[Chris Blount]

I've read in a few places that installing an SW64 switch outside exposed to the elements can be a bad thing. Some of the comments were about heat problems causing switch errors especially during the day.

I am going to be installing an SW64 switch soon and I want to hear from anyone who has experience both good and bad about using an SW64 outdoors. I live in South Texas and it gets very hot here and placing the SW64 inside would be pain in my situation. I would especially like to hear from any retailers who have installation experience with the SW64. Thanks!

 

[Neil Derryberry]

my MIL burned one up because it was outside. They do generate their own heat, so I always felt that it would be "best practice" to put it inside, but I imagine on the side of the house in a cable-type box would be ok.

FYI... my MIL's sw64 was in partial sun a few hours a day.

 

[Mark Lamutt]

Chris - I have mine installed on my back porch under an eave in the ceiling. It's not directly exposed to the elements (i.e. it can't get hit by rain or snow where it is), but it is exposed to the heat and cold, and I've never had a problem with mine.

 

[Richard King]

Florida coast here. I had an SW-64 mounted under the eaves outside for about two years with no problems. The unit was eventually sold to a customer (at a discount) and has been installed there for over a year with also no problems (although it is mounted in an indoor equipment rack in it's new home). Mounting outside under a covered area should not be a problem, and certainly better than mounting in a hot attic.

The SW-64 I mentioned above in it's current home can be seen here: http://www.pbase.com/image/625226/large

 

[SParker]

I have mine installed just inside the inside wall of the basement.

 

[JohnH]

Mine hangs by the cables on the third floor in a ventilated area that is not air conditioned. I figured it would get air both front and back this way. Has been working for about three years now.

 

[Lightnin1]

If I use a 64 switch, I try to place them out of the sun where they won't generate as much heat. The SW64 had a pretty high failure rate when they were introduced, but they have improved them alot. But you still need to take care and keep it out of direct sunlight. It has been my experience that cold really doesn't effect them that much.

 

[Mark Holtz]

I just noticed that MY SW-64 is hanging by just two staples. Now, tell me what isn't kosher about that?

What size wood screws should I use to properly attach the switch to the structure? Also, no ground wire. Can I just take some 12 gauge wire, attach a crip-on connection, and run the line down and into the soil?

 

[Lightnin1]

Zloth, try if you can to ground the switch to your existing electric service ground. Whether it be through a receptacle or other. I just use drywall screws to secure most of my switches. Nothing critical there.

 

[Guest]

1) Do not put unit in cable type box, it needs ventilation. Under the eve works best.

2) Do not just put a ground wire into the ground. E* wants you to connect ground to cold water pipe but we do connect to a good electrical ground if water pipe is not close. If the unit is located indoors then national electrical code requires the grounding to be done when the cable first enters the building.

 

[Bob Haller]

Do put your switch indoors. 64s are expensive to be outside. Mine is stuffed into a cieling cavity. Originally I screwed it in place, but realized with 10 cables on it its not going anywhere.

Do buy the $2 a month system warranty.

My feeling is that since a 64 is a single point failure, ANYTHING I can do to make it more reliable is a bonus.

Inside is nice in the winter it makes troubleshooting easier, and in the event of a 64 failure theres no hassle in going to my basement and moving a few cables around with SW21 switches in a system outage.

I once disconnected 61.5 when that slot somehow was blamed for DP bugs. It was around ZERO degrees and snowing at the time ME? I was indoors snug and warm looking out the window at the winter wonderland I MIGHT have been in.

Single point failure bothered me SO MUCH I installed a extra 500 dish just in case. That was before the 721 two leads became known. But I am ready for it when some $$$ comes our way...

 

[Chris Blount]

Thanks for all the input guys! One more question. When hooking up 2 dishes (1 dish 500 and 1 dish 300) to 4 receivers using the SW64, do I need to hook up both outputs from the dual LNB's on the dish 500 or can I get away with only 1 from each?

 

[Richard King]

Both.. A total of 4 from the dish 500 and 2 from the dish 300.