522 - cooling fan question

[bcas400e]

HI,

I am new to all this so bear with me!

We just got our 522 dvr Sunday. I noticed it was getting a little warmer than I thought it should, so I moved it in our Ent. Center to a better ventilated location.

It seems the fan runs most of the time, the unit is warm but not hot. Is this normal?

Also, other than powering the thing off at night, what should I do if we are not watching? If I turn off the tuner will it still wake up and record DVR events?

Thanks in advance for the help!

BCA

[1A12]

I can't tell you anything about the fan on your 522 however on my 510's if there isn't adequate ventilation they will over heat quickly. Yes you can turn your unit off and it will wake up on it's own and record your programs. Don't sit anything on top of your dvr and it is also not a good idea to have it on top of anything that generates heat such as a stereo receiver or amplifier.

[bcas400e]

I hear ya!

It is well ventilated, front and back and at least an 1 1/2 inches on the vent side.

Nothing on top or under it either. I am surprised they didn't put a fan in the back that draws heat out of the unit.

Thanks!

[the_bear]

I keep my 522 in the off position (standby, all lights off) when not watching TV. It should still record in this mode (red lights go on). Even by doing this, the 522 occasionally gets warm, triggering the fan. I can only assume this is normal.

[dnsc_installer]

if you are that worried about it, go to your local computer supply store, buy you a pc fan, install it in the back of your entertainment center and wire it with some sort of switch to turn on at certain temps.........just a suggestion

[Bob Haller]

You can always add some blocks under the feet for better ventiliation.

[bcas400e]

Hey,

thanks for all the ideas! I bought some caster cups today, and plan to set them underneath the feet on the 522. At least that will get it up a little higher. Should make it about an inch or more total.

I am just concerned the thing is going to burn up the fan/hard drive, etc...

[bcas400e]

OK,

I bougnt some 1/2 rubber feet and put them under the originals on the unit which rasied it up. Since then the fan does not run continuosly. It came on once for a few mins and went off.

I guess there is a design flaw. the thing sits too low to cool effectively.

[1A12]

transistor stress

[genglish]

I had Dish installed last week, with an 811, 311, and 522. One gripe I have is probably also related to some people's heat problems. When I turn the unit off (both TVs, all lights off), the hard drive just keeps on spinning. Does everyone's do this?

I just switched from a digital cable dvr (made by Scientific Atlanta). When I turned my old box off, the hard drive would spin down after about 90 seconds after power off. Guess you might call this "Energy Star" compliant :) .

Anyway, when I want it off, I really want it off all the way, so it's not wasting electricity, and more importantly, so I can sleep at night (the hum of the HD spinning can get annoying, since I have it in my master bedroom).

Gary

[bcas400e]

Are you sure it is the HD? i can barely hear the HD even with the TV off and nothing else going on in the room. Make sure it is not the fan, that is loud! Do a manual reset, then see if there is a difference in the sound.

If it is the fan, then it is not getting sufficient cooling.

[genglish]

I'm sure it's the HD; I only hear the fan after it has downloaded the program guide info at 3am :) . I do have pretty sensitive hearing, but the hum I believe is being amplified due to the fact I have the 522 in a small entertainment center.

Gary