Alright to mount wb68 multiswitch upside down outdoors?

[tk07]

Hello, first post here.

I just had Directv installed (one h21 and two d11 receivers) along with the new slim line dish and the local channels dish. The installer had to run the runs from the dish down below the deck and this is where the multi-switch (Zinwell WB68) is mounted. It's mounted upside down though, and only secured with two screws. Is this alright, or should I mount it vertically to the siding of the house? My thoughts were that water might collect on top of it.

One other question; can the multi-switch be painted or should it be masked off (the house is in the process of being painted right now)?

Also, I checked the signal levels on 103 b and they are around the mid 80s. Are those adequate, or do I need to call the installer and have him realign the dish?

I've attached a picture of the multi-switch below the deck.

Thanks!

[dave29]

i would mount it to the house, hopefully you have enough slack to do it

[jdspencer]

Although my WB68 is inside, it is mounted just as yours underside a floor joist in the cellar. Also with only two screws, but one on each end.. As for painting it, I'd mask it off, because any paint might cause it to hold in any heat. But, then it will be outside. :)

[PicaKing]

mine is on the roof totally exposed to the weather. No problems

[tk07]

I'm not sure if there is much extra slack... If I don't have enough to move it to the side of the house, would underneath the bay window work instead (that white area you can see in the picture). It would at least be secured by four screws and water wouldn't be able to collect on top of it.

[RobertE]

I wouldn't worry about it. The only things I would do is to make sure any unused ports are weather tight. Make sure that the metal terminator cap has the center pin removed. Lastly, I'd just put a piece of tape over the model # sticker, that way if any pait does get on the switch, the info isn't painted over.

[dave29]

put it under the bay window, that would be great

[HDTVsportsfan]

It looks like it's grounded. That's a good thing.

[CorkyMuldoon]

I've got mine outside, too, although I purchased a $20.00 oversized & waterproof box for it that I mounted to the side of the house.

It's a spaghetti factory inside, though!

[Mike500]

Take the two screws that hold the switch to the underside of the deck out and wrap the switch in a plastic garbage bag, while the house is being painted.

After that, take the switch out. Go to the dollar store, and get a cheap aluminum rectangular cake pan that is twice the size of the switch. Screw the cake pan upside down to the bottom of the deck. Position the switch center upside down and centered in the cake pan and screw it down to the wood with two screws.

Since the deck is not waterproof, the cake pan will keep any water from running down and into the ports and connectors of the switch.

Even a cheap piece of aluminum flashing or a foil pan like that used in cinamon bun packages sold at the supermarket will do.

[Neil Derryberry]

Cap the unused ports, tape over the model number as mentioned before and forget about it. These units are waterproof. If you're still worried get the protection plan and you're covered. Any work you do past the above is a waste of your time.

Just my opinion.

[Mertzen]

If that is a terminator on the flexport 2 you should remove it. Zinwell advises strongly against it.

[Incompetent]

HeHe... So many people might exclaim that the sky is falling.

THe main things are:

Does your system perform adequately?

Is it shielded from most moisture?

Is the system Grounded?

Is it easilly accesible?

If i have 4 or more receivers, do I have the Protecion Plan?


If you answer Yes to 75% then you are golden.

[tk07]

If that is a terminator on the flexport 2 you should remove it. Zinwell advises strongly against it.

There are terminators on the unused ports (the metal type), like shown in the second picture. Should I find some plastic ones instead, like those in the first picture?

[Mike500]

There are terminators on the unused ports (the metal type), like shown in the second picture. Should I find some plastic ones instead, like those in the first picture?


Easy..... Just take a pair of needle nose pliers and twist off the 75 ohm terminating resistor. The resistor is designed to prevent unused port loss through a cable TV or OTA distribution system. It has no use or no place on a DirecTV multiswitch.

[Mike500]

mine is on the roof totally exposed to the weather. No problems

It's only NO PROBLEM, uitil it fails. Why decrease it's life, when a few no cost low cost easily done precautions will make it last for years?

[tk07]

Easy..... Just take a pair of needle nose pliers and twist off the 75 ohm terminating resistor. The resistor is designed to prevent unused port loss through a cable TV or OTA distribution system. It has no use or no place on a DirecTV multiswitch.

I'm sorry I don't really understand :o... are you saying just twist off the center pin thing on the inside of the metal terminator, or to remove the entire thing from the switch?

[RobertE]

I'm sorry I don't really understand :o... are you saying just twist off the center pin thing on the inside of the metal terminator, or to remove the entire thing from the switch?

Like a grenade, pull the pin. No need to run or throw anything though. :grin: