Multiswitch ABCs
Pass through types:
The voltage and 22KHz tone stop at the built-in A/B switches. They have done their job by picking the
satellite and the polarity. When one limits the number of
satellites to view and then decides that 4 outputs are not enough because he wants to recorder (Tivo) at the four locations, one needs to expand the system, and to accommodate this one can add a pass-through type multiswitch. The four outputs of the first 5x4 (pass-through) that device and become the inputs of the next 5x4 multiswitch. The pass-through multiswitch is the only one that will allow the receiver control voltages for the A/B switches (22KHz too) to operate the next series of multiswitches. These are sometimes referred to as cascadable multiswitch. These are more expensive and have limited use except for
Dish Pro installations (the DP34 is a pass-through device).
Here are some names for multiswitches that are not prevalent in this country….yet. Some prices are less than half from last month.
9 x 4 Switch-X (Giga 9024) ($200.78)
13 x 4 Chess ($214.25)
17 x 4 Ankaro DK (limited to quad inputs or 4
satellites + 1 terrestrial)
17 x 8 Gigant ($375)
17 x 12 Gigant ($564.60)
17 x 16 Gigant ($672.40/ half price sale)
Prices vary from the hundreds of dollars to the thousands of dollars, for each system (layout).
Just when you think you know all you need to know we throw in the special DP34 switch. It operates on a pass through basis, works with DP LNBs, which comes in single, dual, or quad choices. If one wanted to hook up 2 sats to 4 receivers (119 & 110), or (82 &91) using a DP34 would be the simplest route. No other switches would be required. Once you surpass the two sats to something greater, or increase the number of receivers over 4, then things get a little more complicated, hence the many varieties of multiswitches, with multiple inputs and outputs. (See Goodq’s
Pansat 2500A receiver Testing manual, rev. 6 for many diagrams using 22KHz switches. There are many contributors on various hardware problems, no matter what the receiver.)
Common system diagrams from simple switches to multiple switches.:
Originally Posted by JCuesta
I have 3
pansat 2500 receivers running with (2) 18 inch dishes that have single lnb.
Stevesxm:
simple... you need two eagle aspen dtv 3 x 4 multi switches and 3 diseqe switches--------
See drawing four, 2
satellites for 3 receivers (two versions).
Drawing five is a rendition of 3 or 4 sats to 5 to 8 receivers using 4x8 switches.
Drawing six is two versions of three
satellites and three receivers.
Drawing seven is my own 5 LNBs and 8 receivers.
Drawings eight, nine, and ten are for giomania, 7 LNBs and three receivers, 7 LNBs and 8 receivers, and 7 LNBs and 4 receivers. The costs may dictate which system becomes a reality.
Before tackling these more complicated set ups I suggest a trip to the local electrical supply house to purchase wire numbers/letters. Get a card for each
satellite you have (87,97,101,110,119,121,123, 105, 148, etc). You can get some letters that work with lower digit numerals too. You will be so glad you marked your switches with corresponding marked wires going to your different receivers.
They are 1.25 inches of sticky white tape, marked with numbers, letters, and a combination of both. Mark your wires on both ends, designate a marking for each device (110/119 multiswitch) and be consistent in ports, numbers, and receiver locations. A little extra work on your part will save you a lot of headaches in the long run. One has to plan ahead for when things go to hell in a hand basket. A systematic arrangement of your system will allow you to troubleshoot the problem areas that pop up, rather than the areas that have nothing to do with the issue.
Good luck to you all……I hope these drawings can be beneficial and help stimulate the creative juices for your future testing.
__________________
Linear Mode
