Two Receiver Motorised Setup

[damhy]

I was wondering the best way to have a two receiver motorised setup. The diagram I have drawn below shows the basis of what I think the layout needs to be like.

Where I have the question mark I think I'ld require some kind of switch that would, when switched one way, take input1 -> output1 and input2 -> output2. Then when switched the otherway would connect in1 -> out2 and in2 -> out1. If this was possible then you could make a selection on which satellite had control of the motor. But because it is a dual LNB, you could get both V and H channels on both receivers at the same time.

Dont know how you guys think this would work, or if there is even a switch for what I want to do. But any ideas greatly appreciated. Or obviously alternative solutions.

Thanks

 

[Llew]

I was wondering the best way to have a two receiver motorised setup. The diagram I have drawn below shows the basis of what I think the layout needs to be like.

Where I have the question mark I think I'ld require some kind of switch that would, when switched one way, take input1 -> output1 and input2 -> output2. Then when switched the otherway would connect in1 -> out2 and in2 -> out1. If this was possible then you could make a selection on which satellite had control of the motor. But because it is a dual LNB, you could get both V and H channels on both receivers at the same time.

Dont know how you guys think this would work, or if there is even a switch for what I want to do. But any ideas greatly appreciated. Or obviously alternative solutions.

Thanks

It would be almost impossible to synchronise your receivers' motor drive - when one receiver moves the dish, the other will have lost its positioning.

Llew

 

[damhy]

when one receiver moves the dish, the other will have lost its positioning.

I'm not too bothered about this issue, as long as both receivers can use the LNB and I can switch which one has access to the motor. As I see it, if one receiver changes the satellite, I can just go through the menus on the other receiver and make it think that its changing satellite, even though it wont even be connected to the motor at the time.

If that makes sense.

 

[gameboy]

If that makes sense.

I think you're correct.

As long as only one receiver has control over the motor.

You will need two cables to a dual LNB but only one will go through the motor.

Only thing you will have to know where the dish is pointing or you will have to do a lot of channel changing on the second receiver.

 

[damhy]

Only thing you will have to know where the dish is pointing or you will have to do a lot of channel changing on the second receiver.

LOL, either that or I'll end up breaking it after getting infuriated that it isnt working!

Its just where would I get a switch like the one I suggest, so they exist??? I'm sure its possible to make one out of several switches, but that would be more hassle than its worth.

 

[gameboy]

LOL, either that or I'll end up breaking it after getting infuriated that it isnt working!

Whoops! Didn't read the switch bit - sorry

Your best bet would be to use a dual LNB which will let you watch both H and V channels on both receivers.

The cable from receiver one will control the dish motor.

The other cable from receiver two would go direct to the LNB.

No switch - the switch would just cause problems with referencing the motor to two receivers.

 

[damhy]

No switch

That was the core part to the setup, i have two receivers in separate rooms, so I wanted to be able to set it up so that I could use the motor from either. That way I wouldnt say need to keep going to the living room to move the dish everytime I am using the other. I have a simple switch one receiver or the other at the moment, its just I'ld have liked to have both with reception facility rather than just one at a time, and I wanted to choice which one of the two had motor control.

 

[BGonaSTICK]

It's not easy to solve. I have the setup that GB specs above at the moment, but want one like you specify. I have a cunning plan. It's not pretty, but it's mine.

If only I was mad enough to try it.

 

[gameboy]

If only I was mad enough to try it.

No way!!!

Think about it!

 

[dago]

its relatively easy, use a cable splitter,or if your receiver has lmb passthrough, use
that, and as long as you remember to leave the dish on hot bird every time,and both
receivers on hot bird, then there is no problem, but you must remember to park it
on the same sat, otherwise it becames a total mess.
regards.

 

[damhy]

I have a cunning plan.

For a second there I was convinced that you were being serious.

 

[damhy]

I think I am getting closer to the solution provided that you have a receiver (number 1) with an antenna loopthru this would allow you to use Receiver 2 for motor turning, but would limit the V/H when both are used. But if switched so rec2 is on the un-motorised cable, then rec1 has full control and both can get all V and H channels.

 

[damhy]

its relatively easy, use a cable splitter,or if your receiver has lmb passthrough, use that.

Not that simple doing it this way will allow both to control the motor, but will mean that both receivers can only receive one polarisation at a time. So one will act as the master, this will say set the LNB to a channel with vertical polarisation, now if the second receiver wants to watch a channel that is horizontal, it cannot do so, because the LNB is powered for vertical by the master.

 

[BGonaSTICK]

No way!!!

Think about it!

LOL, maybe for 1W!!!!

Maybe it would work if both motor output shafts were vertical at 0 degrees, and you always returned the not-in-use motor to due south before diving the other motor. Unfortunately, there is only one latitude that it would work!

We'll all have to move into the same street in Worksop, or wherever it happens to be!!!

Somebody work it out, and I'll award you a prize...

 

[damhy]

Maybe it would work if both motor output shafts were vertical at 0 degrees, and you always returned the not-in-use motor to due south before diving the other motor.

Actually I think you are right here. Though as soon as you try to tell it what sat the other receiver moved it to then it'll all go out of alignment as it tried to move it. Grrr.

There must be a good, simple, and more importantly cheap solution to this.

 

[stuntbelly]

I am new to all this but isnt having a seperate satellite positioner the best answer?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4693&item=5740432324&rd=1
I saw this on e*ay and thought it might be ideal. And no its not me selling it.

 

[Llew]

I am new to all this but isnt having a seperate satellite positioner the best answer?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4693&item=5740432324&rd=1
I saw this on e*ay and thought it might be ideal. And no its not me selling it.

No, it's for 36v. motors. Damhy's motor is Diseqc controlled.

Llew

 

[damhy]

Which takes us back to my first answer - you can't control one dish from two receivers without losing alignment. Unless you return the dish back to the position set by the first receiver.

This isnt a problem with my receivers because effecively that's what i am doing at the moment. One receiver on each input of a switch, then to the motor. If you switch over to the other receiver and its not currently aligned with the satellite it thinks that it is on, you need to change to another satellite, and change back. But this does mean that you dont need to think, i need to set the motor back to a ref point before I turn it off.

 

[john_graydon]

It's not easy to solve. I have the setup that GB specs above at the moment, but want one like you specify. I have a cunning plan. It's not pretty, but it's mine.

If only I was mad enough to try it.

Was going to try this, but as i was writing this just thought you would be still only be able to view the one Satellite. Extra dish I suppose is the answer.

 

[damhy]

Extra dish I suppose is the answer.

If it werent for the hassle I had over dish number 1 with the neighbours dissapproval then that would certainly fix the prob. Bu ti really dont think I'ld get the planning concent, and without it the neighbours are bound to complain anyway.