Just Sharing This Channel Master 1.2M Installation/Restoration

[RustySpoons]

I bought a lovely CM 1.2M from CaptainJack yesterday, which I am going to install in my rear garden.
I thought i'd create a thread here and document my progress.

Before I do that, I'm going to get it looking new and last a very long time, I feel a bit bad saying the word Restoration as it's all in such good condition.
But while it's in bits I will replace anything that needs replacing, strip down and repaint the actuator/polarmount, fit stainless steel nuts/bolts and washers.
And give the dish a good clean.

So far I have bought the following: Lots of M6 and M8 nuts and bolts in stainless (I already have lots of stainless washers)
A few tins of paint from my favorite stores Lidl and Aldi, I'm a big fan of their metal spray paint, it works very well and is hard wearing and also easy to obtain.

The Polarmount will be painted a light grey/silver colour and the actuator will be either the same colour or anthracite.

I will use a vinyl cutter to make the "Andrew" Lightening strike type logo for the dish

I need to obtain the following:

A small L shaped bit of metal for the polarmount bracket, I might fab this myself.
Replacement rubber seal for the actuator (I will try 3D printing this in NinjaFlex Rubber)
Some sort of 36v motor controller, either a Vbox/Gbox, something more simple with a remote or I may knock something up with an Ardunio
A 3" pipe to concrete in to the ground or some form of Tripod/Patio mount

First thing to do this week is to get the wire brushes out with my drill and dremel and clean off the old paint and rust, I will then treat these parts and paint them.

Thank you once again Captain Jack, can't wait to get cracking on with this
Is it rather sad to say I've wanted a CM dish since I was young?


The money shot, this gorgeous thing


Polarmount and Actuator



L Shaped "Bracket" I need to replace.



Rubber seal for actuator



Paint



Technisat CX5000

 

[Journey]

They are lovely dishses.... I look forward to seeing your progress, good luck with everything

 

[RustySpoons]

They are lovely dishses.... I look forward to seeing your progress, good luck with everything

Yes I think they are very sexy, thank you

 

[RimaNTSS]

RS, congratulations again on getting your hands on this nice dish.
I have several old actuators laying around. If you wish I can look for rubber seal and send it to you.
L-shape thing I also can help you with.
Speaking about the base, I would advice to dig 1.3mX0.5m hole in the ground and fill it with concrete. Yes, almost a ton of concrete. But it will always be stable and, in case if some day you decide to go for bigger dish than same base will also be OK. Then make metal holder and fix it on top of the concrete base. In that holder you will be able to insert any diameter pipe and also, which is very important for motorized systems, make it plumb.

 

[RustySpoons]

RS, congratulations again on getting your hands on this nice dish.
I have several old actuators laying around. If you wish I can look for rubber seal and send it to you.
L-shape thing I also can help you with.
Speaking about the base, I would advice to dig 1.3mX0.5m hole in the ground and fill it with concrete. Yes, almost a ton of concrete. But it will always be stable and, in case if some day you decide to go for bigger dish than same base will also be OK. Then make metal holder and fix it on top of the concrete base. In that holder you will be able to insert any diameter pipe and also, which is very important for motorized systems, make it plumb.

Thank you, very much appreciated

That sounds like a great idea and that mount looks brilliant as I was wondering how you keep it plumb if you just put a pole in concrete.

 

[RimaNTSS]

@RustySpoons I've found rubber seal, it was on 35mm actuator buddy, so should also fit on yours. Also L-shaped piece which is not original CM BTW. Also it is not original on your mount. Original piece should look like this ..... well, with no rust
So, if you wish, you can have what I've circled in yellow on first picture. You pay shipping.

 

[RustySpoons]

@RustySpoons I've found rubber seal, it was on 35mm actuator buddy, so should also fit on yours. Also L-shaped piece which is not original CM BTW. Also it is not original on your mount. View attachment 115761 Original piece should look like this View attachment 115760..... well, with no rust
So, if you wish, you can have what I've circled in yellow on first picture. You pay shipping.

Thank you, that L Bracket will be perfect.

