Ice buildup on LNB - Straw that broke camels back

[iBoston]

We have been getting dumped with snow. Last night my son is complaining because PBS @ 125w went bye bye.

This morning i checked my TP locks for that dish. I got a lock on 121 and nothing on 125 or 118. So i climb up on the storage container and sure enough, there is snow blockage. So, i shoveled all the snow away and everything looked good. I did notice a piece of ice on the 118w lnb plastic cover. It was froze solid as i could not gently brush it off. I come back inside and i can now lock 125, but i cannot lock 118. So, i took the extension cord and a blow dryer up there and melted the ice piece off thinking (can that piece of ice really block the signal). I walk back inside, and solid lock no issues.

I share this because it was a learning moment for me. The ice was about the the thickness of a worm and the length of about 1/2 inch. I questioned me climbing up there with a blow dryer thinking i was probably wasting my time. I thought either it was a weather moment, or the snow weighted down the coax cables hanging down from the lnbf and pulled it off tune. Nope, wasted thoughts.... Just a little chunk of ice.

I've also noticed that the lake effect snow does not seem to effect signal AT ALL. Even 30w for me which cuts through more horizontal yields me no signal loss. I can say i only notice this because of my fixed dishes i installed this summer.

 

[Titanium]

Each fall I apply a good coat of Rain Shield to the LNB feedhorn covers. Sheeting water, snow or ice on the cover of the feedhorn opening will attenuate signal much more than falling rain / snow, cloud cover or accumulation on the reflector.

RainX works well also. Just don't use products like Pam or WD40. Oil based products are like glue for dirt and insects. Bio oils turn rancid.

 

[iBoston]

Santa, please add Rain Shield to my stocking....

 

[Jim S.]

I've also noticed that the lake effect snow does not seem to effect signal AT ALL. Even 30w for me which cuts through more horizontal yields me no signal loss. I can say i only notice this because of my fixed dishes i installed this summer.

I don't get lake-effect snow here, but usually storm loss happens from a serious wall of water like a thunderstorm. Anything less usually means it's time to check the alignment

Santa, please add Rain Shield to my stocking....

I don't know about Rain Sheld, but RainX recommends applying it when it's warm -- but I've never tried it in the cold. (I've also never wiped it down like they tell you to, just sprayed it on heavy and let it run off...)

 

[iBoston]

Our entire month of December and January, we never see the sun. I wasn't sure how my 36" fixed dishes were going to handle the heavy fog and lake effect snow we get. So far, it appears to have no effect, which is great. But, i will probably have to add shoveling weekly to my chores list.

 

[Titanium]

I remember a few guys in heavy snow areas of the Cascade mountains in the NW who mounted 12V motors with offset weighted flywheels. When it was time to clear snow from the dish, they would move the dish to the horizon and run the shaker!

 

[iBoston]

I remember a few guys in heavy snow areas of the Cascade mountains in the NW who mounted 12V motors with offset weighted flywheels. When it was time to clear snow from the dish, they would move the dish to the horizon and run the shaker!

That's funny... That's a professional tinker!

 

[Titanium]

There was a consumer BUD shaker sold for a few years. Only saw of them displayed at trade shows. Not sure if many were sold.

I'm sure that they could weaken or destroy a junk dish pretty easily!

 

[waylew]

A few years ago we had this;

I used this to deal with it;

 

[Keith Brannen]

RainX/Rain Shield might help at times (I've used RainX in the past), but it all depends on the type and amount of snow. Yesterday we had heavy, wet, sticky snow continuously for the whole day (I shovelled four times yesterday, each time shovelling at least 2-3 or more inches). What happens with that type of snow (and little to no wind) is that, besides attaching itself to the dish, it builds up on top of the LNB and on top of the LNB arm and ends up totally covering the LNB all the while forming ice. RainX/Rain Shield will not help at all in those situations.

I have a broom that I attach to a pole, part of my roof (snow) rake, that I use to brush off not only the dish, but, more importantly, the LNB and LNB arm. I can reach all dishes, except one (30W), from the ground, and just let 30W suffer (no way I am getting out a ladder to climb a back roof to get to it!). Still might have signal loss (especially since with that type of snow you can't get the dish totally clean) but it will come back quicker.

Anyhow, get a broom (and extension pole, if needed) and pay special attention to the LNB and LNB arm to prevent as much build-up as possible to avoid ice on the LNB face.

 

[Titanium]

In the NW mountain snow zones, we would wrap the LNBF body, top of the support arm and pattern the back of the reflector with low voltage heat tape. Set the thermostat to lick in at about 45F. Would keep the dish in service through all but the most heavy snow and prevented ice build-ups.

 

[Bronxiniowa]

Reminding me why I switched to cable ...

 

[iBoston]

Reminding me why I switched to cable ...

Well, that's no fun...

 

[Bronxiniowa]

No . . . but I haven't been snowed out, iced out or thunderstormed out since I switched, and I haven't had to go up on the roof either.

 

[Titanium]

A trip to the bank, a trip to the dish. Life is filled with choices...

 

[iBoston]

Yea, i'd rather keep the money in the bank. Plus, its a means to getting my arse off the couch, and that's always a good thing.

 

[Bronxiniowa]

Assume y'all don't have a dish on a pitched roof . . .

 

[iBoston]

Assume y'all don't have a dish on a pitched roof . . .

I put mine on deck and mostly on storage container. Easy to access.

 

[Bronxiniowa]

Unfortunately our deck faces north, not south. And our south-facing front yard also faces tall mature oaks. The roof is really our only option.

 

[Wms-Stargate]

Good thread and I learned something. I'm certainly going to keep the dish's on the ground now.