Need Help, SWM-8 install

[rayxxxle]

Installed the SWM-8 today. As far as I can tell, it is hooked up according to the instructions. 4 wires from dish to the 4 connectors on the bottom. Nothing hooked to the two other ports on the bottom. R-15 dvr hooked up to the legacy ports (2 lines)., and line from my HR20-700 (Sat 1 in) to the IRD port on the power inserter. Line from power inserter swm port to SWM 1 port on the SWM. Had both DVR's disconnected from power while installing. Powered up both units, and nothing but "Searching for sattelite" on both units.
Will appreciate any ideas.:confused::mad:
Forgot to add, both BBC's removed from HR700

Errol

[LameLefty]

Potentially dumb question: is the Power Inserter plugged into the wall? :)

Also, on the HR20-700, the SWM port is labeled "FTM" (a previous acronym, now replaced by "SWM"). Make sure the RG6 from your SWM8 module is plugged into that port.

[BattleZone]

That and you'll need to re-run satellite setup. The R15 is set up pretty much like before, while the HR20 should auto-detect the SWM.

[rayxxxle]

Originally had it plugged into my battery backup unit. Plugged it into the wall. Same result.

Thought I might have made a bad cable (new)from the 700 to the power inserter, so I re installed the BBC, took the two cables from the inserter, and joined them together with a splicer, removed the cable from SWM port 1, and connected it directly an input on the ground block, and plugged the 700 back in. Everything works.

Ideas still appreciated.

Errol

[rayxxxle]

The one thing I didn't do was run satellite setup. Is that my problem, do I change anything when running setup? And would that keep the R-15 from getting a signal with the inserter hooked up?



Thanks,
Errol

[rayxxxle]

Didn't have bbc's. Put one back in to go around the SWM straight to dish to make sure all cables are good.

Thanks

[SDizzle]

You rerun sat setup to tell the HR20 that you are using an SWM, and the 1 coax. The R15 still has the 2 lines from the legacy ports, so no, you do nothing on the R15. If you didn't tell the HR20 that it is hooked up via SWM, that IS your problem.

[rayxxxle]

Thanks sDizzle, I will, will that also release a signal to the R15, it is doing the same thing after reboot.

I am going to disconnect the legacy ports to the R-15, re connect the power inserter, and re connect to the SWM, then run setup on the 700. If that works, I will then reconnect the R15 to see if it comes up.



Errol

[SDizzle]

That's what I would do, disconnect all lines from SWM, reboot, then connect HR20 line, run sat setup....all will be well after that I would bet. Then hook 2 lines to legacy ports...remember you cannot split legacy lines, need to be straight runs...R15 may need a reboot after that....

[rayxxxle]

two lines, straight run from swm-8 or sat. ground block to R-15. Did reset while SWM-8 had power, still no joy. Will try like you said first thing in the AM.
House, and 24 are getting ready to come on, and if I am messing with the system and we miss those, I will be looking for a different place to sleep tonight.
If I get joy via the 700, and still no R-15, I will go through sat setup on that and see what happens.

Thanks for your suggestions,

Errol

[SDizzle]

two lines, straight run from swm-8 or sat. ground block to R-15. Did reset while SWM-8 had power, still no joy. Will try like you said first thing in the AM.
House, and 24 are getting ready to come on, and if I am messing with the system and we miss those, I will be looking for a different place to sleep tonight.
If I get joy via the 700, and still no R-15, I will go through sat setup on that and see what happens.

Thanks for your suggestions,

Errol

Good luck, let us know how it works out....

[David MacLeod]

just throwing this out, does the PI have green led's glowing inside?

[rayxxxle]

Have not looked, but will in the AM. Thanks for the suggestion.

Errol

[mangusta1969]

FYI,

I just went through a SWM-8 installation myself. My HR20-700 automatically detected the SWM multiswitch without me having to re-configure it.

I brought up each of the following receivers one by one:
1 HR20-700
1 HR21(not sure the exact model number)
4 D11 Standard Definition receivers (connected to Legacy Ports 1, 2, and 3; can only connect three of them at any one time)

Each of them was disconnected from AC power until I had the SWM-8 connected up to my Slimline5 dish and powered up. Maybe I got lucky, but I didn't have to manually re-configure any of the above receivers before everything was operatonal again. The installation could not have been much easier for me. Check that internal green light in the power inserter!

[rayxxxle]

Getting ready to get back on this problem.

Should I be able to check the end of the power cable where it goes into the SWM for the required voltage with my volt meter?

[dave29]

Getting ready to get back on this problem.

Should I be able to check the end of the power cable where it goes into the SWM for the required voltage with my volt meter?

Yes

[David MacLeod]

may have overlooked it, but did not see if you posted the PI info itself.
if gotten from ebay did it come with a 29v PI?
seems to me I read a post a few months ago where a 21v was sent and there were issues.

