Slimline Ice Buildup Newbie question

[mjmsr53]

I am only about 2 weeks or so into the dish thing and I have a question about keeping ice off the dish.

I live in an apartment and have the dish mounted on my balcony. It is hanging over the railing. Yesterday I lost a signal due to ice buildup (first snow). I removed the ice and all is fine, but how do I keep it off?

The problem is that the roof is dripping water onto the dish and at night when the temp drops, the ice builds up. This occurs "after" I sprayed it fairly well with Silicone - which does not appear to work for me.

The water is running off the dish fairly well, but it begins to slow and then freeze as the temp drops.

I know I can remove the ice, but I am afraid after a number of times, I might throw the dish out of alignment. I'd rather spend a few bucks (very few) and try to heat the dish up slightly. Which brings me to my question.

Has anyone tried the cable heaters that people use for roofs? I came across some for under 40 bucks and was thinking about that, but am afraid I might create interference of some sort with the signal.

I really cannot afford much more than that at this time..so any feedback or advice is sincerely appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[jcrandall]

Hot water in a supersoaker gun is great for removing it.

Not sure how well the heaters work. I'd probably just stick with shooting it off every time you get a good freeze.

Some have had success with dish covers, they're like a big bag that is form-fitted for the dish.

 

[Techfizzle]

BBB! Big Black garbage bag! It doesnt antenuate signal its black so it heats up in the sun. If that doesnt work buy some pipe heater tape and tape it to the back of the dish

 

[Jimbo]

Problem with heater tape is the quantity that it comes in, it tells you to NOT cross the lines.

How about asking the landlord to put up a small GUTTER so you don't have to deal with water / ice build up on YOUR balcony ?

Super soaker with RV antifreeze ?

Try here:

Montana Satellite Supply - Satellite Dish Covers, Satellite Dish Heaters & more!

Jimbo

 

[cforrest]

If he has an eletrical outlet on the patio somewhere a dish heater would be the way to go to for dealing with the issue. Pick one from the link in Jimbo's post!

 

[Jimbo]

$ 89.- $ 159 depending on how serious you want to get.

Make sure you get the one with the thermostat on it,if you go this route, you can also unplug it when it's not practical.
I'm not sure that I would go with the variety that goes on top of the dish, I like the one that goes on the BACK of the dish.

Jimbo

 

[mjmsr53]

$ 89.- $ 159 depending on how serious you want to get.

Make sure you get the one with the thermostat on it,if you go this route, you can also unplug it when it's not practical.
I'm not sure that I would go with the variety that goes on top of the dish, I like the one that goes on the BACK of the dish.

Jimbo

Thanks for the insight.

I did go to hardware store and looked around. I found some pipe heaters that I thought would work, but I was not comfortable because the wires may come n contact with water. I also looked at the gutter heaters but I do not need 60 feet of it.

I applied a good coat of RainX. We'll see what happens, supposed to get some rain/snow tonight. It will be a good test.

It's not that big of a deal, the dish is in arms reach so I will just pour hot water on it for now. Maybe after the holidays I'll check out the heaters that are specifically made for a satellite.

My brother in law sprayed WD40 on his (also newbie and lives in same complex and suffered the same prob). We'll see how that works.

My real only concern is whacking the dish out of cal by brushing it so much. Being a newbie to this, I am being very cautious.

Thanks again!
Mike