SWiM16 two HR24s

4896 Views 20 Replies 8 Participants Last post by allenn, Apr 22, 2012

allenn

Discussion Starter · Apr 9, 2012

A D* tech contractor installed a D* SWM16 and power inserter. The installer connected the SWM 1 port to an 8-way SWM green spitter. The splitter is connected to two HR24s. He mounted the power inserter upside down (ports are up).

- Will the upside down power inserter cause a problem?
- Should there be a terminator on the unused power inserter IRD port?
- Should there be a terminator on the unused SWM16 SWM 2 Port?
- Would it be better to run one HR24 from the SWM16 SWM Port 1 and the second HR24 from SWM Port 2?
- Should the power inserter be connected to the SWM16 Power Port or to the 8-way splitter green red port?

Thanks for the assistance. Best wishes?

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

Davenlr

· #2 · Apr 9, 2012

I dont see where mounting it upside down would hurt anything as long as it isnt overheating.

There should be cap over the unused connector on the power inserter, but no need for a terminator.

Not sure about terminating an SWM output that close to the amplifier. Might cause it to fry. Ask VOS.

Personally, I would run one DVR from each port, and eliminate all the loss of the splitter.

Doesnt matter how it gets its power. I hooked my parents up that way, as it was more convenient to have the power inserter on the same wall outlet as the DVR.

revolg

· #3 · Apr 9, 2012

Always terminate swim ports.

allenn

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 9, 2012

revolg said:
Always terminate swim ports.

Should I use a 75 ohm terminator?

The SWM16 or the 8-way splitter do not have external grounds connected. Is this a problem?

veryoldschool

· #5 · Apr 9, 2012

revolg said:
Always terminate swim ports.

While that's always good to do, I'm not sure a SWiM without any receivers connected is going to matter.

veryoldschool

· #6 · Apr 9, 2012

allenn said:
Should I use a 75 ohm terminator?

The SWM16 or the 8-way splitter do not have external grounds connected. Is this a problem?

Is the coax from the dish connected with a ground block?
If it's grounded, that should be enough.

The PI if connected to the PWR port, doesn't care if the IRD port isn't terminated.
If the PI is connected to the SWiM #1, then it needs a 75 ohm termination like all SWiM open ports do.

veryoldschool

· #7 · Apr 9, 2012

Davenlr said:
Personally, I would run one DVR from each port, and eliminate all the loss of the splitter.

I would too.

HoTat2

· #8 · Apr 9, 2012

And why would the tech install a SWiM-16 for just two DVR receivers?

allenn

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 9, 2012

veryoldschool said:
Is the coax from the dish connected with a ground block?
If it's grounded, that should be enough.

The PI if connected to the PWR port, doesn't care if the IRD port isn't terminated.
If the PI is connected to the SWiM #1, then it needs a 75 ohm termination like all SWiM open ports do.

- Yes, all four coax lines from the dish are connected to a ground block which is connected to a ground rod. The dish is connected to the same ground rod.

- The PI is connected to the SWM16 PWR port. Then I do not need a terminator on the PI IRD port?

- To clarify, I can connect one HR24 to the SWM16 SWM 1 port and the second one to SWM16 SWM 2 port which will eliminate the 8-way splitter green label? I thought the SWM16 was two SWM8s, and therefore the HR24s would not be connected in the MRV if each is connected to the respective SWM 1 and 2 ports.

HoTat2 said:
And why would the tech install a SWiM-16 for just two DVR receivers?

In the Atlanta, GA, MasTec provides the D* installations. Like a box of chocolate; you never know what you will get. If you want to know why the SWM16, you can read my MRV setup saga here: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=203686. Next time I am purchasing the components etc., and I will do the installation myself. After 18 years with botched installs, I have had enough. Now I know what many of you guys suggest DIY.

As always, thanks for the help! Best wishes!

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veryoldschool

· #10 · Apr 9, 2012

allenn said:
- Yes, all four coax lines from the dish are connected to a ground block which is connected to a ground rod. The dish is connected to the same ground rod.

- The PI is connected to the SWM16 PWR port. Then I do not need a terminator on the PI IRD port? right

- To clarify, I can connect one HR24 to the SWM16 SWM 1 port and the second one to SWM16 SWM 2 port which will eliminate the 8-way splitter green label? I thought the SWM16 was two SWM8s, and therefore the HR24s would not be connected in the MRV if each is connected to the respective SWM 1 and 2 ports.

As always, thanks for the help! Best wishes!

While the SWiM-16 is made from two SWM8s, it also has a DECA crossover between them.

allenn

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 9, 2012

veryoldschool said:
While the SWiM-16 is made from two SWM8s, it also has a DECA crossover between them.

