Superjack 18 actuator is stuck

teltras

Member
My Satellite Setup
Channel Master 1.2mts superjack 18´´
Famaval 135PM Aluminium offset superjack 18´´
Famaval 1.0mts with diseqc motor Digipower SG-2100A
Andrew/Channel Master 1.2m with Jaeger SMR1224

Receivers:
Gigablue Quad UHD
Gigablue Trio 4K
KIII pro
Dm800HD
My Location
Portugal
Hi there,
Can you guys provide me any link or explain me how to open motor arm because its stuck.
The motor is ok, only the arm is stuck.

Thanks
 
Can you show a picture of the pipe without the motor
 
How did you determine that the arm is stuck, but the motor is OK?? Bench setup with two or more 12 volt battery's or power supply?

How old is the dish/motor?
 
Taking the gearbox is recommended first , if only to remove any water that might be lying at the base of the drive

The usual unstick is to lock the worm drive by clamping in a vice and unscrew (anticlockwise) the top end with a 3/8 extension bar through the bolt hole. There are more issues that arise if the actuator is already extended to maximum travel.
 
Can you show a picture of the pipe without the motor
The motor is now assembled again. Sorry I forgot to take a photo of the motor, but I can take one tomorrow.

How did you determine that the arm is stuck, but the motor is OK?? Bench setup with two or more 12 volt battery's or power supply?

How old is the dish/motor?
Yes, I did use a a 24 volt power supply, The motor drive it´s very easy to separate from the arm, (just one bolt) the dish is about 31 years old but I did restore it to new condition, because its a Channel Master... this motor has 30 years old.

Taking the gearbox is recommended first , if only to remove any water that might be lying at the base of the drive

The usual unstick is to lock the worm drive by clamping in a vice and unscrew (anticlockwise) the top end with a 3/8 extension bar through the bolt hole. There are more issues that arise if the actuator is already extended to maximum travel.

That´s what ive done.
that giant spiral screw had a lot of rust and corrosion but i did clean it very well, the only problem is the shaft has a little bit of play, about 2 or 3mm when I push it or pull it. The culprit seems to be that thing like a nut where the spiral works. It´s made of a softer material than the big spiral screw.
After lubricating everything it works...but it´s noisy, grinding noise...from the arm.
I didn´t change the bottom bearing because I dont have anything to clamp and secure the giant screw, to remove the lock nut at the shaft end. the bearing is damaged with a lot of rust, it can rotate now, and I did fill it with bearing grease.

The motor alone, drive and gears, is very quiet.
 
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Hummm....might be time for a new actuator.
 
Yes, but I only find stores with mad prices! This kind of motor used to be no more than 50 euro, I´ve found stores asking 170eur to 500eur! Why?
Why this motors are now hard to find?
 
Demand fell off sharply about 10 years ago for linear actuators, owing to DiSEqC switching and the higher power of newer satellites.

Additionally polarmount and actuators weigh more than the H-to-H for the same size of reflector.
 
Demand fell off sharply about 10 years ago for linear actuators, owing to DiSEqC switching and the higher power of newer satellites.

Additionally polarmount and actuators weigh more than the H-to-H for the same size of reflector.

Yes you are correct, maybe that´s the main reason.

They only sell crap antennas nowadays, with crap mounts that bends very easy. People like Gibertini antennas, but even that brand polar mount is made of a tin can metal.

Is there any good diseqc to put on a Channel Master 1,20mts?
 
No, unless you are creative and use a pair of them in tandem.
 
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One reason was the advent of "Ku" band direct to home service, everyone dropped the big "C" band dishes for the smaller "Ku" band dishes, so the demand for the linear actuators dropped off, you can't even find good used ones now days.

If you looking into a new one then try looking for a VonWeise actuator, you may pay more but the quality is there.
 
Is there any good diseqc to put on a Channel Master 1,20mts?
If you're good with metal then perhaps you can make a mount like RimaNTSS did:
 
One reason was the advent of "Ku" band direct to home service, everyone dropped the big "C" band dishes for the smaller "Ku" band dishes, so the demand for the linear actuators dropped off, you can't even find good used ones now days.

If you looking into a new one then try looking for a VonWeise actuator, you may pay more but the quality is there.

And that one works with 36 volts? I disnt find any. How do I connect the arm to that motor?
thanks

If you're good with metal then perhaps you can make a mount like RimaNTSS did:

I dont have a soldering machine, so its cheaper to buy a new actuator. Thanks for the link, it´s pretty good.
 
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