Advice Needed Thoughts sought on emp-centauri switches

[sophie101]

Hi,
How good are these EMP-Centauri switches?

I am thinking of this one to use for a 4 lnb set-up that I mighht expend into a 6 lnb later when I have bought a different receiver.

https://emp-centauri.cz/product/diseqc-switch-s8-1pcp-w2-p-168-w/

 

[jeallen01]

My own experience with EMP-Centauri kit is that it has good installation instructions, works well and seems very reliable, AND has very good tech support, but it's not anywhere the cheapest on the market (and so it's a pity that there appear to be very few UK suppliers that I know of)
OTOH, it should be easier and probably cheaper for you in the EU to buy their kit than for us in the UK.

FWIW, my S16/1PCP-W3 16-1 switch still seems to run fine after just over 4 yrs, and multiple dish cable re-configurations. Do make sure you install any such switch so that rainwater can't get inside it and maybe put some silica gel bags inside the switch (if you can?) to mop up any moisture that does get in.

The only slight reservation that I have with that switch is that the F-connectors are located quite close together and thus that it's difficult to wrap the "inner" connectors with self-amalgamating tape, and so I generally use something like this "Plasti Dip" spray to waterproof them as it coats them quite nicely (and is easier to remove, should you need to)

 

[LeBelge]

Hi,
How good are these EMP-Centauri switches?

Too much insertion loss = 5 dB
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I have 4 of these:

Vizyon VZD-16K DiSEqC Switch | MONDIS-059

The Vizyon VZD-16K is a first-class DiSEqC switch from the professional series that offers the option of connecting up to 16 LNBs to a single participant or satellite receiver.Features- 4K Full HD- Supports DiSEqC 1.0 (only for 4 satellites)- DiSEqC 1.1…

www.satking.de

€20 + shipping
Through loss is only 3dB

 

[satesco]

I have been using EMP-Centauri since 2008, when I installed my toroidal T90 for 16 lnb. Since then, I have had no problems with this switch; only recently, I found one port not working. I haven't checked if the port is faulty because I had a spare one.
At the price it sells for, I say it's worth buying.

 

[7mdish]

I had a good experience with such multiswitch some years ago.
I used a 5 in-16 out one. Easy to install, stable and reliable.
I believe that EMP Centauri switches are distributed by SSS in the UK.

 

[Analoguesat]

I use a 16 input one - they dont like accidental shorts when tinkering with lnbs - Ive blown 3 of the inputs so far! So far its been a very good switch most of the time - I do have occasional hiccups when I get a bunch of wrong channels appearing on another satellite but that could be a receiver issue or the switch. Mine is outside & suffers temperatures down to -15C at times in the winter

 

[jeallen01]

@Analoguesat

Well, I seem to have the same 16-1 switch and I definitely have not been as "careful" as I should have been when connecting/disconnecting cables to either that or to the LNBs on the separate fixed dishes - and, AFAIK, I haven't managed to blow any of the 14 or 15 ports that are connected to "something"! - therefore I might have a different opinion as to whether those ports are actually as vulnerable as your's seem to have been.

PS: I'm not casting aspersions on your capabilities because you've been in the "satellite game" far longer than ! I simply don't know much about your system or how you install/mod it!

 

[Analoguesat]

@Analoguesat

Well, I seem to have the same 16-1 switch and I definitely have not been as "careful" as I should have been when connecting/disconnecting cables to either that or to the LNBs on the separate fixed dishes - and, AFAIK, I haven't managed to blow any of the 14 or 15 ports that are connected to "something"! - therefore I might have a different opinion as to whether those ports are actually as vulnerable as your's seem to have been.

PS: I'm not casting aspersions on your capabilities because you've been in the "satellite game" far longer than ! I simply don't know much about your system or how you install/mod it!

Maybe Ive just been unlucky!

Im glad to hear they arent as vulnerable as I thought they were. I may get a replacement at some time so I get the extra 3 ports back..