Another Commdeck question?

[hdtv_doc]

After much planning, I've decided to go with a Commdeck to install the dish. Now, it seems like none of the screws that you use to secure the Commdeck actually go into a rafter! Is this weird or what??

Anyone else with a Commdeck and an AU9?

[mjones73]

Per the instructions you it up over a truss and drill a hole next to it to pass the wiring down, I would assume it's bolted into the truss somehow for support but after watching the install video, it doesn't look like they bolt it into the truss. Confusing. :)

Edit - Looking a little more closely, it looks like only one bolt ends up in the truss, there is a mount hole top center and three on each side. I guess between 7 bolts and one being in the truss it'll stay put.

[hdtv_doc]

On another topic, what do people prefer? Bishop tape or Eternabond? I'm super worried about having a leaky roof!!!

Also, does anyone know where I can buy Bishop tape (tar tape) or eternabond in the SF Bay area? I can't seem to find it at Home Depot, Lowes, or Ace Hardware.


Thanks!

[Meglos]

After much planning, I've decided to go with a Commdeck to install the dish. Now, it seems like none of the screws that you use to secure the Commdeck actually go into a rafter! Is this weird or what??

Anyone else with a Commdeck and an AU9?Commdeck + AT9 (even heavier/bulkier than the AU9, I believe) here.

I did a write-up on the installation (http://www.ed.scherer.name/5018Arapahoe/Projects/DirecTVDish/DirecTVDishStory.html); perhaps that'll be of use to you.

IIRC, one screw in the main part of the Commdeck and at least one screw in each of the strut clips (http://www.rstcenterprises.com/our_products/strutclip.phtml) screwed into a rafter. For the rest that just went through the relatively thin OSB sheathing, I wound up adding some washers and nuts to the bottom (from the attic side) later, just for a little extra insurance.

Hitting rafters with the strut clips (for the strut arms) and assuring that the mast is perfectly vertical fully constrains the vertical position of the collar holding the strut arms to the mast. Lots of stuff to get perfectly right there. :)

I used roofing tar (probably too much) here and there to keep stuff sealed and to hold down once again the shingles that I peeled back during the installation.

It has been more than a year and everything is still working perfectly and no leaks. Only other thing I really want to go back and do better is the grounding; I have rather klugy grounding for now until I have a chance to run an exterior ground way down and around the house. I knew the optimal time to redo that would be this spring/summer when we're planning on doing a lot of digging and re-landscaping anyway.

http://www.ed.scherer.name/5018Arapahoe/Projects/DirecTVDish/DirecTVDishStory_files/image018.jpg (http://www.ed.scherer.name/5018Arapahoe/Projects/DirecTVDish/DirecTVDishStory.html)

http://www.ed.scherer.name/5018Arapahoe/Projects/DirecTVDish/DirecTVDishStory_files/image020.jpg (http://www.ed.scherer.name/5018Arapahoe/Projects/DirecTVDish/DirecTVDishStory.html)

http://www.ed.scherer.name/5018Arapahoe/Projects/DirecTVDish/DirecTVDishStory_files/image026.jpg (http://www.ed.scherer.name/5018Arapahoe/Projects/DirecTVDish/DirecTVDishStory.html)

[jwd45244]

I have a Slimline dish installed with a CommDeck and I don't have any of the 7 screws going through a rafter. It is also up under some of the shingles and has the two diploes in place. We just had wind gusts over 50 mph and there was no movement.

[hdtv_doc]

Thanks so much for the detailed responses (and pics)! Exactly what I was looking for :)

[hdtv_doc]

Meglos. I read your write up!!! Quite the experience... I love the trencher story! Glad it all worked out in the end!

[Meglos]

Meglos. I read your write up!!! Quite the experience... I love the trencher story! Glad it all worked out in the end!:)

Good luck on your install!

[hdtv_doc]

Meglos. One last question if you don't mind! I saw you have washers and bolts on your screws.

Where did you find a bolt that fit? I tried a bunch at home depot and they don't quite fit...!

Thanks!

[Meglos]

Meglos. One last question if you don't mind! I saw you have washers and bolts on your screws.

Where did you find a bolt that fit? I tried a bunch at home depot and they don't quite fit...!

Thanks!If you're talking about the screws that penetrated the OSB but didn't go into rafters, it was only later that I figured I'd add some nuts to the back. About the only thing that would work at that point was speed nuts. The ones I got looked similar to the ones in this photo (that I just grabbed off a Google image search):

http://www.type-911.co.uk/images/general/speednut.jpg

They're a compromise, as they only engage a single thread on the screws and aren't that strong, but I figure they're better than nothing. I just drove them onto the screws from the attic with a nut driver to start them and then (if I remember correctly) a GearWrench. I think the speed nuts were kind of hard to get started, because they weren't really a perfect match for the screws; they had to be forced a little.

I think I got the speed nuts at Lowe's or maybe our local hardware store. I really don't remember.