I am in south Manchester,had my original first motorised dish 1.5metre dish 1987 at are old property ,moved to current property 2006 couldn't have anything that size so had 1 meter dish bottom off garden (expertly fitted by Satman (clive ) brilliant guy ,worked great for most off what I needed , tacking arc 42 east to 30west wasn't used for number years parked at 28 east. I just recently retired more time on my hands decided to see if dish still worked ect , unbelievably still working even though had very little maintenance but the actuator very rusty and slow so ordered new (maybe about time done really well with it cannot complain) I think it's 12inch so because I want to try reciever turkinman 52 east ( I have removed tree that was in the way ) gone for 18inch hoping I can just bolt the new actuator to dish and track further east (without having to realign dish ?) but I have never attempted this before can anyone give me advise if this is possible and any step by step would be great , when I take old actuator should I park the dish at any particular sat to make it easier, and how do I run the new actuator to the same length as the old one that I took off ,can it done manually I read on internet someone stated to use large screw drive in the end and manually rotatate it to extend it , but won't that damage it ? sorry bit long winded but appreciate anyone who replies with advise
Motorised dish Actuator replacement needed advise needed
- Thread starter antmarco
- Start date
STINGER
Member
Setting up actuator at new location is actually pretty basic easier than you would think hopefully ......This is how i done my new Actuator arm last summer
Extend fully Actuator , Measure when fully opened out , take it back whatever the halfway measurement point will be , get your meter out if you have one ?? even a fairly cheap Satlink meter should do you likely may need a meter in future times to do some very minor adjustments ,
and manually move dish to due south for me 5W peak signal bolt at back of dish , tighten all up because your dish should now be tracking ARC just fine
you test by going as far east as you can go like 52E which u clearly want and need i have slight obstruction so i used 42E store it and if u wish set an east limit at 52E ,
then check 28E/19E and 13/16E storing each sat as u go , then try 1W if okay then store and try 30W Fully extended not much there now anymore so probably not much of interest there these days but worth setting a limit at 30W so dish wont go beyond 52E And 30W .
Do'nt use Screwdrivers of course it damages the actuator whoever suggest that clearly has no clue about setting dishes or Actuator arms .
Extend fully Actuator , Measure when fully opened out , take it back whatever the halfway measurement point will be , get your meter out if you have one ?? even a fairly cheap Satlink meter should do you likely may need a meter in future times to do some very minor adjustments ,
and manually move dish to due south for me 5W peak signal bolt at back of dish , tighten all up because your dish should now be tracking ARC just fine
you test by going as far east as you can go like 52E which u clearly want and need i have slight obstruction so i used 42E store it and if u wish set an east limit at 52E ,
then check 28E/19E and 13/16E storing each sat as u go , then try 1W if okay then store and try 30W Fully extended not much there now anymore so probably not much of interest there these days but worth setting a limit at 30W so dish wont go beyond 52E And 30W .
Do'nt use Screwdrivers of course it damages the actuator whoever suggest that clearly has no clue about setting dishes or Actuator arms .
STINGER
Member
Also i take it you have a V-Box to move the Actuator Arm and 4 Core cable from Actuator to V-box ?
18" Actuator is little light and short i would have selected a heavy 24" arm which i have on my 1.2M Dish and 36" heavy on my 2 Meter prime focus dish .
Do'nt be fooled by thinking that it's a simple swap from one location to another but since dish was tracking ARC fully then try not to play with elevation very much chances are it will be pretty close when trying to track the ARC anyhow so you have that little bonus going for you which will be a great start .
Feel free to ask any questions i'll try answer best i can but you should get dish moving a tracking pretty quickly having a working sat meter would be a huge help but Due south for me is 5W for you it may well be 1W but you will quickly figure that bit out it should not take you long to know where your due south point will be i know my 5W Due south point is using a landmark so i no longer need any sat meters : )
good luck keep asking here if stuck with anything : )
18" Actuator is little light and short i would have selected a heavy 24" arm which i have on my 1.2M Dish and 36" heavy on my 2 Meter prime focus dish .
Do'nt be fooled by thinking that it's a simple swap from one location to another but since dish was tracking ARC fully then try not to play with elevation very much chances are it will be pretty close when trying to track the ARC anyhow so you have that little bonus going for you which will be a great start .
Feel free to ask any questions i'll try answer best i can but you should get dish moving a tracking pretty quickly having a working sat meter would be a huge help but Due south for me is 5W for you it may well be 1W but you will quickly figure that bit out it should not take you long to know where your due south point will be i know my 5W Due south point is using a landmark so i no longer need any sat meters : )
good luck keep asking here if stuck with anything : )
Thanks for reply friend, yes I am tracking the arc ok all satellites I try to receive (apart from 52east. (Tree in the way and actuator reached mechanical limit ) were coming in ok ) even though I have had motorised system this long I am complete novice regarding setting dish up ect ect and generally when needed have always relied on the same installer to do all that , but now I have the time would like to have go myself obviously with the help off guys on this forum , I genuinely thought that if I am tracking the arc ok currently , it was matter off just changing my old rusty noisey slow seen better days Actuator for new one ,avoiding the need to re-align the dish (which I don't feel able at this point to do ) , I was thinking if I try place new actuator in as close or the same place as my current one
(using same bolts if possible) I wouldn't alter any current positioning off dish ? Unfortunately I don't have sat meter (like you said friend might have to buy one ) regarding my old positioner I have used for years it's old uniden 771 still working great 🤞 and after all this time I am more than familiar with it to setup sat positions and east west limits ect , my novice thinking was , if I move my dish to 1west take measurements pictures off placement off current actuator, with measurement off how far the inner tube extended and try place the new actuator as close to same as old one if possible (using same bolts behind the dish ect ) and not to touch anything else was hoping I would be ok ? But would welcome your input thanks again
(using same bolts if possible) I wouldn't alter any current positioning off dish ? Unfortunately I don't have sat meter (like you said friend might have to buy one ) regarding my old positioner I have used for years it's old uniden 771 still working great 🤞 and after all this time I am more than familiar with it to setup sat positions and east west limits ect , my novice thinking was , if I move my dish to 1west take measurements pictures off placement off current actuator, with measurement off how far the inner tube extended and try place the new actuator as close to same as old one if possible (using same bolts behind the dish ect ) and not to touch anything else was hoping I would be ok ? But would welcome your input thanks again
STINGER
Member
Most important step ,
Take pictures open the plastic cap at the end of your current Actuator taking note of wiring the 2x Reed Sensor wires and 2x Motor wires
as these must be placed exactly the same when you open the plastic cap on your new 18" Actuator Arm .
Your Current Arm should have a thick black rubber seal at the end near the screw covering the water pinhole ?
measure from the edge of that black rubber seal to the metal clamp it should be 4-6 inches mine is 5 1/2 inches for example
then when replacing the old current arm unscrew the colored wires Reed/Motor once pictures are taken ,
unscrew the bolts on the clamp just enough for Arm to slide out you likely need remove that black rubber seal then Arm slides out easily .
Slide in new arm secure back clamp fit black rubber seal once arm is in place then use the measurement that you made from current arm
from front clamp to edge of rubber seal , then insert the 2xReed and 2xMotor wires close up the plastic cap ,
Do Not play whatsoever with Elevation UP/Down there will not be any need at any time to do that .
this will mimic and replicate your current working set up and you can now check the arm is driving east/west ,
if so then see how far west you can go and how far east you go before arm prevents you going any further .
see if you can get beyond 42E ?
i myself can just lock Türksat 4B @ 50° E and channel TürkSat Tanıtım 11688 H 01250 3/4
but due to an obstruction i cant lock 52E but in your case you were able to remove obstruction
but important you let us know how far east you do get and if your dish still tracks ARC after Actuator Arm is replaced and we will deal with any issues you will encounter along the way .
Good luck and i hope my advise was helpful ,
cheers !
Take pictures open the plastic cap at the end of your current Actuator taking note of wiring the 2x Reed Sensor wires and 2x Motor wires
as these must be placed exactly the same when you open the plastic cap on your new 18" Actuator Arm .
Your Current Arm should have a thick black rubber seal at the end near the screw covering the water pinhole ?
measure from the edge of that black rubber seal to the metal clamp it should be 4-6 inches mine is 5 1/2 inches for example
then when replacing the old current arm unscrew the colored wires Reed/Motor once pictures are taken ,
unscrew the bolts on the clamp just enough for Arm to slide out you likely need remove that black rubber seal then Arm slides out easily .
Slide in new arm secure back clamp fit black rubber seal once arm is in place then use the measurement that you made from current arm
from front clamp to edge of rubber seal , then insert the 2xReed and 2xMotor wires close up the plastic cap ,
Do Not play whatsoever with Elevation UP/Down there will not be any need at any time to do that .
this will mimic and replicate your current working set up and you can now check the arm is driving east/west ,
if so then see how far west you can go and how far east you go before arm prevents you going any further .
see if you can get beyond 42E ?
i myself can just lock Türksat 4B @ 50° E and channel TürkSat Tanıtım 11688 H 01250 3/4
but due to an obstruction i cant lock 52E but in your case you were able to remove obstruction
but important you let us know how far east you do get and if your dish still tracks ARC after Actuator Arm is replaced and we will deal with any issues you will encounter along the way .
Good luck and i hope my advise was helpful ,
cheers !