Yes I think CJ pointed out it wasn't original and could do with replacing.

I might have to give up on actuator and buy a new one, I tried stripping it down but it is very rusty inside and I also cannot get the pin out to take the nut off. Again this was thrown in for free, he was very generous giving me lots of bits

Have a look at this picture and tell me to give up on this actuator or continue

 

[RimaNTSS]

Yes, this actuator perhaps is older than CJ You could check the motor if it works than probably possible to restore the rest. Buying new one is also good idea. I could send you couple of actuators in much better shape than one you've got, but shipping will cost as a price of the new.

 

[RustySpoons]

Yes, this actuator perhaps is older than CJ You could check the motor if it works than probably possible to restore the rest. Buying new one is also good idea. I could send you couple of actuators in much better shape than one you've got, but shipping will cost as a price of the new.

I have tested the motor and it all works fine but the bearing needs cleaning/replacing at the end where I can't get that pin out lol.
It is not that old actually, it is a Super"Power"Jack one of those clone type things, I might just save the motor, microswitch and reed switch.

 

[nelson_b]

Congrats on your Channel master .... they are such good quality heavy duty dishes .. i have had many years of trouble free service from mine ....

the pin you mention should tap out ... maybe try warming the rod a little with a blowlamp or hot air gun ...

 

[RustySpoons]

Congrats on your Channel master .... they are such good quality heavy duty dishes .. i have had many years of trouble free service from mine ....

the pin you mention should tap out ... maybe try warming the rod a little with a blowlamp or hot air gun ...

I've got a hot air rework station in the workshop, no blowlamp here at the moment. Will give it a go.
Not sure what to do if the inside of the tube has rusted inside out though, going to be tricky to paint.

 

[Captain Jack]

This jack was bought in 2011, so going on 7 years now. I really would just replace it if it's that rusty.

 

[Captain Jack]

BTW, those jacks.... are cr@p. There was a group buy on here to import Venture jacks from USA last year - it's the big one on my CM that you saw yesterday. These are very good - though one plastic cog had to be replaced not long ago. I would see if you can find second hand ones from Thomson or Venture on eBay - they do pop up from time to time. These SuperPowerJacks won't last long (in my experience).

Or you could try seeing if you have more luck than me with that Technisat rotor...

 

[RustySpoons]

BTW, those jacks.... are cr@p. There was a group buy on here to import Venture jacks from USA last year - it's the big one on my CM that you saw yesterday. These are very good - though one plastic cog had to be replaced not long ago. I would see if you can find second hand ones from Thomson or Venture on eBay - they do pop up from time to time. These SuperPowerJacks won't last long (in my experience).

Or you could try seeing if you have more luck than me with that Technisat rotor...

I love fiddling with things and try not to chuck things out, so having a bash at this.
I've got the pin out (Warmed it up with 500c heat off my hot air station) Got the nut off but I have a feeling it won't all come out the direction I want.
I might have to remove the bearing.

I've been fiddling with the Technisat thing, I can't find any info on it anywhere.
I am tempted to put a Yagi on it for ISS/EME Stuff.

 

[RustySpoons]

Was messing around in the garden with a brush and bucket of water cleaning the dish. Spotted the top of a hose pipe adapter in the mud, cut some grass/weeds back and there is a complete hosepipe there with a tap adapter! Cleaned it all up and now out there with a hose

 

[RustySpoons]

Decided to paint the LNB arms, seems Lidl "Rim Paint" is a perfect match, I did try Aldi Direct to metal Silver Gloss (Non Metalic) but doesn't look as good.

Lidl "Rim Paint" Left - Aldi Metal Paint Right.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Totally agree, glass dishes are great, but they have weak point- hard to clean their backs

 

[RustySpoons]

Totally agree, glass dishes are great, but they have weak point- hard to clean their backs

She liked me scrubbing her back.

 

[nelson_b]

A good - Karcher pressure washer will do the job o.k. ... but you "are" going to get "WET" even with good waterproof gear on ..... ... as i found out

 

[RustySpoons]

Does anyone know what the Colour code is for the CM Dishes? Going to get some spray paint... Looks like a light grey.