WB68 to WB616

[Rabushka]

I have 6 lines coming out of a WB68. Can I take 4 of those lines and connect them to a WB616 powered multiswitch and run extra lines from the WB616? This would save a precarious trip to the roof

[harsh]

Let's start at the beginning:

How many outputs do you need?

Chaining is the least favored way of adding a multiswitch and if you're needs aren't too great, it may actually be cheaper to have someone install another WB68 with appropriate splitters.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Do you need more than 16 outputs or is the problem that the WB68 is installed on the roof?

If the WB68 is not on the roof and you don't need more than 16 outputs just replace the WB68 with the WB616.

If the WB68 is on the roof you can run 4 lines from it to the WB616 but it is best to use 4 outputs in a row on the WB68 to the WB616 and I am not sure if you will know what cable is what. I believe it will still work if it is not done that way but I am not sure if you will have any problems.

[RobertE]

Even better would be to relocate the switch to anywhere but the roof. Putting the switch at the dish is stupid IMHO.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Even better would be to relocate the switch to anywhere but the roof. Putting the switch at the dish is stupid IMHO.

I agree. I am surprised it was even installed there in the first place.

[David MacLeod]

Even better would be to relocate the switch to anywhere but the roof. Putting the switch at the dish is stupid IMHO.
is this just due to the hard access (my suspicion) or is there a recommended cable distance to use?
thanks.

[Rabushka]

I need a total of 12 lines. I could have someone intall the WB616 on the roof. I was just wondering if I could get away with installing it inside running off the WB68. One question is would it hurt to have the output of a powered multiswitch feeding into a non powered multiswitch.

Thanks for your input.

[Michael D'Angelo]

I need a total of 12 lines. I could have someone intall the WB616 on the roof. I was just wondering if I could get away with installing it inside running off the WB68. One question is would it hurt to have the output of a powered multiswitch feeding into a non powered multiswitch.

Thanks for your input.

I would not recommend installing the WB616 outside on the roof. The WB68 shouldn't even be there really.

Are you able to install it inside. All you need to do is connect four of the lines coming from the WB68 now to the dish and connect them to the WB616 inside and then run your lines from there.

[carl6]

I was just wondering if I could get away with installing it inside running off the WB68.

Yes

One question is would it hurt to have the output of a powered multiswitch feeding into a non powered multiswitch.

Thanks for your input.

No, it won't hurt anything. In fact, that will have the effect of providing continuous voltage/tone signals to the WB68, which will in effect lock the four lines to the dish to the proper signals.

Once you hook up the WB616, you can continue to use one or more of the outputs of the WB68 in addition to the outputs of the WB616.

If at some point in time it is easy/convenient to get to the WB68, I agree with the recommendation to remove it from the roof. But if it is working right now, there is no real harm in leaving it there.

Carl

[CJTE]

Problem with it being on the roof is...?

[RobertE]

is this just due to the hard access (my suspicion) or is there a recommended cable distance to use?
thanks.

Hard access for one. If your in a snowy climate, good luck getting an additional line run 6 months out of the year.

It also adds unnecessary extra exposure to the elements, which of course leads to the item failing quicker. Which of course will happen when there is lots of snow on the roof.

Also being up at the dish, odds are your dish isn't grounded either.

[David MacLeod]

Hard access for one. If your in a snowy climate, good luck getting an additional line run 6 months out of the year.

It also adds unnecessary extra exposure to the elements, which of course leads to the item failing quicker. Which of course will happen when there is lots of snow on the roof.

Also being up at the dish, odds are your dish isn't grounded either.
snow on roof wasn't an issue this year due to having to shovel it every day for 2 months. :(

[harsh]

I need a total of 12 lines. I could have someone intall the WB616 on the roof.You could have someone move the WB68 and properly install a second one for less money and still end up with 16 ports. If you chained a WB68, you would get your 12 ports. Resale on the WB68 probably isn't that great considering you can buy one new for $80. The going rate for a WB16 is just under $200 IIRC.

[Michael D'Angelo]

You could have someone move the WB68 and properly install a second one for less money and still end up with 16 ports. If you chained a WB68, you would get your 12 ports. Resale on the WB68 probably isn't that great considering you can buy one new for $80. The going rate for a WB16 is just under $200 IIRC.

I would not recommend cascading two WB68's since they are not powered multi-switches.

If you are going to use two WB68's get 4 dual power passing splitters 5mhz to 2150 (or higher) and run a parallel setup.

As for the WB616 I believe solidsignal.com still has them for about $130 or $140.

[Rabushka]

Thanks for your help. The WB68 is on the roof in a sealed box. I can connect the WB616 inside using 4 feeds coming from the WB68. I just wanted to know if this was possible without doing any damage.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Thanks for your help. The WB68 is on the roof in a sealed box. I can connect the WB616 inside using 4 feeds coming from the WB68. I just wanted to know if this was possible without doing any damage.

If the WB68 is on the roof you can run 4 lines from it to the WB616 but it is best to use 4 outputs in a row on the WB68 to the WB616 and I am not sure if you will know what cable is what. I believe it will still work if it is not done that way but I am not sure if you will have any problems.

From my earlier post in this thread.