[rayxxxle]

OK gentlemen,

I unplugged everything, all DVR's and power inserter. Reconnected the 700 via sat. 1 input without the BBc, went straight to the power inserter IRD port. connected the SWM port on the power inserter to the line running to the SWM module. Plugged that line into SWM port 1. Port 2 is terminated. Disconnected lines from legacy ports. Only 4 lines into the SWM from the Sat, and one line from the power inserter to port 1 on the SWM.
Plugged in the inserter, and have green leds inside. Plugged in the 700 and let it go through the power up. Still couldn't find a Sat. Went through the Sat Setup on the 700, it shows the 5 lnb dish, and I changed it from multiswitch to show SWM on the second line. It checked its configuration, and comes back with "A Satellite signal could not be detected, check your installation, and re-test.:confused:

All equipment was purchased from Solid Signal, and it shows to be a 29 Volt inserter.

Any ideas!!

[David MacLeod]

when you bypassed swm using barrel connector to test coax did you also test same pieces coax that runs swm-pi-ird? iow, are you sure every coax is good?
did you place v-meter on pi ?

[dettxw]

So no chance that you crossed the streams, er um I mean connected the PI backwards, if only temporarily? I hear that's bad.

[rayxxxle]

Yes I checked at the SWM, getting 29 volts. The barrell connector was only used to bypass the PI and get back to my original configuration without the SWM system so we could watch TV last night.

In Sat configuration setup, do I have to tell it 1 tuner instead of two? along with changing from multi-switch to SWM?

[rayxxxle]

I was very careful about making sure I had the PI installed correctly, 29 volts at the SWM module.

[David MacLeod]

well, just throwing this out since it looks like you have covered a lot yourself.
was this unit originally configured as single tuner only setup?
I ask because you say took the two cables from the inserter, and joined them together with a splicer, removed the cable from SWM port 1, and connected it directly an input on the ground block, and plugged the 700 back in. Everything works.

when you say everything worked do you mean as it was or working as in ok as single tuner.
I may be way off but wondering if its a config issue on the HR unit.
from what I can find through searches swm8 failures are rare, but I may be off there too :)

its been some time since I've run sat setup so I can't remember what it says on NR now.

[rayxxxle]

well, just throwing this out since it looks like you have covered a lot yourself.
was this unit originally configured as single tuner only setup?
I ask because you say

when you say everything worked do you mean as it was or working as in ok as single tuner.
I may be way off but wondering if its a config issue on the HR unit.
from what I can find through searches swm8 failures are rare, but I may be off there too :)

its been some time since I've run sat setup so I can't remember what it says on NR now.

The unit was originally configured as a dual tuner setup, and hooking up the SWM did not change anything in the Sat configuration, still showed 5 lnb dish, multi-switch, and dual tuner. I changed the "multi-switch to SWM, but did not change from dual tuner.

I was just wondering if I should have changed from dual tuner to single tuner for the SWM

[mangusta1969]

If you are using a Slimline5 dish, it has a multiswitch built into the LNB assembly that can directly drive 4 separate tuners. I would use a barrel connector or two barrel connectors and one or two cables to verify that each of the 4 coax cables from your dish is capable of driving your HR20-700 (one tuner or both tuners). In this simple test, you will need to re-insert the BBCs at the input ports of your HR20.

I also would not use any coax cables in your configuration that have not been tested out successfully in this very simple receiver to antenna test rig. If the coax cables all check out during your testing, then I would suspect the SWM-8 or its power supply as being defective.

I don't know if the SWM-8 is capable of driving satellite signals to its three legacy ports if a SWM-capable receiver is not connected to the SWM1 or SWM2 ports, but that could be another test to verify that the legacy ports are working. Still that wouldn't help you much, since you need to get that HR20 working with the SWM-8.

[rayxxxle]

If you are using a Slimline5 dish, it has a multiswitch built into the LNB assembly that can directly drive 4 separate tuners. I would use a barrel connector or two barrel connectors and one or two cables to verify that each of the 4 coax cables from your dish is capable of driving your HR20-700 (one tuner or both tuners). In this simple test, you will need to re-insert the BBCs at the input ports of your HR20.

I also would not use any coax cables in your configuration that have not been tested out successfully in this very simple receiver to antenna test rig. If the coax cables all check out during your testing, then I would suspect the SWM-8 or its power supply as being defective.

I don't know if the SWM-8 is capable of driving satellite signals to its three legacy ports if a SWM-capable receiver is not connected to the SWM1 or SWM2 ports, but that could be another test to verify that the legacy ports are working. Still that wouldn't help you much, since you need to get that HR20 working with the SWM-8.


Nothing received on the legacy ports either. All lines working as I hooked them back up this AM to their original equipment. All receivers getting signal from the 4 lines from the dish. Also getting a measured 29 volts on the line at the SWM.

I might just go to a WB68, and run a couple of extra lines to the BR. I honestly don't really know what to try next. Looks like I might have a $160.00 paperweight.:mad:

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Errol

[mangusta1969]

Rayxxle,

I think you have pretty well eliminated all of the other factors; I suspect you have a defective SWM-8.

I'd call the mfr and see if they will accept a return from you and ship you a replacement SWM. If you bought the unit from an Ebay merchant, they should make good on the defective unit, too.

If your source doesn't make good on the defective unit, please post back here so none of us will get taken by the same source. Good luck.

