Using an actuator: beginners question

Bogger77

I've had a motorized system for years, using the diseq motor. But the current motor has given up the ghost, so I'm going to replace.

I'm thinking of using an Motek V-Box, to take the diseq commands from the receiver, and power a 36V SuperJack. I'm reasoning, it'll be faster to move, and put less strain on the receiver than having to power the motor itself. I'll be switching to a PC receiver soon so the less power needed from the receiver the better. I can place the moteck in the shed, that the motorized dish is mounted to, again reducing cable run of the powered part. All in all, in theory should be a lot faster switching sat's.

Will I need a new Sat mounting bracket, if I switch to an actuator? Current mount is a 2 or 2.5 inch steel tube connected top and bottom to the wall with 3in angle iron. Very solid, and I'd like to keep using it, but I'm worried about how much clearance behind the dish I need, as all the pics of actuator setups I've seen are free standing without a wall 2 feet behind. Wall is pretty much dead on south facing, dish face is parallel to the wall at 1deg. I do have about 2 feet of pole without anything behind, but that's above the ridge of the shed roof, and would be very windy location. I currently have a wind direction and speed monitor from a wireless USB weather station there, and it get's a lot of gusts that the rest of the garden doesn't.

No Pics on this pc to share.

Apogee

If you're switching from a Diseqc motor to a linear actuator, then yes you will need a new polar mount. A polar mount raises/lowers the dish as it moves east/west.

Be aware that 36V actuators require an extra set of two cables to count the pulses from the reed switches.

You will need a reasonable amount of clearance behind the dish, as the actuator swivels as the dish moves.

Also, linear actuators generally have a smaller range of azimuth than diseqc or H-to-H mounts.

You might consider a 36V H-to-H mount - effectively the mount and motor and combined in one. This has the speed of 36V motor with the range of a diseqc motor. Moteck sell a H180. This supposedly works on up to a 180 dish, but in Ireland that's fantasy due to high wind loadings. But a 1.4M or less would be perfectly fine.

amdaley28

Bogger77 wrote: »

I've had a motorized system for years, using the diseq motor. But the current motor has given up the ghost, so I'm going to replace.

I'm thinking of using an Motek V-Box, to take the diseq commands from the receiver, and power a 36V SuperJack. I'm reasoning, it'll be faster to move, and put less strain on the receiver than having to power the motor itself. I'll be switching to a PC receiver soon so the less power needed from the receiver the better. I can place the moteck in the shed, that the motorized dish is mounted to, again reducing cable run of the powered part. All in all, in theory should be a lot faster switching sat's.

Will I need a new Sat mounting bracket, if I switch to an actuator? Current mount is a 2 or 2.5 inch steel tube connected top and bottom to the wall with 3in angle iron. Very solid, and I'd like to keep using it, but I'm worried about how much clearance behind the dish I need, as all the pics of actuator setups I've seen are free standing without a wall 2 feet behind. Wall is pretty much dead on south facing, dish face is parallel to the wall at 1deg. I do have about 2 feet of pole without anything behind, but that's above the ridge of the shed roof, and would be very windy location. I currently have a wind direction and speed monitor from a wireless USB weather station there, and it get's a lot of gusts that the rest of the garden doesn't.

No Pics on this pc to share.

Don't know what size dish you have but if it's 1mt or smaller stick with what you have & just replace the motor.
If you're getting a bigger dish than everything Apogee said applies.

Bogger77

looking at the 36V motor H2H option, do I use a moteck h180 motor, and a V box or another controller to convert low amp diseq from my tuners to 36V to the dish?

space is limited enough behind the dish, if I want to use the shed as a wind shield

Apogee

Bogger77 wrote: »

looking at the 36V motor H2H option, do I use a moteck h180 motor, and a V box or another controller to convert low amp diseq from my tuners to 36V to the dish?

space is limited enough behind the dish, if I want to use the shed as a wind shield

Yes, H180 + VBox is required.

Here is a video of a 36V SMR1224 H-to-H mount (no longer manfuctured) somewhat similar to the H180 - it will give you an idea of what's involved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3I9LxfSvZY

Have a look at this thread on satellites UK for an example of a H180 with an offset dish. You'll see that you need an additional adapter plate (in black) to fit the H180 to an offset.

https://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/threads/setting-up-a-moteck-h180-gtp-1800am-36v-hh-motor.154766/