Dual SWM8 Install Issue [Archive]

RunnerFL

04-05-10, 04:16 PM

Ok, so I decided it's time to stop cascading my SWM8's off my WB68 and at the same time move the SWM's outside, getting rid of a bunch of excess coax run outside, however I've run into a problem.

Here's the new setup:

4 lines from AT9 dish to SWM E1 Expander
4 lines from SWM E1 Expander to SWM8-A
4 lines from SWM E1 Expander to SWM8-B

Now with this setup when I power up SWM8-A using the PI inside I get signal on every unit hooked up to SWM8-A. As soon as I plug in the PI providing power to SWM8-B I lose signal on SWM8-B. Now if I go unplug the PI for SWM8-A I get signal on SWM8-B. Any ideas?

I tried running SWM8-B with no PI, thinking the E1 Expander may supply power to both SWM8's, but no signal on SWM8-B that way.

For now I took the E1 Expander out of the loop and I'm letting my old WB68 act as splitter to feed both SWM8's and all is fine.

Is there something special about the E1 Expander? It's just a simple block with 6 inputs [4 sat and 2 flex] and 2 sets of outputs [Each with 4 sat and 2 flex]. It looks nicer than 4 power passing splitters so I'd rather use it.

Thanks in advance!

veryoldschool

04-05-10, 05:20 PM

As I've seen in the instructions, you should be able to power them both through the expander off one PI and from the expander go into the #3 legacy ports.

RunnerFL

04-05-10, 05:26 PM

As I've seen in the instructions, you should be able to power them both through the expander off one PI and from the expander go into the #3 legacy ports.

What output on the expander goes to the 3rd Legacy port though?

FYI, this is the expander I'm referring to:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=2376641&postcount=1

doctor j

04-05-10, 05:38 PM

What output on the expander goes to the 3rd Legacy port though?

FYI, this is the expander I'm referring to:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=2376641&postcount=1
This is the E-1 expander.
The PI goes into PORT 3 on the SWM itself.
Use a splitter if you want to power both SWM's from a single PI.

Doctor j

RunnerFL

04-05-10, 05:42 PM

This is the E-1 expander.
The PI goes into PORT 3 on the SWM itself.
Use a splitter if you want to power both SWM's from a single PI.

Doctor j

So I'd have to run another line from the PI in my living room out to where the E1 is and then split it? Or are you saying instead of hooking up to the Red SWM1 port to hook it up to Legacy 3?

veryoldschool

04-05-10, 07:16 PM

So I'd have to run another line from the PI in my living room out to where the E1 is and then split it? Or are you saying instead of hooking up to the Red SWM1 port to hook it up to Legacy 3?
It's the E2 that has the power splitting ports [sorry].
You can power the SWMs from the #3 legacy ports. This is how it's done in MDU setups, freeing the SWM 1 & 2 for receivers.
You need to keep the PI indoors, so it would take a coax and a dual power passing splitter to feed both SWM8s.

RunnerFL

04-05-10, 07:47 PM

It's the E2 that has the power splitting ports [sorry].
You can power the SWMs from the #3 legacy ports. This is how it's done in MDU setups, freeing the SWM 1 & 2 for receivers.
You need to keep the PI indoors, so it would take a coax and a dual power passing splitter to feed both SWM8s.

Well here's the thing... I did this so I could rip down all the coax runs I already had so I'm not about to run a new line.

Just so I'm clear here, my goal is not to power both SWM's with the same PI, my goal is to use the E1 as a splitter instead of having to get 4 individual splitters. If I end up using both PI's then I'm fine with that.

I guess I'll just leave the WB68 to act as a splitter or get 4 2-Way splitters. Dual power passing or single power passing on the 4 splitters?

doctor j

04-05-10, 08:20 PM

Well here's the thing... I did this so I could rip down all the coax runs I already had so I'm not about to run a new line.

Just so I'm clear here, my goal is not to power both SWM's with the same PI, my goal is to use the E1 as a splitter instead of having to get 4 individual splitters. If I end up using both PI's then I'm fine with that.

I guess I'll just leave the WB68 to act as a splitter or get 4 2-Way splitters. Dual power passing or single power passing on the 4 splitters?

I've not used an E-1.
It , however is similar to a MST771 i believe and one side passes power and the other doesn't.

That being said I'm not certain why you are not working.

2 other options to consider.

1) 4 2-Way splitters work great!
2) Consider DC blockers to isolate the 2 SWM-8's.

Good luck

Doctor j

RunnerFL

04-05-10, 08:25 PM

1) 4 2-Way splitters work great!

Dual or single power passing?

veryoldschool

04-05-10, 08:50 PM

I've not used an E-1.
All the E-1 is, is 4 2-ways on one case
That being said I'm not certain why you are not working.

2 other options to consider.

1) 4 2-Way splitters work great!
2) Consider DC blockers to isolate the 2 SWM-8's.

Good luck

Doctor j

Dual or single power passing?
If what you're trying to do is "simplify" your setup, then you can go back to running a PI into the SWM1 port for each SWM8.
There really isn't a way to run two SWM8s off one PI AND go through the SWM1 ports, since it has the SWM signals and they'll mix.

RunnerFL

04-05-10, 08:55 PM

If what you're trying to do is "simplify" your setup, then you can go back to running a PI into the SWM1 port for each SWM8.

