Sagem Picnic box - power

whizbang

I have been mucking around with the picnic box and aerials, i noticed the picture has been freezing/stuttering (as others have reported). its a very short event so its easy to miss if not aware of it, and it repeats irregularly maybe every minute.
As part of my messing around i used a 12v battery to power it, and noticed the picture was now rock steady. To be honest i didnt run it for too long as it wasnt the issue, and the battery wasnt the best.
However i then used a different plugin transformer to power it - still rock steady -for about as long as i cared to watch. Went back to the supplied power unit and the freezing was back!
Could this be a major part of the problem with these boxes?

breaux

Exact same thing happening to mine since yesterday evening.....picture breaking and no continuity....thought it was just the reception.!

Rippy

whizbang wrote: »

I have been mucking around with the picnic box and aerials, i noticed the picture has been freezing/stuttering (as others have reported). its a very short event so its easy to miss if not aware of it, and it repeats irregularly maybe every minute.
As part of my messing around i used a 12v battery to power it, and noticed the picture was now rock steady. To be honest i didnt run it for too long as it wasnt the issue, and the battery wasnt the best.
However i then used a different plugin transformer to power it - still rock steady -for about as long as i cared to watch. Went back to the supplied power unit and the freezing was back!
Could this be a major part of the problem with these boxes?

Intresting. If the power supply is not stable it could cause problems alright. I will check the output of mine over a period of time and try another regulAted psu on it

whizbang

Further Info!
Sorry, i have been away, and didnt get to post the latest:
When the original power supply is used, it allows the 12volt power to float at 40-60volts above ground. It appears this voltage charges and discharges thro the aerial system, and causes the momentary freeze in picture.
If i connect a wire from the back panel of the box to a ground point, the voltage, and the problem disappears. its also a lot safer.
It wont cure any of the other problems associated with low signal etc, and if your aerial cable is grounded somewhere already, it may not help at all.
worth a try anyway...

gtg60

whizbang wrote: »

If i connect a wire from the back panel of the box to a ground point, the voltage, and the problem disappears. its also a lot safer.
It wont cure any of the other problems associated with low signal etc, and if your aerial cable is grounded somewhere already, it may not help at all.
worth a try anyway...

Are we talking about a ground point (internally) on the unit itself?

whizbang

wire to the screw on the back panel between the aerial connections, and connect th other end to the earth pin of a 3 pin plug. or often 1 or both of the 2 fixing screws of a wall socket are earthed. unscrew them and see if there is a metal insert in the hole.
very interested to know if any difference in quality...

SRB

That's interesting, my entire system is earthed and I haven't had any of the freezing issues with the box which other people have reported, I thought I'd just hit lucky.