Legacy 500 twin switching issue?

[fatkat750]

My aging legacy equipment is failing but I'd like to get a year or two out of it before tossing it all for HD. Let me know what you think.

The system consists a 2700 reciever sotware 862PCAKJ-N with 500 twin @110,119 and a single @ 61.6. I have a SW21 between the twin and single dish.

The 110/119 works some of the time and the 61.5 most of the time.

Below is a typical day:

BEFORE CHECK SWITCH:
• Installed Device__SW21 3-SAT_______
• Satellite 61.5 61.5 X X 119 110
• Polarity/Trans ODD EVEN X X ODD EVEN

Satellite 110° Trans15-51% (RED WRONG SAT- ECHOSTAR 119 WEST) Trans 16-50% (GREEN) Satellite 119°Trans 15-51% (GREEN) Trans 16-51 (GREEN)

Run Check Switch:
• Installed Device__SW21 3-SAT_______
• Satellite 61.5 61.5 X X 110 110
• Polarity/Trans ODD EVEN X X ODD EVEN

AFTER CHECK SWITCH: Satellite 110° Trans 15-35% (RED NOT LOCKED) Trans 16-51% (GREEN) Satellite 119° Trans 15-51% (GREEN) Trans 16-54% (GREEN)

Unchanged (did not try to repoint) The Satellite 61.5° Trans 15-48% (GREEN) Trans 16-47% (GREEN)

Repointing does not improve the 110/119 reception. The dish 500 lnb was replaced by DN techs within the last six months and since then all trees cleared and multiple attempts have been made to repoint. With no improvement.

Is this a switching issue or just need to repoint (again) with the 500 Twin?

Why can't I get above 50% (when first installed 85-92%)and I still get a picture?

Thanks,
Pete

 

[boba]

Try replacing the SW21 especially if it is outdoors. Your Legacy equipment will work with all DISH receivers they are backwards compatible. The 2700 really needs replacement it is so old and slow the guide function must be almost unusuable.

 

[fatkat750]

I had two sw21's that I have changed them in and out of the setup. It seems to work OK but i'll get a new one since both are about six years old.

The 2700 is slow and is most likely causing the strange switching issue with the "new" twin. The switch internal to the twin has me stumped sometimes I get both 110 & 119 displayed on the check switch screen and sometimes it drops one or puts both on the same sat number with different polarity. In all cases it will show all satellites and the signal strenth on the screen even if the check switch does not find it.

Thanks for your input,
Pete

 

[boba]

Try running the Twin in directly without the 61.5 and SW-21 and see if signal and reliability improve. You can use a barrel(F-81) connector to replace the SW21.

 

[fatkat750]

Sorry I left that info out in an attempt to keep my question shorter.

I have tried to connect the reciever directly to the twin using a 6' RG6 cable. It would make repointing the dish much easier.

I can't get the receiver to recognize the dish when it's connected directly outside. The reciever works in the house and the cheap signal meter shows the same signal strength before and after I connect the reciever close but I can't get any signal reading the tv on both 110/119.

Looks like a great time to update.

 

[Mike500]

If the sw21's are outside, it is more likely than not, that the connectors are corroded of that water has gotten into the sw21's.

The sw21 is one of the stablest and most durable switches. Its Achille's Heel is water or weather exposure. I've always put them under eaves or into weatherproof boxes,

 

[fatkat750]

Thanks alot. I'll change out the SW21 and let you know. Both have seen alot of time out side.

 

[Mike500]

The original Made in Japan legacy twin dating back to June 2000 is probably one of the most durable and stable lnb's in the field. Dish has had a lot of troble with DishPro and DishPro +plus twins.

The main problem is a component called a DRO oscillator that causes a problem called LNB drift. These need replacemant if severe lnb drift is noted.

I have NOT seen lnb drift in the legacy twin or in the dual lnb and sw21.

I have installed hundreds of the others. For my own system, I have the same setup as you do. It is my own choice, because I NEVER have to worry about servicing it. I have enough to do servicing the others.

 

[boba]

The original Made in Japan legacy twin dating back to June 2000 is probably one of the most durable and stable lnb's in the field. Dish has had a lot of troble with DishPro and DishPro +plus twins.

The main problem is a component called a DRO oscillator that causes a problem called LNB drift. These need replacemant if severe lnb drift is noted.

I have NOT seen lnb drift in the legacy twin or in the dual lnb and sw21.

I have installed hundreds of the others. For my own system, I have the same setup as you do. It is my own choice, because I NEVER have to worry about servicing it. I have enough to do servicing the others.

You know Mike I have basically the same setup for the same reasons. I have a quad instead of a Twin.

Back to Fatkat's post you say you tried going directly to the receiver with a 6' cable and got nothing. Did you run a switch test with nothing connected to clear the switch matrix? Connecting directly to the dish should produce a signal and tell you if it needs a realignment.

 

[fatkat750]

Errr.. "run the switch test with nothing connected"? No I did not.

I ran the check switch test with the 6' cable connected directly with a new barrel connector to the single cable on the 500 twin.

It would show me there was no switch attached but there was no sat indicated after the "check switch test" or on the "signal meter" screen.

It has been a while since I've done this. From what I remember as long as I ran the check switch after moving and connecting the receiver I was all set.

Worth one more try.