Just update my new superjack 18 inch actuator was delivered today (unfortunately bit late in the day for me to attempt to change it over today ) hoping too weather permitting have go replacing it tomorrow but did have time to take it out off the box and have look at it side by side my old one which is on at moment and tracking the arc from 42east to 30west , As I mentioned I am trying ( now I have got rid off tree that was in the way ) to receive 52east , my old actuator inner tube is fully retracted just after 42 east so cannot get to 52east , new actuator also arrived fully retracted I am thinking if I place the new one as it is i will be in same predicament. , sorry for being thick but how do I get round that. ? , is there way off extending it out ? was thinking maybe if possible connecting motor wires from my positioner and moving it out enough giving me that 10/ 11 degrees needed to get to 52 east , would that it work ? If so I was thinking maybe to use old actuator currently fitted drive it to 42east uncouple old actuator then fit new one from there giving me enough retraction in the arm to get me little bit further east to lock on 52east then see if I can drive the dish to 30 west which is preferred westerly sat , any input advise would be appreciated 👍
STINGER
Member
You only need 10-12° more on East Side
when replacing the Arm with other arm it does not work like you mention above whatsoever ,
You need your current Arm on 42E to begin then measure from the black rubber to the Metal Clamp this should be 4-6 inches your current arm at this point is fully retracted as you said .
whatever this measures at example 4 1/2 inches then when fitting new ARM its gonna be 3 1/2 inches or very slightly less that is where you get your 10-12°
needed for 52E , wire it up Reed/Motor wires having taken pictures of the color wires for Reed/motor you cant go wrong ... double check your now receiving 52E i'm not even sure why you even want or need 52E there is bugger all there in Eng Language ?? but you are determined to get it and this is how it's done .
once all is secured see how well your tracking the ARC and having that measurement means you have a solid reference point to return to in any situation .
you may only need 1 inch less than your current set up 10° wont be that much and still tracking ARC perfectly fine .
the key is doing that measurement it will take around an hour to swap Arms doing it correctly like i said , you really do not wanna mess around with your ARC doing things on a guess work it will never end well .
Good luck : )
when replacing the Arm with other arm it does not work like you mention above whatsoever ,
You need your current Arm on 42E to begin then measure from the black rubber to the Metal Clamp this should be 4-6 inches your current arm at this point is fully retracted as you said .
whatever this measures at example 4 1/2 inches then when fitting new ARM its gonna be 3 1/2 inches or very slightly less that is where you get your 10-12°
needed for 52E , wire it up Reed/Motor wires having taken pictures of the color wires for Reed/motor you cant go wrong ... double check your now receiving 52E i'm not even sure why you even want or need 52E there is bugger all there in Eng Language ?? but you are determined to get it and this is how it's done .
once all is secured see how well your tracking the ARC and having that measurement means you have a solid reference point to return to in any situation .
you may only need 1 inch less than your current set up 10° wont be that much and still tracking ARC perfectly fine .
the key is doing that measurement it will take around an hour to swap Arms doing it correctly like i said , you really do not wanna mess around with your ARC doing things on a guess work it will never end well .
Good luck : )
Thanks again friend I feel a lot more confident now so basically I am fitting the arm slightly further up on on the clamp thus hopefully getting that extra thew degrees to get me to 52 east , reason looking at getting 52 east apparently free to air epl football according to guys on here 👍 thanks again for your replies
STINGER
Member
You have the plan and on the right track now ,just stay away from adjusting any elevation that is one job you really wont need to be concerned about at any time .
Getting that measurement before you begin to do anything is your main concern and that holds the key to success there is no doubt ,
both arms will be fully retracted so your only needing that 10° which might be around about an inch no need to over tighten the metal clamp just so you can do very minor adjustments + half an inch to a few millimeter 52E can be tricky i know i'd get it but there is an obstruction in the distance stopping me
but i get more than enough on other satellites so i'm content : )
Getting that measurement before you begin to do anything is your main concern and that holds the key to success there is no doubt ,
both arms will be fully retracted so your only needing that 10° which might be around about an inch no need to over tighten the metal clamp just so you can do very minor adjustments + half an inch to a few millimeter 52E can be tricky i know i'd get it but there is an obstruction in the distance stopping me
but i get more than enough on other satellites so i'm content : )
just update mate thought before replacing the new actuator would try the couple inches on my old one , and yes went why past 52 east as per dish pointer app , but getting nothing from satellite on frequencies from lyngsat no signal at all , the tree now gone but about 4/5 feet from the ground mounted dish is shrub about 4 feet high surely can't be that ? Dish pointer app states satellite visible but getting nought you mention whats stopping you was obstruction in the distance what sort distance is critical , from the dish ? apart from that your suggestion and advise worked treat 👍
STINGER
Member
Believe it or not mate that is exactly my situation too 
i do think dish needs to be high up not ground mounted unless a really clear line of sight to 52E
dish does point down a lot when its around the 52E mark but cant get a squeak from anything but can get a weak lock 1 channel on 50E and that is why i gave up on it my dish is tracking too well to disrupt the signals as it looked like i'd have to adjust elevation which was the very reason i suggest not doing it .
i do think dish needs to be high up not ground mounted unless a really clear line of sight to 52E
dish does point down a lot when its around the 52E mark but cant get a squeak from anything but can get a weak lock 1 channel on 50E and that is why i gave up on it my dish is tracking too well to disrupt the signals as it looked like i'd have to adjust elevation which was the very reason i suggest not doing it .
Apart from that shrub I mentioned it's quite long clear site not sure how accurate that dish pointer app is ? states satellite have clear line site see if can talk the miss's ok with getting rid off it , she wasn't all that keen about me cutting tree down but have come this far thanks again mate 👍