Coolsat 5000 doesn't like multiswitch

[Mr Tony]

OK this is confusing me and hopefully I can get some help

Recently the Coolsat 5000 will not pick up the H side form the C-band. It really never did (it would work sporadically) but the last week or so nada

setup for the 5000 is such
receiver------------motor----diseqc----LNB's
diseqc port 1 is the KU Band
diseqc port 2 is DBS
diseqc port 3 is Universal (pas 9)
diseqc port 4 is from the multiswitch for C-band
run from multiswitch to diseqc is about 50 feet then maybe 25 feet into house

Both lines from C-Band into a 3x4 multi and 3 outputs are used to go to the Coolsat, the Quali & the Visionsat. Both the Q and visionsat get both polarities just fine. But the Coolsat will not get H side. Only way to get H side is to power on one of the other 2 boxes on the H side of channels. Tried new multiswitch and same thing..

so I disconnected the multiswitch and ran the 2 outputs to the Q and the Coolsat and now the Coolsat gets both polarities fine

Why would it not work before???? Gremlins??

 

[Anole]

diagnostic:

This was a 2-output C-band only LNB something like this one??
Probably got Vertical polarity signals, not that you'd be in any shape to tell.

I would say the Coolsat didn't supply enough voltage through the motor, the diseqc switch, and into the 3x4 to get it to work properly AND trigger the LNB into Horizontal mode.
I'd blame accumulated voltage drops and bad switching points at all the following places:
- receiver
- motor
- diseqc switch
- 3x4 switch
- dual-output LNBf

I'd have put in a powered 3x4, or left one of the other receivers on.
But, I tend to leave receivers on whether I use them or not, so I'd have been very intermittent, and I'd probably have cussed it for weeks!

There are more than I/R voltage drops through all the switches.
The 3x4 especially needs good voltages at its input to properly signal the LNB.

Only way to get H side is to power on one of the other 2 boxes on the H side of channels.

And that's why I'm not a big believer in unpowered switches - especially multiswitches.

edit: oh, and you might try swapping the coax cables at the LNB.
I doubt it'd help, but ya never know. Might be the LNB.

 

[Mr Tony]

This was a 2-output C-band only LNB something like this one??
Probably got Vertical polarity signals, not that you'd be in any shape to tell.

the same one

edit: oh, and you might try swapping the coax cables at the LNB.

tried that and nothing.

I doubt it'd help, but ya never know. Might be the LNB.

if I bypass the switch it works just fine.

oh well...guess the computer room doesn't get the nets

 

[Anole]

Look for a powered multiswitch,
. . . or . . . assuming there is a free output on the multiswitch . . .
hook 18..20 volts to it.

A recycled laptop power supply has about the right voltage and is way overkill for current.
If you come up with a 24 volt supply, we could make that work, too.
Current requirements would be 100 ma, or just enough to drive the LNBf
Do you have a decommissioned Dish receiver? -

You could use any sort of a poor excuse for a power inserter.
Maybe something like an RF choke between the voltage source and the output coax port...
It would be worth brainstorming the details, but only if you have a spare output port on the 3x4.

edit: here are the published specs for that LNBf -
Polarization selection: Horiz: 16~18V; Vert: 12~14.5V
Wouldn't surprise me a bit that you lost a couple of volts through all those goodies.

 

[Fizbi]

Hi impedance leakage path in coax connector?
Bad coax?
Dirt or water contamination?

 

[Mr Tony]

Bad coax?

brand new..ran about 3 weeks ago with new compression connectors

Dirt or water contamination?

nope.