channel master fiberglass dish pros/cons, buying used.

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looking at buying supposed 4 foot channel master dish. suppose to be 4 years
old, any pros / cons on this dish. things to be looking for in an old dish?
surface texture etc. its suppose to be fiber glass. also have the chance to
buy 90cm dish channel master but dont know what there made of used??
appreciate any feed back from the folks that know.
 
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Mike Hedgepath wrote:
> The pole-mount az-el heads preclude the use of a H-H motor.
> A metal dish will more likely be compatible with a Stab, or
> SG2100, or other motor drive.

How so? My 40"x30" Primestar dish (thermoset plastic) with original
az-el head is on a H-H motor, no sweat.
____
Neil
 
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Neil,
My 84cm elliptical dish has an az-el head that fits a 2 3/8" mast. I'm
not aware of a motor with a shaft diameter that can accommodate that size.
I've seen some machined rings that slip over the motor shaft in order to
take a mount with a larger inside diameter. The diameter of a Stab motor
shaft is 54mm(2 1/8"). The Stab drives are meant to mount the dish atop the
motor drive. I don't see how the SG2100 can take a Channel Master az-el head
since that drive, and another from Slovenia have the motor shaft pointing
downward from the motor itself.
The Channel Master mounts (all 3 I own) are cap type. The mast doesn't
pass through the mount, so the downward pointing drives won't work for those
mounts. My 1-meter offset dish needs a 3" diameter mast. Way too big for a
motor drive. Since Channel Master has made many different sizes of
dishes/mounts for a variety of equipment suppliers, I have no doubt that
they've made a mount that fits a smaller diameter mast, and allows the mast
to pass through.
I can only post what I know through my own experiences. I don't speak or
post in absolutes. If I did, I'd be absolutely wrong. Congratulations on
finding a solution that works for you! I'd be interested in the specifics,
since I'd like to add a motor drive to my setup too.

Respectfully
Mike
 

Max

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Neil Wagner <oracNEWS@socal.rr.com> wrote in
news:7wkjc.9086$IO6.6081@twister.socal.rr.com:

>
> Mike Hedgepath wrote:
> > The pole-mount az-el heads preclude the use of a H-H motor.
> > A metal dish will more likely be compatible with a Stab, or
> > SG2100, or other motor drive.
>
> How so? My 40"x30" Primestar dish (thermoset plastic) with original
> az-el head is on a H-H motor, no sweat.
> ____
> Neil
>
>

hi neil, i just picked up 2 primestar dishes. if you don't mind my asking
which h-h motor are you using? and how did you mount it to the dish? thanks
 

Brian

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Mike,

I have purchased several Channel Master mounts that are U-bolt designed for
84 - 120cm dishes. Works perfectly for the motors as the mount's
pass-through bolt trues the mount to the motor post and provides a solid
mechanical connection between the dish and motor.

If you want one, drop an email and we can talk price and availability.
-------------------
Brian Gohl
Satellite Audio Video
http://www.adventistsat.com




"Mike Hedgepath" <mhedgepath@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:6Zmjc.54826$Yw5.45494@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> Neil,
> My 84cm elliptical dish has an az-el head that fits a 2 3/8" mast. I'm
> not aware of a motor with a shaft diameter that can accommodate that size.
> I've seen some machined rings that slip over the motor shaft in order to
> take a mount with a larger inside diameter. The diameter of a Stab motor
> shaft is 54mm(2 1/8"). The Stab drives are meant to mount the dish atop
the
> motor drive. I don't see how the SG2100 can take a Channel Master az-el
head
> since that drive, and another from Slovenia have the motor shaft pointing
> downward from the motor itself.
> The Channel Master mounts (all 3 I own) are cap type. The mast doesn't
> pass through the mount, so the downward pointing drives won't work for
those
> mounts. My 1-meter offset dish needs a 3" diameter mast. Way too big for a
> motor drive. Since Channel Master has made many different sizes of
> dishes/mounts for a variety of equipment suppliers, I have no doubt that
> they've made a mount that fits a smaller diameter mast, and allows the
mast
> to pass through.
> I can only post what I know through my own experiences. I don't speak
or
> post in absolutes. If I did, I'd be absolutely wrong. Congratulations on
> finding a solution that works for you! I'd be interested in the specifics,
> since I'd like to add a motor drive to my setup too.
>
> Respectfully
> Mike
>
>
 
