Tips for motorising a satellite dish

[sterbik]

Hi everyone.

A few months ago I thought, I could buy another LNB so I could put it on my existing 120 cm KU-band dish to receive 19.2 east. I already have one LNB on that dish pointing to 1 West (DigiTV). Then I realized that the online shop -where I bought my previous satellite equipment- isn't selling satellite stuff anymore and after that I noticed that the nearest satellite store is about 40Km -or more- from me. That's a bit far and I don't have any time now to travel.
So I cant get an LNB from a trusted seller.

I forgot to mention that I have a brand new actuator motor. I got it on last summer, but to this day I'm still unable to put it on my dish, because I don't have a clue how to do it.
I just have the motor, some bolts and that metal holder located on the motor's arm.
This is how it looks like:
_http://www.made-in-china.com/image/2f0j00NhEaCuQcaTmvM/Satellite-Actuator-Motor-18-.jpg[/url]

If anyone needs the model and other information about it, here it is:
HARL-3618+
-Linear Actuator Reed Sensor
*36V Motor 18 inch Stroke Length


I heard that these type of motors work well with a KU-band dish. Do I have to buy the other accessories or I can "make" one myself at home. Sorry for asking this kind of question, but I'm new to motorized systems.
I think these type of motors aren't popular enough, because I can't find a single website, where they explain how do these work. This was the only type on the online store.

Maybe I could buy the LNB (I will if that's my only choice), but here is a new motor which would make me able to watch more channels, but I can't because I don't know how to set it up.

My dish is currently on an average dish holder. I don't want to buy another motor (H-H or any other), because I already have one.

So, can I do something with this motor or I should just go and buy a LNB....somewhere?


Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[wod]

what make of dish do you have ? can you take a picture ?

[robbo71]

Hi Sterbik,

Right, I couldn't tell you how to set it up as I'm using an H-H motor, but to use a linear actuator like that, you are going to need a "Polar mount" for your dish. The normal az/el mount is not suitable.

The polar mount allows the dish to swivel on an adjustable axis, that you carefully align to the earths polar axis. If you are unable to procure or get one constructed, then that actuator is useless. Yo would be better off buying a 36V H-H motor or a Diseqc H-H motor

Also to be able to use 36V, your receiver needs to have a 36V capability, or buy an additional V-Box ( about £40 in the UK).


Adding another LNB might be an option, but you might be asking a bit too much of your dish to get 1W and 19.2E on it, since you are near the edge of the footprint for some of the transponders. Trying it out will be the only way to fingd out for sure.

Robbo

[sterbik]

Originally Posted by wod

what make of dish do you have ? can you take a picture ?

It's a 120 cm KU band dish with a simple Azimuth/Elevation mount.
Yes, I can take pictures, but only on Friday or Saturday. Too bad I don't have free time now for this. :-/

[sterbik]

Originally Posted by robbo71

Hi Sterbik,

Right, I couldn't tell you how to set it up as I'm using an H-H motor, but to use a linear actuator like that, you are going to need a "Polar mount" for your dish. The normal az/el mount is not suitable.

Adding another LNB might be an option, but you might be asking a bit too much of your dish to get 1W and 19.2E on it, since you are near the edge of the footprint for some of the transponders. Trying it out will be the only way to fingd out for sure.

No, that should not be a problem, because I already have two LNBs pointing to 1 west. -On Two different dishes. before I turned my dish to 1 West, It was on Astra 19.2 E and I could watch all the channels with no problem.
I know that on 1 West is a Nordic Provider, so I don't want to watch those channels, only DigiTV.
But I haven't decided yet what to do. 1 LNB is only one satellite, but with a motor I can get lots of them.... Although a LNB is much easier too install, but I just cant watch my motor as it gathers dust in the house.

My biggest problem is with the polar mount bracket. I don't have one and it's just impossible to get one. I may search for one in the newspapers, maybe someone is selling one. I've seen a few polar mounts in my city that look exactly like mine, but those are made by professionals and who knows where did those servicemen get the components.
At my place many people don't have satellite systems. Some of them is happy with Cable TV (it sucks, btw.) and others subscribe to a satellite provider (like me). Just a few people are interested in these stuff. :-/

The only way I could get one bracket at the moment is to make one. I've seen a couple of pictures about homemade polar mounts.
I just don't know where and how to start. I've been searching on Google for days now, trying to get some tips on how to make a bracket, but no luck.
It's just weird that the online store had a motor, but not the other, required parts for it..

[robbo71]

I have only seen one homemade polar mount and it was made for a member on here :- crossbones, by a mate of his. I am not sure if has posted a picture of it on here, he certainly has on another forum, I will see if I can find exactly where I saw it.

It was here:-
_http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellite/picture-members-setups-general-satellite-installations/84340-my-home-made-c-master-mount.html

it was for a 1.8 channel master though.