Can't get digital lock on 922.

[highskies]

Yesterday we had a power outage in the neighborhood. The electric co had that resolved within an hour or two. So when the 922 comes back on, the clock is about an hour and a half off. Usually I don't use my 922 these days, except as a dish mover for dvb signals, and the external clock via the front panel. So the first thing I did was to go to X4 @ 105 W, except I wasn't getting a digital lock on anything. So I decided to verify that I was indeed at that location, which I did verify with the Openbox S9 and the fact the S2 NBC feeds were working like a charm.

The next thing I then did was switch back to the 922, and then went to C4. The shopping chs on tr 9 and 10 were coming in like a charm. So I then tried 600. No lock. I finally went back to X4 and parked it on 901, but no lock. Within an hour or two the clock somehow started displaying the correct time again. This has me puzzled since all I'm seeing on the screen is ...looking for channel...but no dc lock. Does anybody have a clue how to fix this, and why I can't get a digital lock on anything anymore?

 

[mikekohl]

You might want to go into the diagnostics and see if your unit ID number still matches the number on the decal at rear of receiver. If it does not, there is a good chance that your lithium battery dropped below critical voltage during your power outage, and has permanently lost the ID number. Should this be the case, the receiver is now useless for subscription reception, although will still pick up analog signals and control satellite and polarity. If you were not using this 4DTV for subscription reception, it may now be time to try and locate another IRD that has polarity control (servo motor connections)...or switch to a V-Box and use a C-band LNBF in tandem with an MPEG receiver such as the Manhattan RS-1933.

 

[highskies]

You might want to go into the diagnostics and see if your unit ID number still matches the number on the decal at rear of receiver. If it does not, there is a good chance that your lithium battery dropped below critical voltage during your power outage, and has permanently lost the ID number. Should this be the case, the receiver is now useless for subscription reception, although will still pick up analog signals and control satellite and polarity. If you were not using this 4DTV for subscription reception, it may now be time to try and locate another IRD that has polarity control (servo motor connections)...or switch to a V-Box and use a C-band LNBF in tandem with an MPEG receiver such as the Manhattan RS-1933.

Since making this post I rechecked the 922, now everything is working fine again. Really strange. This particular model is the GI. I've had it for 10 or 15 years at least, I think. Never have replaced the battery. Sooner or later my luck is going to run out. I would change it myself if I could trust nothing would go wrong. I wonder what the failure rate is, in regards to folks trying to do this procedure themselves?

 

[ken2400]

If you have a good surge bar and or a UPS it might be worth putting the 922 on them.
I have see posts about changing out the battery.

Good luck.

 

[Candid]

Since making this post I rechecked the 922, now everything is working fine again. Really strange. This particular model is the GI. I've had it for 10 or 15 years at least, I think. Never have replaced the battery. Sooner or later my luck is going to run out. I would change it myself if I could trust nothing would go wrong. I wonder what the failure rate is, in regards to folks trying to do this procedure themselves?

I am no technician but I watch the video and change mine myself without a problem. The hardest part was removing all the screws to get the board out.

I think you are running on borrowed time if the time you indicated of 10-15 years are correct.

Candid

 

[rrob311]

Since making this post I rechecked the 922, now everything is working fine again. Really strange. This particular model is the GI. I've had it for 10 or 15 years at least, I think. Never have replaced the battery. Sooner or later my luck is going to run out. I would change it myself if I could trust nothing would go wrong. I wonder what the failure rate is, in regards to folks trying to do this procedure themselves?

I changed mine and it was easy. There is extra spots next to the battery to mount the new one. I used an AA size lithium 3.6v battery and a AA battery holder. Cost like 10$ + solder.

 

[Asket]

Since making this post I rechecked the 922, now everything is working fine again. Really strange. This particular model is the GI. I've had it for 10 or 15 years at least, I think. Never have replaced the battery. Sooner or later my luck is going to run out. I would change it myself if I could trust nothing would go wrong. I wonder what the failure rate is, in regards to folks trying to do this procedure themselves?

First check out your soldering skills. Practice on any junked board. Batteries in a flash and others can supply your batteries. You tube has instructions. Warning: Wear eye protection and arm protection.