Thanks for the reply. I will remove the 8-way splitter. I am glad the SWM16 is good for something, because in my case, it is overkill, but the price was the same as the SWM8.

Best wishes!

Update 04/11/2012: I removed the splitter, and everything works as advertised. Thanks!

allenn

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 14, 2012

Update 04/13/2012: I keep getting 771 searching for satellite on the Velocity channel, 281, on my two HR24s. This is an intermittent problem which started after the conversion from legacy MRV to the SWM16 / PI MRV install last Saturday. The PI was installed with the power and IRD port pointing up. It was getting very hot. The upside down PI was corrected late Tuesday. If unplug the PI, the signal is restored to both receivers until I get another 771 message. There is no letters after the "1" in 771. I called D*, and they have me run a systems test which returns no errors. But this is after I reset the PI. D* told me not to reset the PI and call them. Any ideas what could be causing the 771 message? Is it possible that installing the PI upside down could be the problem? Any ideas?
__________________

allenn

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 14, 2012

Update 04/14/2012: the 771 messages are now history. The D* Tech replaced the LNB's with a SWiM LNB; replaced the PI 29 with a PI 21; removed the SWM16; and added a 2-way splitter. I don't know if this is a better setup, but the 771 messages have not reappeared. Best wishes!

Phil17108

· #14 · Apr 18, 2012

Is there a wrong way to mount a power inserter? I was surprised to read that upside down?? it was getting very hot. It is a transformer cut to drop line voltage down to 21 or 29 volts. Is it cooled with what? what inside it can make the thing get hotter in one position and not another?

Manctech

· #15 · Apr 18, 2012

Phil17108 said:
Is there a wrong way to mount a power inserter? I was surprised to read that upside down?? it was getting very hot. It is a transformer cut to drop line voltage down to 21 or 29 volts. Is it cooled with what? what inside it can make the thing get hotter in one position and not another?

Yea, signal is is affected by gravity! That is why we have to mount the dish on the roof. This way the signal can really get going and reach the boxes!

I kid

allenn

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 19, 2012

Manctech said:
Yea, signal is is affected by gravity! That is why we have to mount the dish on the roof. This way the signal can really get going and reach the boxes! I kid

Man that is funny! !rolling!rolling

I think you will find my previous post supported here:
http://www.weaknees.com/pdf/swm-ref-guide.pdf

In case reading challenges you, please refer to the attached picture!

Now I can go back to laughing!rolling!rolling!rolling!rolling Have a great day and thanks for the laugh!

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veryoldschool

· #17 · Apr 19, 2012

allenn said:
Man that is funny! !rolling!rolling

I think you will find my previous post supported here:
http://www.weaknees.com/pdf/swm-ref-guide.pdf

In case reading challenges you, please refer to the attached picture!

Now I can go back to laughing!rolling!rolling!rolling!rolling Have a great day and thanks for the laugh!

I thought this too was a joke, "but then" I looked at my 29 volt PI. There are air vents on the opposite side from the coax connectors.

allenn

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 19, 2012

veryoldschool said:
I thought this too was a joke, "but then" I looked at my 29 volt PI. There are air vents on the opposite side from the coax connectors.

No joke here, but I am glad we all got a good laugh. I was trying to be helpful by relating my SWiM / DECA MRV setup experiences in this thread. It seems I failed in this regard. I have been retired from electrical engineering for years now, and I am sorry to say out of touch with the latest and greatest.

I too had a PI-29 which was vented opposite the coax connectors. Over my objections, the Mastec Tech (in his haste and infinite stupidity) mounted the vents down which caused heat saturation and component failure. The PI was extremely hot to the touch. The results of the failed PI was 771 messages on my two HR24s. Mastec has replaced the PI-29 / SWM16 with a PI-21, SWiM LNB, and 2-way splitter. I directed that the PI-21 be mounted with the connectors on the bottom. The PI-21 is barely warm. The system has worked flawlessly, no 771 messages. I like the MRV, but I did not like the ordeal with Mastec.

VOS, thanks for the present and past assistance. Best wishes!

Phil17108

· #19 · Apr 21, 2012

Thanks Allenn, sounds good to me, checked the 29 volt PI and found it a little warm around the coax connectors and it took about 5 to turn it around. I did look it over and found no ports or vents and it has been in use about three weeks so a few moments now, needed or not is a good thing

Old_School

· #20 · Apr 22, 2012

All you have to say is Mastec... that explains everything:lol:

Chances are 99.9% of the time there gonna screw something up and make it a multi-time visit.

Don't feel bad though.. i am not really impressed with Directsat USA either... Now that i have service again everything in the future will be DIY!

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