Will this set up take a motorized dish??

[ash213]

Hi guys.

Had my set up working since september 2008, check image and details here.

http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellite/picture-members-setups-general-satellite-installations/134935-my-first-set-up.html#post778905

Since install ive had it permanently on 1w for a few channels that show footie at weekends.

Anyway im now in a position where i wish to put a motor on the dish and buy a HD reciever.

Do you guys think my set up would be ok and handle a motor hence what the dish is on? its being held down by rocks and bricks and hasnt moved in over a year!

Cheers all! :-reindeer

 

[Lazarus]

Yes, no problem.

Only having done it will you find out if you need to add further stability to the base/mast, though. But you will .................... !

I've copied the pic here for easier reference:

 

[Topper]

I would take heed of the advice already given in that thread, the added weight of a motor on such a long pole, well basic physics (angular momentum) tells you it is a disaster waiting to happen without extra struts or support from something.

 

[ash213]

OK chaps thanks. ill look into stabalising it a bit more in the future once i have a motor on it!
im sure i can find more rocks!

is there a thread recomending motors etc?

cheers

 

[Lazarus]

Just get a bog standard Moteck SG2100.

 

[hexah]

Why not move it back a bit to the fence? Then you can shorten the pole so it won't wobble so much. :-tree

I expect a proper patio mount would be too short. You could always use a couple of Shelly clamps to bolt the pole onto a patio mount that is well anchored in the ground on a concrete base.

Technomate do Motek clones that may be a bit cheaper.

Ever considered spraying the dish a darker colour? I am sure the neighbours are tired of looking at it. It sticks out like a UFO in the back garden.

:-sugar

 

[hexah]

Actually, I am not sure that you could get it stable enough doing it that way. :-googly

With that kind of exposure and the weight of the dish, it could require a 36v motor and they make a hell of a noise in the wind with a bigger dish so that may turn out to be a problem even with this medium sized dish.

 

[ash213]

Why not move it back a bit to the fence? Then you can shorten the pole so it won't wobble so much. :-tree

I expect a proper patio mount would be too short. You could always use a couple of Shelly clamps to bolt the pole onto a patio mount that is well anchored in the ground on a concrete base.

Technomate do Motek clones that may be a bit cheaper.

Ever considered spraying the dish a darker colour? I am sure the neighbours are tired of looking at it. It sticks out like a UFO in the back garden.

:-sugar

ha ha i bet the neighbours hate seeing it. what colour do you suggest spraying it?! lol

i cant move the dish any more back as its on a slope.
im happy its there mate. dont really wanna move it anywhere.

good advice on cutting the pole a bit, but will the dish still get a good signal?!

 

[Lazarus]

good advice on cutting the pole a bit, but will the dish still get a good signal?!

I have a 1m Patio Mount with a 1.1m Dish and Moteck Motor situated in a very small garden area surrounded by eight foot hedges and it works fine (With limitations at one end of the arc due to trees: And they would be in the way even with a pole as long as yours)

Check on one of the calculator, like Satlex (Others are available!) what the minimum elevation would be at, say, 42E and do a big of crude trigonometry to see if boundary fence/hedges etc can be cleared and the pole cut down.

 

[hexah]

ha ha i bet the neighbours hate seeing it. what colour do you suggest spraying it?! lol

Something like the background - pine green or dark green. Green is good for a garden. :-thumbup

DIY shops have matt car type spray, one can should do the dish and the arm.

i cant move the dish any more back as its on a slope.
im happy its there mate. dont really wanna move it anywhere.

good advice on cutting the pole a bit, but will the dish still get a good signal?!

If you find out the elevation as Tivù said, get a protractor, put it on something level like a spirit level held up to the side of the mast. When you are sure it is level, look along the line of elevation for the lowest satellite you want, say 22 degrees or whatever. Then you can see if something is in the way, and move up a bit to look over it.

This will show how low the bottom of the dish can go.

:-sman

 

[hexah]

As the weight of the dish is a problem you could get a 1m perforated mesh dish, or a heavier aluminum Penta 85.

Both are much lighter than a steel 1m dish.

:-sman2

 

[hexah]

I should also have said that I assume your dish is a LIDL 80cm.

The reason I mentioned the larger dishes is because there is some loss through the diseqc motor because the signal from the LNB goes through it. A lot of people don't know that so end up being disappointed on weaker signals which pop out on a good bit of rain. So I suggest the slightly larger dish to be sure that you will get 1w without any problems.

You might get away with a mesh 90cm instead of a mesh 1m but you would need the Penta 85 over the 68.