Installation from he**

[Supernova66]

I just have to put this out for comment, and suggestions on how I might proceed.

Not long ago I had Direct come out and perform an upgrade to the Slimdish with SWM LNB. Tech ended up "hooking up" all of the cables in the home to the splitter. A new IRD was being installed in my office, but I did not have a TV in the room at that time. No check of the cable to ensure signal, and Tech did not want me to bring a portable TV in to check the signal.:confused:

So, as fate would have it, when I finished my LCD install with running HDMI, the TV was getting no signal. Of course, this prompted a new service call.

Next Tech came in and asked why previous tech did not check signal after installation. Good question eh?

He then went on to ask me why previous tech used old cable, instead of running new stuff? Another shrugged shoulders from me....:scratch:

I end up in my attic looking for cables with the Tech. Finally find cables that had all chopped to he** from previous techs (both D and Direct). We finally find the correct cable and get the signal to the office. Oh, did I mention that I got my butt shocked off by a cable in the attic? Where did that come from??

So, moving on. The tech puts the new SWM power supply in place and the IRD is hooked up. Suddenly smoke fills my entertainment center. Looks like a fried HD DVR IRD. Tech believes issue came from SWM power supply. Attempts another power supply and another HD DVR. Smoke number 2 IRD.

Oh, did I tell you that my 42" LCD was mirrored in my bedroom off the smoked IRD? Smoke one 42" LCD HDMI port. Thank god there are two ports. Oh, thats right, the second IRD smoked the second (and last available) HDMI port on my TV.

So, back to the office where the original problem existed. Here the tech smokes my other 42" LCD (both HDMI ports) from power shorting from cable, through the IRC, through the HDMI cable, to my TV hung on the wall.

By now the Tech is freaked out...he has burned up 2 HD DVR IRD's and 2 42" LCD TVs. He is calling the world for suggestions. The first suggestion was... "check to see that the system was properly grounded during installation"

There was NO GROUND wire anywhere to be found!

Fortunately, I got 2 new TV's from the place I purchased them from since they were within the first 30 days of purchase. A claim was filed to Directv for both of the TV's. I will call and advise they will not need to buy new TV's, but heck... what should they do for me for all of this trouble???

My first post.... and can you believe my luck???:soapbox:

[David MacLeod]

wow, I am sorry.

[tcusta00]

I know it's not really a concern since your TVs are getting replaced either way, but it sounds like DirecTV should be footing the bill for the TVs and not the retailer/manufacturer; it wasn't their fault.

After you get that straightened out I'd politely tell them that you've been through a lot of trouble and would like to be taken care of. You should be offered something for your troubles.

[samrs]

I sort of doubt failing to ground your Directv equipment was the root of your problem.

[rudeney]

I sort of doubt failing to ground your Directv equipment was the root of your problem.

+1 - and did adding a ground fix the problem?

[David MacLeod]

I wonder what in the attic shocked the OP and was it connected to the feed.

[Supernova66]

The SWM power supply was hooked up, and once I unplugged it the shock went away. I was told that since the system was not grounded, any issue produced by the system would go through the cables seeking ground. Regardless, once this was taken care of (system grounding) all went well.

[rudeney]

Oh, so it was a low-voltage shock. Like David, I assumed it was a 120v shock and that would have been a big safety concern.

[joe diamond]

The basic installation shows a sketch of a cottage with an electric meter outside and a clear line of sight.....Your installer was in a new world, installing equipment he had not been trained to use. The folks who could have done your work do not work for HSPs (for long).

Joe

[BUCKMEISTER]

WOW! And D* was totally against me installing my own dish!..........Too complicated for a normal individual to install! Mine works. :lol:

[LameLefty]

So, like, WTF? Was the PI connected backwards (red connector to the receiver instead of going to the SWM LNB? :confused:

[thespaceghost]

There has to be more to this story. First, the moment he fried one of your HDMI ports, he should have walked, or at the very least, you should have sent him away. You shouldn't let a tech "train" on your equipment.

Second, regardless of grounding, if you're burning up TV's and receivers, you have a problem in your electrical system. The only other issue would be the tech feeding the 21v (red outlet) directly into the receiver, and that once again, goes to my first point.