If your shootin sparks this would not be a day to do it. One finger spark will dork the board. As soon as the new battery is in get the old one out fast. It will discarge the new battery really fast and it is a dangerous situation. Plan the logistics of disconnect beforehand and have all tools at ready!

It really is not that hard with a little planning. Good Luck

 

[Pittsville]

I can sadly count myself among the failure rate. The battery change went fine. Against good advice I tried to reinstall the useless cage that holds the obsolete descrambler. I did it because my receiver didn't come with a back panel to cover the opening where the descramble module was, so I was going to use it just to block up the hole. Anyway there are two connectors that go to the cage and I put them in the wrong spots. I tried to guess where they went by the lay of the wires, and I thought it wouldn't matter as long as I didn't put the module in. It did matter. My 922 is dead now. I could have put the cage in and left the connectors unconnected, but...... I've also read that the battery in the descrambler can leak and damage the receiver, another reason not to put it back in there.

 

[Dishman Dan]

I can sadly count myself among the failure rate. The battery change went fine. Against good advice I tried to reinstall the useless cage that holds the obsolete descrambler. I did it because my receiver didn't come with a back panel to cover the opening where the descramble module was, so I was going to use it just to block up the hole. Anyway there are two connectors that go to the cage and I put them in the wrong spots. I tried to guess where they went by the lay of the wires, and I thought it wouldn't matter as long as I didn't put the module in. It did matter. My 922 is dead now. I could have put the cage in and left the connectors unconnected, but...... I've also read that the battery in the descrambler can leak and damage the receiver, another reason not to put it back in there.

I am sorry to hear of your loss. This is considered one of those dumb things that we all try and learn from. You are a hero when something turns out great but considered a fool for trying after something miserably fails. I hope you can find another receiver that is reasonably priced. They have been really high priced on Ebay lately! I was tempted to reinstall my cage and module in February when I heard TWC was available. The thing that stopped me is that a local electronic hacker freind wanted the connectors that hook up the modules and I gave him all that I had. And today I had my wife take the modules to the trash dumpster and I threw the cages into a scrap hopper! The scrap proceeds are going to a Geosat micro HD receiver!

 

[Pittsville]

Thanks for the sympathy!

I am sorry to hear of your loss. This is considered one of those dumb things that we all try and learn from. You are a hero when something turns out great but considered a fool for trying after something miserably fails. I hope you can find another receiver that is reasonably priced. They have been really high priced on Ebay lately! I was tempted to reinstall my cage and module in February when I heard TWC was available. The thing that stopped me is that a local electronic hacker freind wanted the connectors that hook up the modules and I gave him all that I had. And today I had my wife take the modules to the trash dumpster and I threw the cages into a scrap hopper! The scrap proceeds are going to a Geosat micro HD receiver!

So, the module have been usable for TWC? I thought there was no use for them anymore. Would it have to be subscribed or authorized or something for TWC?

I've been looking at 922's on eBay and you're right,they keep going up since the day I worked on mine. It seems like every week they're selling for higher bids. I was planning to subscribe to a few channels and I was interested in Map Master, but I'm not sure if I really want to get another 922 after what I have been through. I have a 4500x that I can use to experiment with DCII, but it's kind of a pain to tune it. I think it's good enough for now to satisfy my interest in DC II. I need a dish mover, and my next receiver I get will hopefully be a Geosat micro HD. I think I can get both for less than or close to the cost of another 922, and I know I would get a lot more use out of them.

 

[Dishman Dan]

So, the module have been usable for TWC? I thought there was no use for them anymore. Would it have to be subscribed or authorized or something for TWC?

For some strange reason TWC did open up (With the Videpcipher module) last month for a short time. Otherwise there is/was no use for them.

 

[Dishman Dan]

A few years go I watch my first 922 die on the operating table! I did ot feel confident enough to do the battery change out myself so I had someone with a great electronic background do it. He unhooked the battery for a good minute even though I instructed him not to!!!

 

[highskies]

They have been really high priced on Ebay lately!

I noticed that as well. Why exactly would these be in demand now, that it causes people to want to pay an arm and an leg for them? I figured by now you could get them for 5 or 10 bucks all day long. Doesn't seem to be the case at all for some reason.

 

[Dishman Dan]

Why exactly would these be in demand now, that it causes people to want to pay an arm and an leg for them?

It might have something to do with those clever "M&M" guys!