G

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Brian,
Thanks for the info! It's good to know I've got options. I'll eventually
get around to replacing the 84cm elliptical with the 75cm elliptical for
Nimiq-1. That'll free up the larger dish and perhaps then we can talk. I've
got a full plate at the moment, and indigestion. Lousy metaphor, but I think
you can understand.

Regards
Mike
 
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Brain
Will the sm3d12 motor handle a 1.2 channel master without killing it, its
rated at 12 kgs.
I have a choice of nonintrusive mounts and intrusive , any difference in
signal???
I'm more worried about it being used dish and being warped or something,
which the eye cant see and not working because of that..
One can make anything fit and work if one has the tools, and a bit of
knowledge.
What was that saying .... necessity breeds invention...... or something like
that.
"Brian" <b.gohl@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:6c-dnW3xVuqy-RPdRVn-jw@comcast.com...
> Mike,
>
> I have purchased several Channel Master mounts that are U-bolt designed
for
> 84 - 120cm dishes. Works perfectly for the motors as the mount's
> pass-through bolt trues the mount to the motor post and provides a solid
> mechanical connection between the dish and motor.
>
> If you want one, drop an email and we can talk price and availability.
> -------------------
> Brian Gohl
> Satellite Audio Video
> http://www.adventistsat.com
>
>
>
>
> "Mike Hedgepath" <mhedgepath@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:6Zmjc.54826$Yw5.45494@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> > Neil,
> > My 84cm elliptical dish has an az-el head that fits a 2 3/8" mast.
I'm
> > not aware of a motor with a shaft diameter that can accommodate that
size.
> > I've seen some machined rings that slip over the motor shaft in order to
> > take a mount with a larger inside diameter. The diameter of a Stab motor
> > shaft is 54mm(2 1/8"). The Stab drives are meant to mount the dish atop
> the
> > motor drive. I don't see how the SG2100 can take a Channel Master az-el
> head
> > since that drive, and another from Slovenia have the motor shaft
pointing
> > downward from the motor itself.
> > The Channel Master mounts (all 3 I own) are cap type. The mast
doesn't
> > pass through the mount, so the downward pointing drives won't work for
> those
> > mounts. My 1-meter offset dish needs a 3" diameter mast. Way too big for
a
> > motor drive. Since Channel Master has made many different sizes of
> > dishes/mounts for a variety of equipment suppliers, I have no doubt that
> > they've made a mount that fits a smaller diameter mast, and allows the
> mast
> > to pass through.
> > I can only post what I know through my own experiences. I don't
speak
> or
> > post in absolutes. If I did, I'd be absolutely wrong. Congratulations on
> > finding a solution that works for you! I'd be interested in the
specifics,
> > since I'd like to add a motor drive to my setup too.
> >
> > Respectfully
> > Mike
> >
> >
>
>
 

Brian

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Sat,

I currently have a 1.2m Channel Master mounted on a SG2100 as an experiment
in motor longevity. Works fine, but I wouldn't park an expensive car under
it during a wind storm! I am not confident in the loading capacity of these
post drive motors! 90cm reflectors (IMO) should be the max. that should be
mounted on any of the DiSEqC motors. I would be very surprised if the dish
was warped. These dishes are workhorses and have seen them take incredible
amounts of abuse!
-------------------
Brian Gohl
Satellite Audio Video
http://www.adventistsat.com



"sat" <spam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:pIKdnV7_W5f85hPdRVn-sw@look.ca...
> Brain
> Will the sm3d12 motor handle a 1.2 channel master without killing it, its
> rated at 12 kgs.
> I have a choice of nonintrusive mounts and intrusive , any difference in
> signal???
> I'm more worried about it being used dish and being warped or something,
> which the eye cant see and not working because of that..
> One can make anything fit and work if one has the tools, and a bit of
> knowledge.
> What was that saying .... necessity breeds invention...... or something
like
> that.
> "Brian" <b.gohl@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:6c-dnW3xVuqy-RPdRVn-jw@comcast.com...
> > Mike,
> >
> > I have purchased several Channel Master mounts that are U-bolt designed
> for
> > 84 - 120cm dishes. Works perfectly for the motors as the mount's
> > pass-through bolt trues the mount to the motor post and provides a solid
> > mechanical connection between the dish and motor.
> >
> > If you want one, drop an email and we can talk price and availability.
> > -------------------c
> > Brian Gohl
> > Satellite Audio Video
> > http://www.adventistsat.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "Mike Hedgepath" <mhedgepath@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:6Zmjc.54826$Yw5.45494@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> > > Neil,
> > > My 84cm elliptical dish has an az-el head that fits a 2 3/8" mast.
> I'm
> > > not aware of a motor with a shaft diameter that can accommodate that
> size.
> > > I've seen some machined rings that slip over the motor shaft in order
to
> > > take a mount with a larger inside diameter. The diameter of a Stab
motor
> > > shaft is 54mm(2 1/8"). The Stab drives are meant to mount the dish
atop
> > the
> > > motor drive. I don't see how the SG2100 can take a Channel Master
az-el
> > head
> > > since that drive, and another from Slovenia have the motor shaft
> pointing
> > > downward from the motor itself.
> > > The Channel Master mounts (all 3 I own) are cap type. The mast
> doesn't
> > > pass through the mount, so the downward pointing drives won't work for
> > those
> > > mounts. My 1-meter offset dish needs a 3" diameter mast. Way too big
for
> a
> > > motor drive. Since Channel Master has made many different sizes of
> > > dishes/mounts for a variety of equipment suppliers, I have no doubt
that
> > > they've made a mount that fits a smaller diameter mast, and allows the
> > mast
> > > to pass through.
> > > I can only post what I know through my own experiences. I don't
> speak
> > or
> > > post in absolutes. If I did, I'd be absolutely wrong. Congratulations
on
> > > finding a solution that works for you! I'd be interested in the
> specifics,
> > > since I'd like to add a motor drive to my setup too.
> > >
> > > Respectfully
> > > Mike
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
 
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Mike Hedgepath wrote:

> Neil,
> My 84cm elliptical dish has an az-el head that fits a 2 3/8" mast. I'm
> not aware of a motor with a shaft diameter that can accommodate that size.
> I've seen some machined rings that slip over the motor shaft in order to
> take a mount with a larger inside diameter. The diameter of a Stab motor
> shaft is 54mm(2 1/8"). The Stab drives are meant to mount the dish atop the
> motor drive. I don't see how the SG2100 can take a Channel Master az-el head
> since that drive, and another from Slovenia have the motor shaft pointing
> downward from the motor itself.

All true, Mike, but issues which can be overcome relatively easily.
Your prior email implied there were other factors besides mounting
issues that made the Primestar mounts not usable with H-H motors.

I did two modifications to mount my 2-3/8" cap type mount to an SG2100
motor. First off, I wrapped the shaft of the motor with thin aluminum
sheet until the diameter was up to about as large as the Primestar mount
would take with the screws backed out as far as they'd go (about
2-1/2"). I did this as tightly as I could with the help of a friend to
hold the motor shaft in place while I wrapped. Secondly, after
attaching the mount to the motor shaft as tightly as I could (which
_did_ compress the layers of aluminum wrap a slight amount), I then
attached the mount to the dish upside down, so when the motor was
installed right-side-up, the dish would be right-side-up, too.
Fortunately, the hole pattern in the dish is square, so an upside down
mount can use the same holes. I knew the "neutral" position of the
mount was about 35 degrees (when the 4-bolt face of the mount was
parallel to the pole axis) and I knew where the mount was supposed to be
set for my latitude. Subtracting the two numbers, and then subtracting
that difference from 35 told me what angle to set the mount for an
upside down installation. (I don't remember any of the exact values at
this point.)