So far I am very happy with my SWM-8 conversion. It solved a long cable length problem for me that was causing problems with an HR21 missing some of its HD channels. It also enabled me to use both tuners in my HR21, which had not been possible previously due to no access to run a second cable to this HD DVR.

[Satellite Samurai]

In my understand of the SWM8, you cannot just go from the power supply straight to a receiver. I was told that you have to go into a splitter first. (SWS2 SWS4 SWS8) or it won't work.

Have you tried this?

[LameLefty]

In my understand of the SWM8, you cannot just go from the power supply straight to a receiver. I was told that you have to go into a splitter first. (SWS2 SWS4 SWS8) or it won't work.


That's not true at all.

[rayxxxle]

This is the reply I got from Solid Signal this morning. I will try this, as soon as the splitter gets here and relay my findings.

"I have been told that you should not run directly from the power inserter to the receiver without a DirecTV splitter (SW2, SW4 or SW8) in the line. Try adding one in, whether you need multiple feeds at this time or not."



I had ordered one already, so it should be here today or tomorrow.

Thanks for all the help.

[David MacLeod]

I have used it w/o splitter, but worth a try just to say you did so they'll help fix the issue.

[LameLefty]

This is the reply I got from Solid Signal this morning. I will try this, as soon as the splitter gets here and relay my findings.

"I have been told that you should not run directly from the power inserter to the receiver without a DirecTV splitter (SW2, SW4 or SW8) in the line. Try adding one in, whether you need multiple feeds at this time or not."



I had ordered one already, so it should be here today or tomorrow.

Thanks for all the help.

That's completely off-base but if you do it at least you'll be able to honestly tell them you followed their advice. :rolleyes:

I've had my PI connected straight through to my receiver for five months without issue. You SHOULD have 15' of RG6 between the PI and the SWM8 module itself, but again there are plenty of reports of things working fine with shorter runs.

[David MacLeod]

That's completely off-base but if you do it at least you'll be able to honestly tell them you followed their advice. :rolleyes:

I've had my PI connected straight through to my receiver for five months without issue. You SHOULD have 15' of RG6 between the PI and the SWM8 module itself, but again there are plenty of reports of things working fine with shorter runs.
hey, this 15 foot thing might be the problem.
I forgot about that.

[rayxxxle]

Thanks to you both, I have about 25 or 30 feet between the PI and the module. I have a friend that has a SWM-4 locally, so I will get it this afternoon, and tie it all in tomorrow AM. Have to attend a funeral this afternoon.
They have emailed me back saying they will replace it if this doesn't work. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks for the advice

Errol

[rayxxxle]

Is there any cable distance requirement from the PI to the splitter, or from the splitter to the SWM module? I want to do this right, hopefully the first time.

Errol

[miketorse]

Thanks to you both, I have about 25 or 30 feet between the PI and the module. I have a friend that has a SWM-4 locally, so I will get it this afternoon, and tie it all in tomorrow AM. Have to attend a funeral this afternoon.
They have emailed me back saying they will replace it if this doesn't work. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks for the advice

Errol

Don't forget to terminate the unused ports on the splitter.

[doctor j]

As one last try on the HR*unit , Unplug , restart and go to guided setup.
Select single lnb dish and let it go thru setup.
Unplug unit again and redo guided setup again now with present settings ie 5 lnb dish SWM etc.
Sometimes letting the unit relook at swm will correct status. Some remember old non-swm setup and won't work until you force it to become a 5lnb unit again.

After reviewing everything else if that doesn't work I agree SWM is bad!

Doctor j

[David MacLeod]

iirc, and its been some time, distance requirement is from PI to SWM module itself. I have a 25 foot piece and have not had any issues there. then there is another 25 foot piece from PI to splitter.
as for terminating the unused splitter ports I have another 25 foot piece (its a run to unused wall outlet) and the length itself acts as a terminator I'm told. other 3 runs off sws-4 splitter are in use.
for testing purposes I think you would be ok not terminating, better to not do it then do it incorrectly.

SS is good to deal with IMO, I had a suspect $10 diplexer that they replaced with no problem and no shipping charges or anything. let me keep old one too even though we could not prove it bad.

[mangusta1969]

Dr J's software re-configuration advice is certainly worth a try.
The advice that a splitter is required in the signal path is bogus, as others have said.

My SWM-8 worked just fine to drive an HR21 or an HR20-700 without a splitter in the signal path. While testing, I was driving these DVRs separately via the IRD output port (and no splitter in line) on the Power Inserter. My permanent hook up drives the two DVRs with a single 1 into 2 splitter in line from the same IRD output port.

[rayxxxle]

Also, is there any requirement for a minimum length of cable from the receiver to the power inserter?

I am going to check all my wiring in the morning, then wire up with the splitter in between the PI and the SWM module and see what happens.

Thanks for everyone's help on this. If this doesn't work, I will be sending it back for a replacement.

Errol

[RobertE]

Could you post some pics of how you have things connected?

[rayxxxle]

Robert,
I will when I hook it all back up in the morning. Right now I am back to running on 2 lines.

Thanks

Errol