Satellite equipment maintenance

[josht5]

We haven't had a Maintenance related Topic for a good while, so what I found today whilst prowling the farm trying to get inspiration for a major re-jig might form a worthy basis for a new discussion.

I have two H-H DiSEqC Motorised Installations here, one being a five year old Fortec Turner (Motek Clone) on a Patio Mount, driving a TD110 and the other a seven year old Motek on an exposed gable end, driving a modest 80cm dish.

I have been debating putting the TD110 back up on the gable end instead of the 80cm, which would necessitate strengthening by the addition of a further bracket to supplement the existing 12" T&K.

So I climbed up on by Boiler House roof to get access and see how feasible my plan is and I discovered that the Motor Bracket was severely corroded, with large chunks of the coating flaking off all over the shop. Clamps and fasteners were also in a degraded condition.

Hmm, thinks I and went and found my Kurust and gave it all a good coat of that.

I descended to ground level and had a look at the other Motor: Perfect nick.

So, either the clone is better finished than the original, or (Far more likely), the exposure of the gable end system has had a significant affect on condition.

I've been a bit remiss of late in keeping an eye on things as they've not needed any tweaking or post-storm attention and I've increasingly adopted the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" methodology.

What have you done to service your old installation ?

[rizwan]

Re: Satellite equipment maintenance

I am also like to Service motor of my Dish, if some one explain with illustration

[kalpikos]

Re: Satellite equipment maintenance

Hi

I think that a motorized dish needs some maintenance, especially the motor.
I don't know exactly if you can put some kind of oil in it or not.

As about the fixed dish, the only maintenance I do every 1-2 years is to check for moisture into the f-connectors edge of the cables.

[josht5]

Re: Satellite equipment maintenance

Well, the biggest problem with metal is that it rusts , so if you can have a aluminium or fibreglass dish face it will be a better setup . Than replacing the bolts with stainless steel or galvanised again it's a good idea .

Galvanising or painting metal parts every so often when you see spots of rust appear .

If it's a Polar mount / jack motorisation it will need grease and oiling , some sort of protection from moisture and so on .

[kudok]

Re: Satellite equipment maintenance

Normally i do not like big picture show´s here on Satlover´s,

but this thread, i think, is worth an exemption.

So please feel free to post pictures for explanation (but not useless pictures to highten your posting-counter)

Happy boarding!

[kalpikos]

Re: Satellite equipment maintenance

You are absolutly right @josht5

There some smart things that can help you from the worst situations.

I would like to add my own experience from my dishes and the fight against the rust.

When I bought my first dish, I saw some small scratches on the dish surface, but I did nothing for this.

After some years with the dish exposed in the hard weather conditions the dish became full with rust and now is in rubbish.

This was a lesson for me and from then, when I buy a dish I'm very careful with these scratches and always search for a scratch free dish.

Also, when I find a spot on my dish where the paint is gone and the rust is started, quickly I repair it with sanding and applying a paint spray.

Maybe looks ugly, but it's safe.

Just remember that a little scratch today, a rusted dish tomorrow.

[sataday]

Re: Satellite equipment maintenance

I have an aluminium dish which requires little if no maintenance, but my motor could do with a bit of cleaning up. Job for next spring.

[AAFREE]

Re: Satellite equipment maintenance

You are absolutly right @josht5

There some smart things that can help you from the worst situations.

I would like to add my own experience from my dishes and the fight against the rust.

When I bought my first dish, I saw some small scratches on the dish surface, but I did nothing for this.

After some years with the dish exposed in the hard weather conditions the dish became full with rust and now is in rubbish.

This was a lesson for me and from then, when I buy a dish I'm very careful with these scratches and always search for a scratch free dish.

Also, when I find a spot on my dish where the paint is gone and the rust is started, quickly I repair it with sanding and applying a paint spray.

Maybe looks ugly, but it's safe.

Just remember that a little scratch today, a rusted dish tomorrow.

Hi

You can put Vaseline on the dish it works here in Sunny Spain

[Mobley3]

Re: Satellite equipment maintenance

I would not recommend putting Vaseline on a dish surface, at best it will encourage dust to stick to it, at worst you will collect small flies and other insects which will draw birds to it, which will only lead to more damage. Best to wash with warm water and mild detergent and if any scratches repair using a Matt Paint.

regards mobley3

[thecrazybandit]

Re: Satellite equipment maintenance

I have a channel master 1.25mtr made from fibreglass so no problem with dish and a stab motor it is a sealed unit so thats ok i do check the brackets as they do go rusty if i see any signs of problem i just replace them so very little maintenance needed