Motorised or Multi LNB

[Euler]

Hi

I recently setup my first satellite system, with a technomate 5400 and a triax 88 dish, currently pointing at astra 1 (28.2).

I am now thinking of going motorised, but to be honest only after a couple of other satellites. At first i was going to get a technomate multi-bracket and 4 lnb's, but this appears to be approx £80. I can get a Motech motor for £40 (from a supplier on this site), so my question is given the price of motors why would anyone but a multi-bracket system?

Are motors not very reliable?

Any advice greatly appreciated, thanks

[Robbo]

Motors offer a far wider range of satelites than a multifeed bracket does.

But if you only want a few, that are close enough together to get on a single dish, then that is a better option.

A Triax bracket is only about £15, plus the cost of the LNBS and the Diseqc switch, both of which can be purchased fairly cheaply on ebay. So you are only talking approx £40, about the same as a motor.

The advantage of multi- LNB is that channel change is almost instant, as you don't have to wait for the dish to move.

Motorised dishes can be more troublesome to set up, but once done, they can be fairly reliable, as long as it is not a very large dish in a harshly exposed position.

To be honest, I quite like the advantages of both setups, so I have both.

[bamjames]

this is a thing im thinking about myself.

another thing to take into consideration with the multi lnb thing is extra cable and a switch

would it be worth it to go for a expensive motor with steel gears or would it be better going for a cheaper 1 with plastic gears

i kinda want the multi lnb but im finding out about satellites everyday with FTA sports

Robbo 1 thing this site needs is a guide about how to set up a multinb dish

[Robbo]

The extra cabling involved is not too much hassle. I use the Snap & seal connectors with a stripper tool, and it is a breeze. A 4-way Diseqc can be picked up dirt cheap flom fleabay.

Originally Posted by bamjames

Robbo 1 thing this site needs is a guide about how to set up a multinb dish

The problem with that, is it depends on what dish is used and thus which bracket. The priciple is the same whatever, but there are practical considerations depending on the multibracket used. It also depends on which satellites you want to set it up for. I have used the Triax multiblock on 3 installations so far, and each one was different.

If anyone wants help with a multiblock, they only need post on here and I, or whoever else is around can help.

I have heard of people using the nylon geared Moteck for 5 years or more without a problem, they are also fairly quiet.

I think that the Stab motors use metal gears.

Incidentally, there is also the Dark Motor which has metal gears, unfortunately, I have heard from an installer that I know that it is not up to much. ( His actual words,I cannot type, as the word censor would *** out all the letters)


To be honest, after messing about with mult-LNB set-ups for a while, I am starting to favour them a little, but it depends if you have the inclination and the space to set a few up. I'm currently toying with the idea of getting rid of my motor, and using 2x1m dishes, each with 5 LNBs on them, but I have yet to work out a suitable configuration, ensuring that I get all the satellites that I want. I think 3 dishes with 4 -LNBs on each would be ideal, but I can't get away with it.

[bamjames]

how do the motors stand up in the wind would you get bad signal in the wind?

if the satellite is on a wall that the fitter(me) thought was well sheltered only to find out it has gale force winds most days of the week would it be better to get a steel gear motor?or just leave on its own?

just how noisy can a motor be?if lets say the motor is out side the window,the window is shut would you hear it inside the window

[bamjames]

the 1 advantage of the motor is you dont ever know exactly what you want if your a beginner, for me the advantage of the motor is theres are satellites that i might want to pickup once or twice a month or just a 1 off for a rugby game or a other sport

im really thinking about a motor now with the winter setting in,soon i really dont want to see my ladder again til march,because it will be too cold,wet and windy!

[Robbo]

If the wind is really strong I suppose,in the end something would have to give way. I have not experienced anything of this sort as mine is pretty sheltered.

If set up properly,with a 'normal' sized dish, the movement of the dish in 'normal' wind would have little effect. However if the dish is a bit 'off' then a little bit of wind sway could make the signal drop below an acceptable level, which can occur equally with a fixed dish. The smaller the dish, the less it is affeted as its beamwidth is wider.

The nylon geared Motecks are quieter than metal gears. I used to hear my Stab hh-90 a bit when I had it on the house wall, but now I have it in the garden and I don't hear a dickie bird, the Moteck was the same.

[bamjames]

but at the end of the day the stab with metal gears would be a better investment?

im 1 of the, if your doing something, do i once and do it right! type guys!