 

[Asket]

I can sadly count myself among the failure rate. The battery change went fine. Against good advice I tried to reinstall the useless cage that holds the obsolete descrambler. I did it because my receiver didn't come with a back panel to cover the opening where the descramble module was, so I was going to use it just to block up the hole. Anyway there are two connectors that go to the cage and I put them in the wrong spots. I tried to guess where they went by the lay of the wires, and I thought it wouldn't matter as long as I didn't put the module in. It did matter. My 922 is dead now. I could have put the cage in and left the connectors unconnected, but...... I've also read that the battery in the descrambler can leak and damage the receiver, another reason not to put it back in there.

That is a sorry state of affairs. Actually I did the VC2 replacement first for practice. Forgot to note that there are a few parts to the needed disassembly so keeping a record of where everything goes is important. Mark all connections so they go back exactly! Keep the VC2 cage intact just in case something comes along that will go there. :behindsofa:

 

[highskies]

It might have something to do with those clever "M&M" guys!

You lost me. What do you mean those clever "M&M" guys!?

 

[Dishman Dan]

You lost me. What do you mean those clever "M&M" guys!?

Check your PM!

 

[joshrr]

Dishman dan. Can U pm me too? Im really confused at the high price. Id sub to Hits if i could find one for a reasonable price but thats all i thought they were good for now. I think u can load new maps in them now but the stuff is still encrypted?

 

[stargaze]

While everyone wants to save $$$ sometimes it is much less of a hassle to just have someone else who knows how to change out the batteries do it.
I had ATS Electronics change out one or two in the past and they are top notch to do business with.

with these receivers getting more valuable and more rare to find you really need to ask if the risk is worth it all.
Those who are running on "borrowed time" by not having their batteries replaced will find out much sooner then later how it could have been if only they would have heeded the sage advice from others who have been saying to change out those batteries now and not later.

Used to be Motorola would replace the board or chip with a new unit id number in it but that is no longer the case when you lose that unit id number. Motorola has washed their hands of these receivers and could care less what happens to them now.
That comes from the folks at ATS Electronics who have tried to get Motorola to put in new unit ids for peoples receivers.
I lost one 920 unit id by waiting too long so I can speak from experience, I was however lucky to have 6 other 4D receivers here that are used on other dishes so I now no longer have a spare one when one needs to be taken off and have something done to it.


Maybe I should try going on e-bay and bid up one or two of these 4d receivers so I can have a spare and help increase the cost of them a bit...

 

[highskies]

While everyone wants to save $$$ sometimes it is much less of a hassle to just have someone else who knows how to change out the batteries do it.
I had ATS Electronics change out one or two in the past and they are top notch to do business with.

with these receivers getting more valuable and more rare to find you really need to ask if the risk is worth it all.
Those who are running on "borrowed time" by not having their batteries replaced will find outmuch sooner then later how it could have been if only they would have heeded the sage advice from others who have been saying to change out those batteries now and not later.

Used to be Motor

ola would replace the board or chip with a new unit id number in it but that is no longer the case when you lose that unit id number. Motorola has washed their hands of these receivers and could care less what happens to them now.
That comes from the folks at ATS Electronics who have tried to get Motorola to put in new unit ids for peoples receivers.
I lost one 920 unit id by waiting too long so I can speak from experience, I was however lucky to have 6 other 4D receivers here that are used on other dishes so I now no longer have a spare one when one needs to be taken off and have something done to it.


Maybe I should try going on e-bay and bid up one or two of these 4d receivers so I can have a spare and help increase the cost of them a bit...

I'm one who is living on borrowed time, no doubt. I thought about doing this, but after what Asket said here..

If your shootin sparks this would not be a day to do it. One finger spark will dork the board. As soon as the new battery is in get the old one out fast. It will discarge the new battery really fast and it is a dangerous situation.

..well I'm even more reluctant to try it now...especially the dangerous situation part. It's not the success rate that concerns me, it's the failure rate. And like they say..if it aint broke, don't fix it.

On a side note, since I didn't want to start a new thread to ask this question, but has anyone with a 922, but isn't subbed to anything, did your clock on the 922 spring forward over the past cpl of days? Mine still hasn't. I even parked it on X4 with a good dc lock for 2 days..still wouldn't change.