNB has been running for two years without problems.Moved the dish to a new location and changed to a MTI High Line single LNB, worked for 24 hours, but now problems starts.Dish refused to move,sometimes it worked and sometimes not. I could always move the dish with the buttons on the motor,but not so good with my DM800.Checked all connectors,cables, changed powersupply to the DM800 same problem.Changed to a Vantage satbox and it all worked fine. As i had a spare Smart Titanium 2nd Ed Single LNB i replaced the MTI to Smart and now all works great again with the DM800. My conclusion is that not all components are working together,i do know that the MTI wants more power but not that mutch i think.
I have read that some had same problems with there DiSEqC rotor,so it maby can make a big differ with another LNB/LNB brand.

 

[Detlef]

The AFC on some receivers will not pull in a LO frequency that is well off the design value.

As a test, try changing the LO freq in your set-up by +/- 5MHz to see if it makes a difference.

 

[alecas]

Hello sonnetpete. I agre that is a heat problem, i live in a hot city, in Mexico. I've that problem in the hottest days of the year, after that the problem disapear (same LN, if you have a weak signal, you gonna lose or see some pixels, if have a good signal, only the levels go down, another LNB with major gain solve my problem, also a little block of aluminium hoked to the metal part, or a biggest antenna to get better signal. Your other LNB that works great must have more gain, or better curve Temp vs noise. Remember, temp is a problem in an electronic device.

 

[sonnetpete]

JUst to let everyone know, the replacement arrived and after swapping it over for the Smart Titanium there haven't been any problems. Temperatures aren't as extreme now though so maybe I'll have to wait and see.

When the Black Ultra finally gave up it had been out in temperatures up to 42°C (spec sheet says max working temperature 60°C) and I don't know if the angle of the sun at that time of the year and at my latitude was causing a focusing effect on the LNB via the dish surface, if the sun was nearly tracking the satellite arc at certain times of the day. Perhaps my choice of brick red for the dish surface didn't help either. It will remain a mystery unless the problem recurrs.

 

[sonnetpete]

It might be of interest to say that the "replacement" Black Ultra was ordered from a French online supplier on Monday and I received it Wednesday via the normal postal service. Initally I ordered a Black Ultra from a supplier on Amazon.de. This moved from Germany to France by the next working day. Since then it was transferred to the GLS depot about an hour from here. That was on the 21st of this month, I'm still waiting for delivery!! According to the tracking it's been out for delivery and then stored six times. It says it's out for delivery again today, we'll see! I'd think twice in the future about ordering from a supplier who uses GLS.

 

[Lazarus]

We have that problem here, too.

Being four miles from the main road, some of the delivery services show a marked disinclination to bother attempting delivery if it rots up their schedule.

When you ring to complain they always swear blind they couldn't find the house or there was nobody in.

But the village has eighteen properties only and we are right by the lane with two house-name boards in full view.

And I'm nearly always in - if not, neighbours are on watch.

They just lie to cover the gaps in their hectic schedules.

 

[sonnetpete]

Sadly for me, ringing is an option fraught with language problems though my French isn't too bad I have problems in comprehension if the other party decides to speak quickly. (My "supposed" lack of French comes in handy when dealing with cold calling though)

I have emailed the courier company, in English, French and German (thank you Babelfish), but only received a lengthy and obviously computer generated reply. I emailed the German supplier via Amazon yesterday, again in English and German and am waiting for a reply. I would imagine that, even if the LNB does turn up eventually they will want compensation for the lack of service. Indeed, so do I!!

 

[sonnetpete]

Now it seems, according to the latest tracking report, that my address is wrong! After two weeks, they've realised it's a wrong address? Oi vey!!

 

[sonnetpete]

An update : it seems my Black Ultra has dissapeared into a vast Normandy warehouse never to be seen again. This despite emailing my lat and long co-ordinates correct to two decimal places. GLS (who I'm afraid I couldn't recommend as a courier firm) won't return a personal email, preferring to send a proforma email asking me to ring a premium rate "helpline". Well I'm sorry, I've spent money on their carriage services and I refuse to spend even more. They have my telephone number, they can ring me. For your amusement below is listed the "tracking report" copied from the website. I am not amused!!!