I think you guys are brushing over some of the facts from my first post.

Running a PI to each SWM8 results in signal loss to both SWM8's. If I only plug one in, which is not my goal, I only get signal on the SWM8 that has the PI hooked up.

veryoldschool

04-05-10, 08:57 PM

I think you guys are brushing over some of the facts from my first post.

Running a PI to each SWM8 results in signal loss to both SWM8's. If I only plug one in, which is not my goal, I only get signal on the SWM8 that has the PI hooked up.
Check your wiring from the E-1 to EACH SWM8, since it sounds like you've crossed the inputs.

RunnerFL

04-05-10, 09:01 PM

Maybe this will clear things up a bit... Here's what I did with the SWM8's and the E1. Just imagine the 4 lines from the AT9 hooking up in the center and the 2 lines going from each SWM8 to their own PI hooking up to SWM1/PWR on each SWM8.

Sort of my own SWM16 if you will. :lol:

The loops are because I'm not really good at making 4" coax cables. :D

RunnerFL

04-05-10, 09:04 PM

Check your wiring from the E-1 to EACH SWM8, since it sounds like you've crossed the inputs.

I'll double check that next time I get a chance, maybe I'll wake up early to check them.

veryoldschool

04-05-10, 09:07 PM

I can't see the details of the coax, "BUT" about the only way to have one SWM8 be powered and have signals and then power the other one and lose signals from the first [in your layout] is to have the 13, 18 volt, 13, 18 volt 22 KHz lines crossed coming from the E1.

veryoldschool

04-05-10, 09:10 PM

I'll double check that next time I get a chance, maybe I'll wake up early to check them.
Best I can guess from your photo, is that they are crossed. I can trace the top coax and guess the bottom and they don't end up correct.

"Simply test" power only one SWM8 and see if it works, then power this one down and power the other one up and see if it works.
If each works by itself, then you've crossed inputs and they all 18 volts when both SWMs are powered up.

RunnerFL

04-05-10, 09:31 PM

Best I can guess from your photo, is that they are crossed. I can trace the top coax and guess the bottom and they don't end up correct.

"Simply test" power only one SWM8 and see if it works, then power this one down and power the other one up and see if it works.
If each works by itself, then you've crossed inputs and they all 18 volts when both SWMs are powered up.

I checked both individually before I installed it outside. Also they both work individually when they are outside as well so you must be right, I must have something crossed. I just wish it wasn't so late now. :lol:

matt

04-05-10, 09:54 PM

It is hard to tell but it looks like some are swapped around in the picture.

eakes

04-06-10, 10:51 AM

By my view, both 'pairs' of cables on the lower SWM are reverse from the connections on the upper. Swap around both pairs on the lower and it should work correctly.

matt

04-06-10, 11:18 AM

Too bad they don't label the connections :p

RunnerFL

04-06-10, 11:51 AM

By my view, both 'pairs' of cables on the lower SWM are reverse from the connections on the upper. Swap around both pairs on the lower and it should work correctly.

Well since the SWM's are facing opposite of each other wouldn't they be swapped?

Forgive the crude drawing but shouldn't this be how it is?

veryoldschool

04-06-10, 12:35 PM

Well since the SWM's are facing opposite of each other wouldn't they be swapped?

Forgive the crude drawing but shouldn't this be how it is?
That's how you "should have" wired it, but look at your top SWM in your photo, it sure looks like "1" goes to "2"

RunnerFL

04-06-10, 12:48 PM

That's how you "should have" wired it, but look at your top SWM in your photo, it sure looks like "1" goes to "2"

Ok, thanks for clarifying. Right now I have a WB68 in place of the E1 and it's working fine. Next time I have a chance, and daylight, I'll go out and hookup the E1 again paying close attention to the cabling.

Beerstalker

04-06-10, 01:09 PM

That's how you "should have" wired it, but look at your top SWM in your photo, it sure looks like "1" goes to "2"

Yep it looks like the top one has
E1 - SWM A
1 - 2
2 - 1
3 - 4
4 - 3

I think the loop in the dual cable is what is mixing you up.

RunnerFL

04-06-10, 03:21 PM

I think the loop in the dual cable is what is mixing you up.

Most likely. It should probably be a loop and a twist instead. :lol:

eakes

04-06-10, 03:40 PM

Since the SWMs are facing each other and a loop is necessary between SWM and splitter package (no problem with a loop as it makes connections easy), one group of cables must also have a twist for the cabling to come out correctly.

I suggest removing all the cables and reconnect doing one cable at a time. Start with a cable on a connector on SWM A, proceed to the splitter block and continue through to the like connector on SWM B. Do this for all four cables, each in its turn and you should come out right!

matt

04-06-10, 03:46 PM

The cable can be pulled into single coax lines from the duality it is now without hurting it if that will help.

Doug Brott

04-06-10, 03:53 PM

The Top SWiM in the picture is not correct ..

evan_s

04-06-10, 04:04 PM

I agree. Looking at the picture it looks like the top swim is not connected up correctly and output 1 from the e1 is connected to input 2 on the swim. Output 2 is connected to input 1 etc. This would definitely cause problems trying to use both swims at the same time but wouldn't matter when connected up to a switch like a WB68.