I have had no slippage (yet?), and surprisingly had to make very little
adjustment to the angle of the dish mount (if indeed I had to make any
after my initial setting, I don't remember now). YMMV, of course. If I
had known there was a pass-thru mount option for this dish (other
message in this thread), I probably would've pursued it. I don't
consider my modifications unique or especially inventive. I just used a
little ingeuity to adapt the parts I had to make them do what I wanted
them to do.

Email me privately if you'd like to see some photos of the installation.
___
Neil
 
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Guest
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Neil,
It had not occurred to me to invert the az-el head. I can visualize how
that would work. Making a sleeve for the motor shaft or using the
aforementioned spacer rings seem less preferable to the use of bolts through
the motor shaft. Just a more straight forward approach. I'm in total
agreement that ingenuity born of lengthy thought and a desire to spend no
more than you have to will get you maximum satisfaction. But the point I was
trying to make initially was that if you're gonna spend money for a dish
anyway, and you know you want to go with a motor drive.... Why re-invent the
wheel? Buy stuff that'll just bolt together and get on with it. The
reason I suggested a stamped metal dish was strictly about weight. As you
get to 90cm and larger, the weight differential between sheet metal and the
thermoset plastic increases. Though at the time I first posted my comments,
I was thinking about fiberglass. My 1.2 meter glass dish has disappointed
me. It's not just heavy, but in spite of using epoxy to repair a 1-inch
crack at the top.... I guess it's just warped or otherwise too damaged to be
of any use. A bird bath maybe. I'm not gonna waste any more time or effort
on it, and tomorrow I'll replace it with the 1 meter Channel Master. I took
it off of it's previous mast, so I feel confident that the dish itself is in
good shape. Hope the lnb is functional too. I found the glass dish laying
against a building, still on it's bent mast. Concrete and all. My enthusiasm
apparently blinded me to the futility of my desire. Live and learn. At least
I got a decent lnb (if it works), and feed horn for my efforts. I hope. I'd
like to salvage some tangible value from the experience. Scroungers luck I
guess.

Regards
Mike
 
G

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Over time, the points where the bolts or supports connect to the
fiberglass weaken.
Mike
sat wrote:
>
> looking at buying supposed 4 foot channel master dish. suppose to be 4 years
> old, any pros / cons on this dish. things to be looking for in an old dish?
> surface texture etc. its suppose to be fiber glass. also have the chance to
> buy 90cm dish channel master but dont know what there made of used??
> appreciate any feed back from the folks that know.
 
G

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Mike Hedgepath wrote:
> Neil,
> It had not occurred to me to invert the az-el head. I can visualize how
> that would work. Making a sleeve for the motor shaft or using the
> aforementioned spacer rings seem less preferable to the use of bolts through
> the motor shaft.

Hi, Mike. I considered cross-bolts to make the connection absolutely
secure, but preferred leaving the dish bracket unmodified (the motor
shaft has holes in it).

> But the point I was
> trying to make initially was that if you're gonna spend money for a dish
> anyway, and you know you want to go with a motor drive.... Why re-invent the
> wheel? Buy stuff that'll just bolt together and get on with it.

True. I spent a lazy month getting my equipment installed - an hour
here, an hour there. I got into it primarily to prove to myself I had
the skill and knowledge to do it from assorted used parts I had picked
up along the way. Now, I enjoy the end result - FTA programming from
many satellites.
____
Neil