13/08/2010 16:21 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
13/08/2010 16:19 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 4.55 Not delivered because defined time frame exceeded
13/08/2010 08:59 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
12/08/2010 10:38 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 12.42 Not out for delivery as goods reception was closed
12/08/2010 09:29 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
12/08/2010 09:29 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
12/08/2010 09:18 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
12/08/2010 07:07 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
11/08/2010 16:23 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
11/08/2010 16:23 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 12.32 Not out for delivery due to a wrong address
11/08/2010 16:22 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 4.55 Not delivered because defined time frame exceeded
11/08/2010 09:07 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
10/08/2010 10:39 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 12.42 Not out for delivery as goods reception was closed
10/08/2010 09:55 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
10/08/2010 09:36 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
09/08/2010 16:03 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
09/08/2010 16:03 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
05/08/2010 16:29 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
05/08/2010 16:26 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 4.32 Not delivered due to a wrong address
05/08/2010 16:25 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 4.55 Not delivered because defined time frame exceeded
05/08/2010 09:08 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
03/08/2010 18:15 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 4.32 Not delivered due to a wrong address
03/08/2010 15:49 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
03/08/2010 09:02 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
03/08/2010 07:13 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 2.0 Inbound to GLS location
02/08/2010 17:20 FR0014 Ifs, France 1.0 Outbound from GLS location
02/08/2010 09:45 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 12.42 Not out for delivery as goods reception was closed
02/08/2010 07:58 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
30/07/2010 19:23 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 4.32 Not delivered due to a wrong address
30/07/2010 16:51 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
30/07/2010 16:51 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
30/07/2010 09:08 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
29/07/2010 17:55 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
29/07/2010 12:24 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 4.55 Not delivered because defined time frame exceeded
29/07/2010 09:23 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
28/07/2010 16:11 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 12.42 Not out for delivery as goods reception was closed
28/07/2010 10:08 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
28/07/2010 09:57 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
27/07/2010 14:10 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 12.42 Not out for delivery as goods reception was closed
27/07/2010 10:00 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
27/07/2010 10:00 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
27/07/2010 09:47 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
26/07/2010 18:11 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 12.42 Not out for delivery as goods reception was closed
26/07/2010 08:37 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
26/07/2010 08:24 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
22/07/2010 17:29 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
22/07/2010 17:26 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 4.55 Not delivered because defined time frame exceeded
22/07/2010 09:50 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
21/07/2010 10:17 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
21/07/2010 10:17 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 8.0 Stored
21/07/2010 09:50 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 11.0 Out for delivery on GLS vehicle
20/07/2010 15:39 FR0B14 ROUFFIGNY, France 2.0 Inbound to GLS location
19/07/2010 19:28 FR0094 Fleury Mérogis, France 2.0 Inbound to GLS location
17/07/2010 00:34 FR0094 Fleury Mérogis, France 2.0 Inbound to GLS location
16/07/2010 16:48 FR0057 Ennery, France 1.0 Outbound from GLS location
16/07/2010 16:48 FR0057 Ennery, France 2.0 Inbound to GLS location
15/07/2010 00:33 DE 001 Neuenstein, Germany 2.0 Inbound to GLS location
15/07/2010 00:32 DE 001 Neuenstein, Germany 0.0 Data transferred to GLS System
14/07/2010 11:31 DE 450 Westerkappeln-Velpe, Germany 0.100 Data transferred to GLS System as preadvice

 

[Lazarus]

It beggars belief!

 

[Llew]

Heck! Good job it wasn't a pack of Bratwurst

 

[sonnetpete]

Heck! Good job it wasn't a pack of Bratwurst

If it was, it would have been able to walk here on it's own by now!!

 

[sonnetpete]

Shock, horror!!! The LNB was delivered this morning!! Obviously my latest email sent to Amazon.de did the trick. I got a phone call asking for directions from our nearest town to here and he arrived in less than ten minutes. Annoyingly, I recognized the driver, as he had delivered stuff to me before. The original label had omitted my house name, so although we are a small commune anyone delivering would have encountered a problem. Wouldn't have stopped them asking at the town hall or indeed anyone in the village though, as I'm sure they all know "l'anglais avec the grand parabole". No apology from the driver either unsurprisingly.

I hope they refund the carriage costs too. The Black Ultra was 13 Euro's 69c and carriage 13 Euro's 90c. I feel another email coming on!!