Ugh. "bad" cable run... Advice needed!

3592 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by aaronbud, Apr 3, 2012

aaronbud

Discussion Starter · Mar 24, 2012

3 months back, I had to replace my 6 year old 622 with a 722k, because of recurring "signal loss" errors. Last week, 722k started same thing. Called Dish. Tech spent 3 hours today troubleshooting and came to the conclusion that the cable to my 722k(living room), which I buried under tile floor my self 5+ years ago, is the problem. Major problem is the reason we had to bury it under our then new tile floor was we have vaulted ceilings over both our living and family rooms. We have a 512 in the family room across a wall from the 722k. That cable is buried alongside the one for the 722k. Tech says our options are 1.)request a custom install ($$$) to find an alternate route to the 722k which could possible include drywall removal, etc. 2.)re run cable from other side of house, under carpet, etc. or 3rd and seemingly easier option is go to Hopper/joey combo. they could tap into "good" (512's) cable on other side of wall, run line for Hopper where 722k is now. Then run another cable through wall to a Joey where 512 is now. My concern is losing flexablity of programming as my wife and I basically have His (722k) and Hers (512) dvr. I watch alot of sports and use the swap option daily. I use OTA to record my network primetime shows, and the wife watches lots of primetime stuff as well. Can we still watch record mulitple shows at once, if so how many? We have a 3rd dvr (508) in bedroom which I want to upgrade to hd anyway. All advice will be appreciated. Sorry for rambling on and raving, but I'm frustrated as h&*^! Please help!

See less See more

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

James Long

· #2 · Mar 25, 2012

On the Hopper network primetime isn't a problem as long as your recordings are of the big four networks, not PBS, CW or other networks. PTA takes care of that. Your current "good" 512 cable could have a tap installed to feed a Hopper and a Joey.

My question would be how long the 512 cable would remain good. If the two cables were buried at the same time along the same path I'd consider it a question of when, not if, the second cable would also fail. Using the 512 cable is a work around ... not a solution.

SayWhat?

· #3 · Mar 25, 2012

Not that it really solves your problem, but this is why you never run/bury cable where it can't be replaced. You could have just as easily buried conduit and run the cable inside that. Not only would it have protected the cable from damage, it would make it a lot easier to replace (or upgrade) if necessary.

That said, have you tried to test the existing cable? It may just be a bad connector at either end.

aaronbud

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 25, 2012

Lesson learned for sure. Conduit would have been a good idea. Or at least use brand new cable. We simply used the cable that was currently there under the carpet previously, and I think the cable in question had a barrel connector (yeah, I know now..STUPID), which the tech said is probably the problem. I had no idea those could "burn out". After all the trouble I went to cutting a trench in the concrete to bury the cables, I should have thought it through better. We are considering recarpeting the living room, so at that time, we can run brand new cable from the other side of the house. I guess I'll just have to live with it for now....

James Long

· #5 · Mar 25, 2012

You have a barrel connector in the buried segment? Lesson learned for all (I hope).

SayWhat?

· #6 · Mar 26, 2012

I had no idea those could "burn out".

Not burn out, corrode. I've had them do the same thing.

No splice should ever be buried unless completely sealed and waterproofed.

aaronbud

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 27, 2012

I figured being buried under a tile floor with all that adhesive all around it would be fine. What I find weird is that if I set a dvr timer to watch a show, it comes in fine. But, if I try to change channels to live programming, 95% of the time, I get "signal loss" errors. After a while (3 or 4 minutes), it will come in SOMETIMES, but most of the time it does not.

aaronbud

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 28, 2012

What is even more strange, is that when a channel does come in, it is just fine. The only problem is with "tuning in", not with watching programs. I would think if the cable/signal was bad, it would cut in and out? Anyone with any insight?

boba

· #9 · Mar 28, 2012

aaronbud said:
What is even more strange, is that when a channel does come in, it is just fine. The only problem is with "tuning in", not with watching programs. I would think if the cable/signal was bad, it would cut in and out? Anyone with any insight?

Run a temporary cable over the tile floor and see if that cures your problem.

CCarncross

· #10 · Mar 28, 2012

boba said:
Run a temporary cable over the tile floor and see if that cures your problem.

After a possible cable issue was suspected, that should have been his 1st method of troubleshooting.

aaronbud

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 29, 2012

Tech did that and claimed that that was the issue. I was not 100% convinced. I had some old cable in the garage, and ran it across the floor and out the dog's door to the switch tonight, and.....it seems "better", but not like it should be. Still getting some signal loss errors on some channels, and check switch goes through 38 tests, it should only be 4 i guess? That was the tech's point, anyway. I think it something other than a bad cable. Gonna give it a few days and if it continues call dish back and have them send another tech out.

mnassour

· #12 · Mar 29, 2012

aaronbud said:
Tech did that and claimed that that was the issue. I was not 100% convinced. I had some old cable in the garage,(snip)

Please use new cable. Old stuff you have in the garage may not be any better than that under your floor.

Al Fischer

· #13 · Mar 30, 2012

Why not try to remove a few tiles and replace and seal the coupler?

They make a diamond saw blade for a tool that is meant for cutting grout. I have a Fein detail sander (expensive, but top quality) and I have used an inexpesive version from Dremel that would most likely do the job. Check Amazon. Harbor Freight aslo has a cheap version.

Many tile people use such an arrangement to remove shower grout without damaging the tile. They work quite well and this could be the path of least resistance!

tymekeeper

· #14 · Mar 31, 2012

aaronbud said:
Tech did that and claimed that that was the issue. I was not 100% convinced. I had some old cable in the garage, and ran it across the floor and out the dog's door to the switch tonight, and.....it seems "better", but not like it should be. Still getting some signal loss errors on some channels, and check switch goes through 38 tests, it should only be 4 i guess? That was the tech's point, anyway. I think it something other than a bad cable. Gonna give it a few days and if it continues call dish back and have them send another tech out.

What type of cable are you using? It should be RG6 or better. Not the old RG59.

aaronbud

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 31, 2012

Al, I have no idea where the coupler is, so I would have to tear out tiles to find it.
I am going to run a new line of rg6 around the other side of the house and tuck it around the edge of the carpet to the 722k. This is planned for tomorrow. The wife can't wait as shes getting grumpy over the cable running around walls and across the floor...

Al Fischer

· #16 · Apr 1, 2012

I understand. My wife would get grumpy too! I figured you knew where the connector was.

aaronbud

Discussion Starter · #17 · Apr 3, 2012

Ran new cable on Sunday. All seems to be working fine now.....

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.