[Supernova66]

Funny thing, the wires were connected correctly. The tech confirmed that when he burned out the second IRD with the same configuration.

Oh... I should mention that we swept the home (only 6 years old) with an outlet checker. Never found any problems with the electrical.

[veryoldschool]

"Something" isn't right [DUH] and once that's "found" this will make better sense.

[Supernova66]

Well, all I can say is once the system was properly grounded, all of the issues went away. No more shocks, no more burned up IRDs.

[Cmnore]

DOH!

[BattleScott]

Well, all I can say is once the system was properly grounded, all of the issues went away. No more shocks, no more burned up IRDs.

The stray voltage is now going to ground instead of your equipment. It may be working now, but I would still try and figure out where it is coming from. If there was enough voltage there to give you a good shock, then you have a potential fire hazard there.

[clb4g9]

I know it's not really a concern since your TVs are getting replaced either way, but it sounds like DirecTV should be footing the bill for the TVs and not the retailer/manufacturer; it wasn't their fault.

After you get that straightened out I'd politely tell them that you've been through a lot of trouble and would like to be taken care of. You should be offered something for your troubles.

+1.....since these TVs weren't defective from the manufacturer, they really shouldn't be on the hook for them. DirecTV should pony up for your new TVs, not Circuit City/Best Buy/whoever. And DirecTV should take CARE of you.......what a mess!

[thespaceghost]

If there is stray voltage, then I don't think DTV should be responsible fully. The reason i suggest leaving DTV out of the loop is because this will come back on the tech.

[houskamp]

There has to be more to this story. First, the moment he fried one of your HDMI ports, he should have walked, or at the very least, you should have sent him away. You shouldn't let a tech "train" on your equipment.

Second, regardless of grounding, if you're burning up TV's and receivers, you have a problem in your electrical system. The only other issue would be the tech feeding the 21v (red outlet) directly into the receiver, and that once again, goes to my first point.
Trust me ;) , Swaping PI leads will ONLY take out the tuner in the HR.. Won't even create a wisp of smoke..
He's got a lot more than just the PI power to create noticible smoke..

[veryoldschool]

Trust me ;) , Swaping PI leads will ONLY take out the tuner in the HR.. Won't even create a wisp of smoke..
He's got a lot more than just the PI power to create noticible smoke..
I've been waiting for you to "puff in". :)

[carl6]

I am still having trouble figuring out what could have caused such a problem that it not only killed the IRD, but also the input on the TV. Maybe an incorrect ground someplace - an electrical outlet without a ground that is wired backwards and wasn't an issue until other equipment was connected to it that did have a proper ground. I suspect that there is still a very serious electrical problem someplace in that house, and it is only a matter of time until it causes some other problem.

[rudeney]

My guess is a defective electrical device somewhere in the home. I once had a house where simultaneously touching the metal suspended ceiling frame int he basement and electrical ground would result in a light shock. A meter showed it at about 25 volts. It turned out to be a bad florescent light ballast

[RobertE]

I am still having trouble figuring out what could have caused such a problem that it not only killed the IRD, but also the input on the TV. Maybe an incorrect ground someplace - an electrical outlet without a ground that is wired backwards and wasn't an issue until other equipment was connected to it that did have a proper ground. I suspect that there is still a very serious electrical problem someplace in that house, and it is only a matter of time until it causes some other problem.

Completely agree here.

I have a lot of questions as this just doesn't smell right.

I'd like to know how the wires were ran to the LCDs?
In wall or not?
If in wall are they CL3 rated?
Who ran them?
It was said that the second TV which was mirrored off the first IRD via HDMI in another room. How was that done?

My gut says there is a very, very serious electrial issue somewhere. Either an outlet miswired or a bad ground. Or even worse, if lines were run in wall, some internal wiring may have been damaged when an LCD was mounted. If so, there is a very real risk of fire.

[David MacLeod]

something had to introduce more than 29v into the system to do this much damage.
working correctly now does not equate to being correct.
if this has happened, what are the odds a kid will get lifted at some point when they go to touch the dvr/tv.
be safe, get this investigated thoroughly please.

[paulman182]

I know it is not necessary but I must echo, please have the home electrical system thoroughly checked.